Master Service Agreement (MSA)
The umbrella contract that governs a series of future projects.
What it means
A master service agreement (MSA) is an umbrella contract that sets the general terms of an ongoing relationship — payment terms, liability, confidentiality, dispute resolution — so the parties do not renegotiate them for every project. Individual jobs are then added under it through shorter documents, usually statements of work or work orders, that define each project's scope, price, and schedule. The MSA usually says which document wins if it conflicts with a statement of work.
Why it matters before you sign
The MSA is where the heavyweight legal terms live — every future work order quietly inherits them, so negotiate the MSA as if it covers the biggest project you will ever do together.
In a contract, it looks like this
The consultant signed a two-year MSA with the developer, with each project defined in its own statement of work.
Related terms
This definition is a general, educational explanation — not legal advice. XOsign provides AI-assisted document tools and does not provide legal advice; consider consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Requirements vary by state.
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