University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: Contracting Authority and Review
Policy Number: LR 202.4
Original Effective Date: November 21, 1975
Most Recent Revised Date: June 16, 2026
Policy
I. Purpose
This policy is in furtherance of Board of Trustees Policy 300.1 and University of Arkansas Systemwide Policy and Procedure (UASP) 300.1 on contracting authority. Consistent with these governing policies, LR 202.4 describes the process for delegation of contracting authority, legal review, and execution of contracts specific to UA Little Rock.
II. Contracting Authority and Subdelegation
As provided by Board Policy 300.1 and UASP 300.1, the authority to contract for UA Little Rock in the name of the Board of Trustees is generally reserved to the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (VCFA), subject to more specific policies and applicable law. The Chancellor may generally enter into any contract for UA Little Rock except where Board Policy reserves that authority to the System President, and the VCFA may enter into contracts for UA Little Rock valued at $250,000 or less.
In the absence of a subdelegation of authority as described below, no other UA Little Rock employees may execute a contract purporting to bind the University or any department, unit, or component of the University. Contracts signed by any person who lacks contracting authority under Board Policy 300.1, UASP 300.1, or applicable law, are not binding. These restrictions apply to all agreements purporting to have binding legal effect between UA Little Rock and third parties, regardless of the name assigned to the document or its form.
Board Policy 300.1 and UASP 300.1 authorize the subdelegation of contracting authority to campus officials beyond the Chancellor or VCFA, upon justification and the written authorization of the President. A request to subdelegate contracting authority must be signed by the Chancellor. The procedure to request a subdelegation of contracting authority is as follows:
- The Request to Delegate Contracting Authority form (Attachment B to UASP 300.1) is completed, and initial review obtained from the supervising college or department. The form is then submitted to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost or appropriate Vice Chancellor for review.
- Upon favorable recommendation following Vice Chancellor-level review, the request for subdelegation is forwarded to the General Counsel’s Office along with a Legal Review Form (Attachment A to UASP 300.1). Legal review will be documented in writing, in consultation with the VCFA.
- Upon favorable recommendation from the General Counsel and VCFA, the form will be forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office.
- Should the Chancellor approve the subdelegation request, the form will be submitted to the President’s Office pursuant to the procedures in UASP 300.1.
- If approved by the President, the subdelegation form will be returned to the Chancellor’s Office. The VCFA will communicate the approval to the UA Little Rock official who has been subdelegated contracting authority.
- The VCFA’s Office will maintain a copy of the approved subdelegation.
III. Contract Review
A contract, as that term is defined in Board Policy 300.1 and UASP 300.1, may require review by multiple individuals before it is finalized for signatures. In addition to this policy, please refer to the UA Little Rock Contract Services webpage for additional information and resources.
Each UA Little Rock department or unit will establish internal policies for initial contract drafting and review, consistent with laws or policies specific to the contract’s subject matter. See, for example, LR 217.1 (Signature Authority for University Financial Transactions). Internal policies should, among other things, identify the departmental official(s) responsible for seeking further review of the contract according to the procedures set out in this section. Note that procurement policies may govern the solicitation methods and selection of vendors, independent of contract review. UA Little Rock Procurement Services should be contacted at the earliest instance for guidance on whether procurement policies apply, and which solicitation methods are available or required. Information Technology Services should be contacted regarding any computing, software, or network-related purchases.
Once a draft contract is complete, the appropriate departmental official will submit the draft to the Contract Review Manager via the Contract Review Form. Fields within this form will prompt the official to provide the contract type, departmental contact information, vendor/non-UA Little Rock party information, and essential contract terms such as duration and anticipated total cost. Supporting documents, including the draft contract, will be uploaded. The Contract Review Manager will complete an initial review and then submit the proposed contract to the General Counsel’s Office for final review, along with a Legal Review Form.
Contracts may generally be finalized and signed only upon approval from the General Counsel’s Office, indicated by marking “acceptable for signature” on the Legal Review Form. If edits are needed following legal review, the Legal Review Form will be marked “returned with comments and/or suggested revisions,” and sent back to the Contract Review Manager. Contracts that use an unmodified form developed or approved by the General Counsel’s Office may not require legal review, among other exceptions listed in UASP 300.1. Departments should contact the Contract Review Manager or General Counsel’s Office with any questions before proceeding.
When the contract is finalized, the Contract Review Manager will notify appropriate departmental officials and forward the contract to the VCFA, Chancellor, or other UA Little Rock staff with subdelegated contract authority for signature. A copy of the fully executed contract will be provided to the requesting department or unit, the VCFA’s Office, and the General Counsel’s Office as needed. The fully executed contract will be maintained as required by UA Little Rock record retention policies.
Revised Dates: 06/2026; 09/1982; 11/1987; 01/1988; 11/1992; 11/1996; 09/1997; 04/1998; 09/2002
Source: UA Board Policy 300.1, November 21, 1975
Status: Active
Originator: Office of the Chancellor
Custodian: Office of Finance and Administration