As part of our commitment to operational excellence and transparency, we have updated Policy 810: Signature & Approval Authority for Contracts.
The revised policy makes the signature and approval process clearer and:
- Includes simplified language to support consistent application
- Introduces a delegated authority table that explains which official has authority to approve a contract, depending on its subject matter and amount
- Describes required delegation training and forms
- Requires users to submit certain contracts through CounselLink for review
This important update is the result of a collaborative effort across multiple offices, including Operations, Finance & Support, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Research, the Office of the Provost, and the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.
Feedback from the Executive Compliance Committee and campus leaders also helped shape the policy.
For questions regarding procurement, please contact procurement@rice.edu.
For questions concerning the delegation process within your division, please contact your division’s primary contact listed in the delegated authority table, or reach out to the Office of General Counsel at legal@rice.edu or (713) 348-5237.
For questions about CounselLink, please visit the Office of General Counsel’s Contract and Intake System website, register for training, or call (713) 348-5237.
Thank you for your partnership as we work together to strengthen our university’s operational foundation.