Services

Services refer to the labor, time, or effort that a supplier furnishes as performance for separate consideration and not labor, time, or effort included in or incident to the production or sale of a commodity. 

  • “Included in” means that the cost of labor, time, or effort, if applicable, are covered in the cost of the commodity. For example, a department purchases a computer and the cost includes free delivery and installation. 
  • “Incident to” means that the cost of labor, time, or effort are not covered in the cost of the commodity but is provided for an additional fee.  For example, a department purchases a computer and there is a small delivery or installation fee; the additional fee would be considered incidental to the purchase. 

The following types of contracts are excluded from being considered a contract requiring services

  • Employment agreements
  • Collective bargaining agreements
  • Architectural or engineering contracts requiring the approval of the Division of Building Authority or the Division of Higher Education
  • Other commodities and services exempt by law. This means that exempt purchases do not require state reporting or review. 

Technical and General Services

Technical and general services include work involving time, labor, and a degree of expertise, where performance is evaluated based upon the quality of the work and the results produced, or work performed to meet a demand, especially work of a recurring nature that does not necessarily require special skills or extensive training. TGS contracts specify the performance standards expected in the rendering of services.

Examples include, but are not limited to: delivery of standard training programs, data entry, transport service, actuary service, collection service, certain repair services, translation (interpreter) services, janitorial service, guard service, pest control, lawn care service, and waste disposal services.  

Professional and Consulting Services (PCS)

Professional services are services where the contract specifies the performance standards expected from the rendering of the services, rather than detailing the manner in which the services shall be rendered. 

Such services are generally acquired to obtain information, advice, counsel, or direct assistance. Under such a contract, the university would have no direct managerial control over the day-to-day activities of the contractor providing the service. 

Examples include, but are not limited to, attorneys, architects, accountants, engineers, physicians, and technology experts. 

Legislative Review and Reporting for Services

Reporting Requirements: 

A contract for services shall be reported if the total initial contract amount is at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) but less than an annual contract amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in any one (1) contract year or a total projected contract amount is less than three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000).

  • All executed contracts for services between $25,000 – $49,999.99 must be reported to the legislature.
  • This applies when the annual contract amount or total projected cost including any amendments or possible extensions place the contract within this value range.
  • Amendments that do NOT include a “material change” do not go for review but is entered into the Office of State Procurement portal for reporting purposes.
  • Emergency Procurements over $20,000.00

Review Requirements: 

A contract requiring the services of one (1) or more persons shall be presented to the Legislative Council if the annual contract amount is at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in any one (1) contract year or if the total projected contract amount, including any amendments or possible extensions, is at least three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000).

  • Service contracts with an annual contract amount of $50,000 or if the total projected contract amount (including any amendments or possible extensions) is at least $350,000 must be presented to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee for review prior to the execution of the contract.
  • Amendments that include a “material change” will need to be reviewed. 

Material Change includes:

  • An increase in the contract amount
  • An increase in the total projected contract amount
  • A change in any of the essential terms of the contract
  • A change in any performance-based standards
  • The submission of a vendor performance report during the year preceding the renewal or extension of the contract

Note: An agency may elect to submit a contract for review if it is uncertain whether the contract has a material change.

Required Forms and Supporting Documents for Service Contracts:

Services over $25,000 must comply with Act 557 standards and reporting. The following additional documents may also be required. View the OSP Checklist for Service Contract Submissions for more information.