Delegation of Contracting Authority

Op8.05 Delegation of Contracting Authority

Section 9 of G1.18, Contract Authorization Policy, authorizes the President of the University to subdelegate in writing the authority to execute “contracts, documents and instruments, appropriations, disbursements or change orders” to University Vice Presidents, Chancellors, and other employees as the President deems appropriate. (NOTE: Independent contractors and external consultants are not delegated contracting authority under this or any other University policy.)

All instruments affecting the Board of Governors of Missouri State University, or the University generally, shall be executed pursuant to this policy or as otherwise directed by the Board. All contracts and other agreements of the University shall be executed in the name of the Board of Governors of Missouri State University and signed by the individuals named below, or as otherwise specifically authorized by the Board. 

For purposes of this policy, University resources include but are not limited to: use of funds received by the University through contract or grants, use of funds allocated from internal discretionary pools, use of faculty or staff time. University resources also may include use of research equipment or facilities.  

Subject to all applicable University policies, the President hereby makes the following delegations of contracting authority:

Bidding and Purchasing Agreements

The Vice President for Administration and Finance, Assistant Vice President for Finance and Accounting, Director of Procurement Services, Assistant Director of Procurement Services, the University Procurement Services Buyers, and the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Business and Support Services (West Plains) are delegated all authority as contemplated by University policy and Board-approved resolutions with regard to bidding and purchasing, specifically including execution of advertising authorization, purchase orders, requests for proposals, and purchasing agreements.

Construction; Remodeling and Repair; and Architectural, Engineering and Surveying Services Agreements

The Vice President for Administration and Finance is delegated authority to execute any and all agreements as may be delegated pursuant to approved Board resolutions, and to further subdelegate to the University Architect & Director of Planning, Design and Construction, the Director of Facilities Management, the Associate Director of Planning, Design and Construction, the Associate Director – Architect of Planning, Design and Construction, and the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Business and Support Services (West Plains) execution of such agreements that may involve construction, remodeling and repair, and architectural, engineering and surveying services, as such contracts all within their respective areas.

Entertainment/Performance Agreements for the Springfield Campus

The Director of Athletics for the Springfield Campus and the Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Entertainment are designated the authority to execute agreements for the Springfield campus which involve entertainers and performers. On an annual basis, no later than December, a report of all entertainment/performance agreements executed during the prior fiscal year will be made to the Board of Governors, which report shall include information regarding profits and/or losses for each agreement.

Contracting Authority between $100,000 and $250,000

With respect to agreements which involve a commitment of University resources between $100,000 and $250,000 annually, members of the University President’s Cabinet may bring requests to execute such agreements that fall within their respective areas of responsibility to President’s Cabinet meetings and/or directly to the University President for discussion, approval, and tracking purposes.

Each member of President’s Cabinetshall maintain an annual list of all such requests for contracting authority which are submitted for approval from the member’s area(s) of responsibility. Such list shall include the type, duration, and amount of the contract at issue, whether approval was granted, and the date upon which approval is granted or denied. On an annual basis, the Secretary of the Board of Governors shall compile a comprehensive list of all requests for and grants of approval within this contracting authority range, which list shall be made available to the Board of Governors for informational purposes.

Contracting Authority ≤ $100,000

The following administrators are authorized to execute any and all agreements within their respective areas of responsibility which involve a commitment of University resources no greater than $100,000 annually:

• Assistant Vice President for Finance and Accounting
• Associate Director – Architect of Planning, Design and Construction
• Associate Director of Planning, Design and Construction
• Associate Vice-Chancellor for Business and Support Services (West Plains)
• Associate Provosts (all)
• Chancellor of West Plains Campus
• Chief Academic Strategy Officer
• Chief of Staff/Assistant to the President for Governmental Relations
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Athletics for the Springfield Campus
• Director of Internal Audit & Risk Management
• Director of Procurement Services
• General Counsel & Vice President for Legal Affairs & Compliance
• Director, Facilities Management
• Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
• University Architect and Director of Planning, Design & Construction
• University Space Manager/Director of Support Services
• Vice President for Administration and Finance
• Vice President for Community & Global Partnerships
• Vice President for Marketing and Communications
• Vice President for Student Affairs
• Vice President for University Advancement

Contracting Authority ≤ $50,000

The College Deans of the Springfield Campus (all), the Dean of the Graduate College, the Dean of the Library, the Associate Vice President for Economic Development, the Assistant Vice President for Global Education and Engagement, and the Secretary of the Board of Governors are designated the authority to execute agreements in their respective areas of responsibility which involve a commitment of University resources no greater than $50,000.

Contracting Authority ≤ $25,000

The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, the Deputy Chief Information Officer, the Deputy Compliance Officer, the Director of Athletics for the West Plains Campus, the Director of Cybersecurity & Enterprise Systems, the Director of Campus Recreation, the Director of the Plaster Student Union, and the General Manager of Ozarks Public Broadcasting are designated the authority to execute any and all agreements within their respective areas of authority with a commitment of University resources of no greater than $25,000. 

Contracting Authority ≤ $5,000

The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Support & Opportunity Services, the Director of Assessment, the Director of Citizenship and Service Learning, the Director of Distance Programs and Policy, the Director of the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, the Director of Institutional Research, and the Directors and Associate Directors within the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Marketing and Communications (unless otherwise specifically addressed in another section within this policy), and the Registrar are designated the authority to execute any and all agreements within their respective areas of responsibility with a commitment of University resources of no greater than $5,000. 

Grants, Contracts, and/or Other Sponsored Research Agreements

All proposals for grants, contracts, and/or other sponsored research agreements must be processed through the Office of Research Administration pursuant to University policy. The Vice President for Community and Global Partnerships is hereby delegated the exclusive authority to execute any and all agreements involving grants, contracts, and sponsored research agreements.

JVIC and eFactory Leases

The Associate Vice President for Economic Development is delegated the authority to execute any and all short-term leases (defined as having a duration of 24 months or less) whereby the University is leasing space at JVIC or the eFactory to a third-party.

Contracts involving the Purchase of Goods or Services for Health and Wellness Services and/or the Missouri State Bookstore

Notwithstanding any other contracting authority limits set forth in this policy, the Vice President of Student Affairs is designated the authority to execute any and all agreements for the purchase of goods or services for use by Health and Wellness Services and/or the Missouri State Bookstore. Further, the Vice President of Student Affairs may subdelegate such signatory authority to the Director of the Magers Health and Wellness Center and/or Director of the Missouri State Bookstore.

Cooperative Agreements for Clinical Education Experiences

The Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Chancellor of the West Plains campus, the Chief Academic Strategy Officer, Associate Provosts, College Deans (all), the Dean of the Graduate College, and the Dean of the Library are delegated the authority to execute any and all cooperative/affiliation agreements for student clinical educational experiences, consistent with the financial contracting authority thresholds set forth above.

Cooperative Agreements for International Partnerships

The Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Chancellor of the West Plains campus, the Chief Academic Strategy Officer, Associate Provosts, College Deans of the Springfield Campus (all), the Dean of the Graduate College, the Dean of the Library, and the Vice President for Community and Global Partnerships are delegated the authority to execute cooperative/affiliation agreements (e.g., Memorandums of Understanding, Memorandums of Agreement, etc.) for international partnerships, provided that such agreements do not include monetary or other resource considerations.

In the event that a proposed cooperative agreement for an international partnership includes monetary or other resource considerations, authority to execute such agreements is delegated only to the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Community and Global Partnerships. Moreover, if the proposed agreement involves a commitment of University resources, such delegation of authority is subject to the financial thresholds otherwise specified for the above-referenced positions in this policy (e.g., up to $100,000 for the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or the Vice President for Community and Global Partnerships).

Agreements Non-Binding If Executed Outside the Scope of Board Authority or this Policy

No contract or other instrument or agreement which has not been authorized by the Board of Governors or the President and executed as provided by this policy, or in a manner specifically provided and directed by the Board, shall be binding upon the Board of Governors.

Duration and Effect of Policy of Delegation

The delegation includes successors (including interim successors) to the named positions.  This delegation shall in no way be construed to limit the authority of the Board of Governors or the President to specifically authorize or delegate authority to the Vice President or any other officer in specific circumstance.