• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Application
• Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards
• Section 5 - Management Across Contract Lifecycle
• Section 6 - Risk Management
• Section 7 - Standard Terms and Conditions
• Section 8 - Legal Review Prior to Executing Contracts
• Section 9 - Performance Monitoring and Periodic Review
• Section 10 - Records Management
• Section 11 - Use of Digital Signatures
• Section 12 - Contract Variations
• Section 13 - Contract Dispute Management
• Section 14 - Delegations

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy establishes a University-wide governance framework for managing contracts, agreements, deeds and Memorandum of understanding (MOU)s with parties external to the University (collectively referred to in this Policy as “contracts”). Contracts must be entered into, and managed effectively, by appropriately delegated officers following due consideration of risks, value, benefits, accountabilities, and alignment with QUT's strategic vision, strategies and plans.

(2) Contracts entered into on behalf of QUT must be executed and administered in a way that:

1. identifies and manages risks;
2. maximises the value and benefits for QUT;
3. incorporates best practice management in terms of probity, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness;
4. is consistent with legislation and standards, QUT policies and procedures and QUT's compliance obligations; and
5. utilises QUT’s corporate contract management system, QUT Contracts, to initiate development of business requirements and manage performance of obligations.

(3) Certain deeds have specific execution requirements as detailed in QUT Seal Policy.

(4) QUT manages Contracts in accordance with Commonwealth legislation relating to foreign arrangements, foreign influence and other statutory obligations. This Policy should be read in conjunction with the procedures for Foreign Arrangements and Foreign Interference and Influence in the Digital Workplace (QUT staff access only).

Section 2 - Application

(5) This Policy applies to:

1. all relevant QUT officers or employees involved in any stage of the negotiation, execution and management of contracts on behalf of QUT; and
2. all contracts with external parties entered into by QUT, regardless of their form.

(6) This Policy does not apply to contracts for employment of staff which are addressed separately under the relevant Human Resources policies and enterprise agreements. It will also not normally apply to contracts between QUT and students.

Section 3 - Roles and Responsibilities

Section 4 - Relationship to TEQSA Threshold Standards

(7) This Policy assists the University to satisfy the provision of standards within 6.2 Corporate Monitoring and Accountability, specifically Standard 6.2(1)(a) of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, to “comply with the requirements of the legislation under which the provider is established, recognised or incorporated, any other legislative requirements and the entity’s constitution or equivalent.”

Section 5 - Management Across Contract Lifecycle

(8) The set-up, management and close-out of a contract must be undertaken in accordance with the QUT Contract Management Framework and documented using QUT Contracts, where appropriate. The QUT Contract Management Framework provides information on the best practice administration of contracts across their lifecycle.

Section 6 - Risk Management

(9) An analysis of risks and benefits must be undertaken by the Contract Manager prior to entering into a contract, in accordance with QUT’s Risk Management Policy and Enterprise Risk Management document (QUT staff access only).

(10) It is the responsibility of the Contract Signing Delegate to ensure that the following risk management considerations have been addressed:

1. The adequacy of QUT's insurance provisions, including coverage for indemnities;
2. QUT’s requirements are clearly scoped and documented in writing;
3. an expiry or termination date is specified, or a timeframe is specified after which a review will be undertaken;
4. operational, workload, space, Human Resources or Health, Safety and Environment impacts for relevant areas of QUT;
5. consideration of any privacy risks over the life of the contract, in accordance with the Information Privacy Policy;
6. consideration of any confidentiality and/or commercial-in-confidence requirements;
7. any reputational risks to QUT if the contract fails for any reason, or any impacts on other potential suppliers, partners or collaborators by virtue of the contract;
8. the need for due diligence checks in relation to the other party/ies to the contract;
9. the documents to be signed are in an appropriate form, comply with any legal formalities and contain standard terms and conditions (where applicable), and
10. Legal Services has been consulted in relation to non-standard QUT contracts, standard QUT contracts that have been amended and any third party contracts.

(11) The designated Contract Manager must undertake continuous evaluation of risk over the life of the contract.

(12) Prior to entering into a contract, all types of contracts (research and other) with foreign entities must be assessed in terms of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018, the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018  and the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 by the Contract Manager. Guidance for staff negotiating, developing or renewing a contract with a foreign entity or overseas university is provided in the Foreign Arrangements (QUT staff access only) and advice may be sought from the Office of the Vice-President Engagement and Chief Marketing Officer.

Section 7 - Standard Terms and Conditions

(13) Where possible, contracts should contain standard QUT terms and conditions to aid interpretation and to ensure all relevant matters are addressed. The use of non-standard terms and conditions must be accepted by the Contract Signing Delegate following review by and consultation with Legal Services.

(14) Depending on the nature of the contract, a number of resources are available for consultation, including:

1. a suite of QUT standard contracts maintained by Legal Services (including Research Contracts);
2. QUT standard purchase order terms and conditions;
3. capital works and building maintenance;
4. ICT contracts, including Queensland Information Technology Contracting framework (QITC).

Section 8 - Legal Review Prior to Executing Contracts

(15) Prior to executing contracts, Contract Managers must seek legal advice from Legal Services where:

1. significant, complex or high-risk legal issues are involved;
2. the other party has proposed non-standard or non-QUT mandated terms and conditions;
3. amendments to QUT contracts are proposed;
4. it is not clear whether the proposed contract is legally binding or requires formalities for execution;
5. the contract contains a clause in which QUT indemnifies third parties; or
6. the contract value is significant.

(16) Where necessary, Contract Managers should seek advice on procurement procedures from Finance Business Solutions or insurance matters from Human Resources.

Section 9 - Performance Monitoring and Periodic Review

(17) The Contract Manager must ensure that the contract is monitored and reviewed periodically over its term. A contract must be reviewed:

1. following any request to vary the original terms;
2. following any changes to the risk assessment during the term;
3. no less than three to six months prior to expiry;
4. at regular intervals (and no less than once every contract term period), for perpetual contracts;
5. where applicable, prior to entering any extension period.

(18) A review should not only consider the performance of parties against specified key performance indicators or performance milestones, but also the performance of the contract against the values and benefits planned for QUT.

(19) A checklist to assist Contract Managers in analysing and monitoring progress of the contract can be found in the QUT Contract Management Framework.

Section 10 - Records Management

(20) The Contract Manager is responsible for ensuring that appropriate and comprehensive records of a contract, the process of assessing and negotiating a contract, and copies of all relevant correspondence including records relating to variations, terminations, disputes and any reporting required as part of the terms of the contract are created and kept, consistent with QUT’s Records Governance Policy.

(21) These records must be stored in the University’s corporate recordkeeping system, QRecords. Records stored in QUT Contracts will automatically be saved in QRecords.

(22) Further details on maintaining appropriate records can be found in the QUT Contract Management Framework.

Section 11 - Use of Digital Signatures

(23) QUT will accept digital signature in the execution of contracts, provided that the use of the digital signature is in accordance with applicable State and Commonwealth legislation, including in respect of electronic transactions.

(24) Further details on digital signatures can be found in QUT Contract Management Framework.

Section 12 - Contract Variations

(25) Any variation to the terms and conditions of a contract must be approved by the Contract Signing Delegate.

(26) A variation of a contract must be approved by the original Contract Signing Delegate and Financial Delegate. Where a variation to a contract results in the total financial value exceeding the original financial delegate’s authorised delegation amount, approval must be escalated to the next highest Financial Delegate (Register of Authorities and Delegations (QUT staff access only)).

Section 13 - Contract Dispute Management

(27) Any disagreement about a contract should be promptly identified and addressed by the Contract Manager to facilitate an early resolution between both parties, on advice from Legal Services where required.

(28) A disagreement that cannot be resolved at the local level must be escalated to Legal Services. Legal Services in consultation with the Contract Signing Delegate, are responsible for initiating, where necessary, formal dispute resolution proceedings.

Section 14 - Delegations

(29) Refer to the Register of Authorities and Delegations (Schedule B – Contracts and Agreements) (QUT staff access only).