OP-D-3 REVENUE-GENERATING CONTRACTS
NOTE: This policy does not cover the contracts and grants under the purview of the Division of Sponsored Research.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY
Florida Statutes Section 112.061; Chapter 119; Section 212.08(7)(o); Section 40.227(12)
Florida Administrative Code Chapter 6C-9.013
Chancellor's Memoranda CM-B-01.00-02/97; CM-B-01.01-2/99
Internal Revenue Code Sections 511 through 514
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this policy is to set forth certain uniform provisions and procedures for the University and its subordinate units when entering into contracts with either internal or external entities for the purpose of generating revenues for and on behalf of the University.
OVERVIEW
Revenue generating contracts at Florida State University must be reviewed by the University General Counsel, University Controller and have an authorized signature. Terms and conditions set forth in these contracts are representative of such areas as travel expenses, governing law, sexual harassment and FSU trademarks and symbols.
A. REVIEW BY THE UNIVERSITY GENERAL COUNSEL
All contracts entered into by the University and any of its subordinate divisions, departments, institutes and centers, by which the University will gain a pecuniary benefit of $10,000.00 or more, must first be reviewed by the University General Counsel or designee.
B. REVIEW BY THE UNIVERSITY CONTROLLER
All contracts entered into by the University and any of its subordinate divisions, departments, institutes, and centers, by which the University will gain a pecuniary benefit of $10,000.00 or more, must then be reviewed by the University Controller or designee. The University Controller or designee shall review the contract document for State of Florida sales tax and federal unrelated business income tax considerations before the contract can be signed and executed.
C. SIGNATURE AUTHORITY
All revenue-generating contracts between the University or its subordinate divisions, departments, institutes or centers and internal/external entities must be signed by an official at the vice-presidential level or the appointed designee.
- 1. SIGNATURE AUTHORITY MASTER LIST
Each University vice president (Finance and Administration, Academic Affairs/Provost; Research, Student Affairs, and University Relations) shall require all departments, institutes and centers under his or her purview to submit a list of names and corresponding position titles of individuals they wish to designate as signature authorities for revenue-generating contracts. Upon approval by the appropriate vice president, these master lists of authorized individuals shall be maintained in an accessible records system (hard copy or computerized) within each vice president's office and within the appropriate department, institute or center office.
2. UNAUTHORIZED SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS
Any individual employee of the University, its divisions, departments, centers or institutes, not authorized to sign contracts as discussed above, or signs a revenue-generating contract between the University and an internal or external entity, shall be subject to appropriate University disciplinary procedures.
D. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- 1. GOVERNING LAW
All revenue-producing contracts must state the following:
"This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Florida and any provisions herein, in conflict therewith, shall be void and of no effect."
Governing law may be negotiated if necessary by consulting with the Office of the University General Counsel.
2. FSU TRADEMARKS AND SYMBOLS
Unless specifically agreed to by the parties, no internal or external entity that is a party to a revenue-generating contract with the University, shall have the right to use the name of Florida State University or any trademark symbols of the University.
3. FSU SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
All revenue-generating contracts between the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers and internal or external entities shall contain the following provision:
"(Name of internal or external entity that is a party to the contract), including officers, agents and employees, agrees to abide by and comply with all provisions of the FSU Sexual Harassment Policy, dated 1 Jul 98.
Any violation of the provisions of the FSU Sexual Harassment Policy by (Name of internal or external entity that is a party to the contract), including officers, agents and employees, shall be grounds for unilateral termination of this agreement, for cause, by the University."
4. BINDING SIGNATURE
In accordance with Section C, of this policy document, no revenue-generating contract between the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers and an internal or external entity shall be binding unless signed by a vice president or designee.
In addition to the provisions of Section C, above, there must be a statement above, next to, or below the designee's signature stating:
"FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, for and on behalf of the Florida Board of Regents."
5. DEPOSIT OF REVENUES IN APPROPRIATE UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTS
All monies received by the University, its divisions, departments, and centers as a result of the execution of a revenue-generating contract must be deposited in an appropriate University account.
6. TRAVEL EXPENSES
Any travel, lodging or meal expenses borne by an internal or external entity which is a party to a revenue-generating contract with the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers shall be paid in accordance with Section 112.061, F.S. Any such expenses in excess of the amounts proscribed by Florida Law shall be borne by the internal or external entity that is a party to the revenue-generating contract.
7. ASSUMPTION OF RISK / ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES
Any internal or external entity which is a party to a revenue-generating contract with the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers shall assume the risk of personal injury and property damage attributable to the willful acts, omissions or negligence of that entity, its officers, employees and agents. In the event that the internal or external entity is required to obtain any permit, license or authorization as a prerequisite to performing its obligations under this agreement, those costs shall be borne by the entity required to obtain the permit, license or authorization.
8. ADDITIONAL CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS OR ATTACHMENTS
If there are no additional provisions or attachments to a revenue-generating contract between the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers and an internal or external entity, such absence of additional provisions or attachments must be stated explicitly within the contract document. Conversely, should there exist additional provisions or attachments, reference to them must be made explicit within the contract document.
The following statement shall be included within the contract document:
"Any provisions or attachments not specifically referenced herein shall be excluded from this agreement."
9. CANCELLATION AND PENALTIES
Every agreement shall contain a provision for cancellation by the University. The following statement shall be included within the contract document:
"This agreement shall be subject to cancellation by the University or (Name of internal or external entity that is a party to the contract) upon (to be negotiated) days written notice without penalty."
Should the University not provide the required written notice and cancels its part of the agreement, then the conditions and penalties for non-performance shall be stated explicitly within the contract document.
10. FORCE MAJEUR
No fault, delay or failure to perform on the part of the internal or external entity that is party to a revenue-generating contract with the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers shall be considered a default, delay or failure to perform is otherwise chargeable, if such a default, delay or failure to perform is due to causes beyond either party's reasonable control, e.g., acts of God. In the event of such default, delay or failure to perform, any dates or times by which either party is otherwise extended to perform shall be extended for a period of time to be explicitly stated in the contract document.
11. HOLD HARMLESS OR INDEMNIFICATION
No indemnification or hold harmless clauses shall be included within a revenue-producing contract document between the University, its divisions, departments and centers and an internal or external entity.
12. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ENTITY'S SOLE DETERMINATION
If the contract document contains provisions for the internal or external entity entering into a revenue-generating contract with the University, its divisions, departments, institutes and centers to make a sole judgement, determination or exercise an option, such an action must have a reasonable basis. Upon request of the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers, the (Name of internal or external entity that is a party to the contract) shall notify the University of its decision in writing and the basis thereof.
13. SEVERABILITY
In the event that any provision of a revenue-generating agreement between the University, its divisions, departments or centers and an internal or external entity shall be held invalid by a court or administrative law judge, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provisions thereof. However, should such a breach go to the whole contract, then the entire contract is deemed unenforceable.
14. SECURITY INTERESTS
In accordance with the explicit instructions stated within Chancellor's Memorandum, CM-B-01.01-02/99, there shall be no reference to security interests in any type of contract or lease involving the Board of Regents or its subordinate institutions.
15. PUBLIC RECORDS
Any internal or external entity entering into a revenue-generating contract with the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers shall allow public access to all documents, papers, letters or other materials subject to the provisions of Chapter 119, F.S., and made or received by the internal or external entity in conjunction with the contract. Refusal by the internal or external entity that is a party to the contract shall be grounds for unilateral cancellation of this revenue-generating contract by the University.
All records, held by either party, pertaining to a revenue-generating contract between the University, its divisions, departments, institutes or centers and an internal and external entity are subject to audit by the University.
FORMS

