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Legal Review of Contracts

The University of North Texas System Rules of the Board of Regents (“Regents Rules”) set forth the System-wide policy regarding legal review of contracts and agreements. "Regents Rule 03.906 Delegation of Authority for Contracts and Agreements" exempts certain contracts from individualized legal review, and is essentially in two parts: (1) an exemption from individualized legal review for approved standard form agreements, and (2) an exemption from legal review for contracts and agreements that meet criteria published annually by the Office of General Counsel (“Criteria for Exemption”). Annual revision and publication of the Criteria for Exemption will provide flexibility to the institutions and to the System Administration by allowing modifications that may expand or retract the scope of the Criteria for Exemption as appropriate, without seeking additional Board of Regents approval. The Board of Regents and the Chancellor, as well as the Presidents and their administrations will be provided an opportunity to review and consider the Criteria for Exemption annually prior to its publication and implementation.

Criteria for Exemption from Legal Review

Beginning January 1, 2021, the following contracts and agreements will not require individualized legal review pursuant to Regents Rule 03.910.3:

Purchasing Contracts

  1. Purchasing contracts with a value at or below $100,000, except that legal review is required for all purchasing contracts directly related to clinical services.
  2. State of Texas TXMAS and DIR contracts and TIPS purchasing cooperative contracts, provided no additional legal terms and conditions are included.
  3. Credit applications otherwise approved by institution purchasing departments.
  4. Amendments, modifications, renewals, and/or extensions to an existing contract for the purchase or license of library materials when the revision is limited to:
    1. An extension of the term;
    2. A change in the cost of the contract; and/or
    3. The addition or subtraction of titles or other service.

Sponsored Project Agreements and Grants

  1. Sponsored Project Agreements, Grants and Sub-Awards with a value at or below $500,000, except that legal review is required for all contracts directly related to clinical services.
  2. Contracts and subcontracts using Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) forms, provided the standard FDP terms and conditions have not been modified or amended.
  3. Sponsored Project Agreements and Grants with the federal government on official federal government forms.
  4. Sponsored Project Agreements and Grants with Texas state agencies and political subdivisions.
  5. Amendments, modifications, renewals, and/or extensions to an existing sponsored project/grant agreement when the revision is limited to:
    1. An extension of the term;
    2. A change in the overall cost of the agreement;
    3. A non-substantive change; and/or
    4. A change to correct clerical error.
  6. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements.
  7. Material Transfer Agreements.

Academic Agreements

  1. Articulation, dual credit, and student exchange agreements.
  2. Domestic academic affiliation agreements.

Advancement Agreements

  1. Gift agreements or amendments to gift agreements for the gift of cash, cash equivalents, or personal property unless Board of Regents approval is required.

Publishing Agreements

  1. UNT Press or UNT Libraries Scholarly Publishing Services publishing agreements with a value below $1,000,000.

Revenue Agreements

  1. Contracts, agreements, extensions, and amendments that generate $100,000 or less of revenue for the System or an Institution during the term of the agreement and any extension or amendment, except that legal review is required for all contracts directly related to clinical services.

Standard Addendum

The Office of General Counsel has created a Standard Addendum that can be attached to any contract between third parties and the System or an Institution. By having both parties to a contract sign the Standard Addendum, the clauses contained within the Standard Addendum will be incorporated into the contract, ensuring compliance with state of Texas contracting requirements. Please see the section on State Contracting Requirements on this website or located at page 14 of the Contracting Handbook for more information.

Click to download the Standard Addendum for each institution: