Contract Risk Services

Contract Risk Services helps UCSF departments evaluate and manage risk when engaging consultants, contractors, suppliers, vendors, researchers, and other non-UC parties.

Our reviews focus on how risk is allocated between the parties and whether proposed agreements appropriately protect UCSF and The Regents of the University of California. UC systemwide policy BFB-BUS-63 requires non-UC parties doing business with UCSF to maintain appropriate insurance.

Services Include

Submit a Contract Review Request

When to Contact RAIS

For procurement-related agreements, departments should work first with Supply Chain Management (SCM). RAIS supports SCM on complex insurance, risk transfer, and exception requests.

Request a review when a non-procurement-related agreement involves:

• Non-standard insurance requirements
• Certificates of Insurance
• Insurance exceptions
• Indemnification language
• Limitation of liability provisions
• Vendor insurance questions

Vendor Insurance

Non-UC Vendors

The UC Vendor Liability Insurance Program provides protection against liability claims for work performed by qualifying consultants, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other non-UC parties working under contract for UC that do not already carry General Liability insurance. UC Vendor Liability Insurance Program coverage costs $750.00 and is valid for one (1) year for work a qualifying non-UC party does with all UC campuses.  For more information visit the UC Vendor Liability Insurance Program.

At its discretion, a department may elect to add all or some of the coverage’s cost to the total value of the applicable contracts(s).

UCSF reserves the right to require additional other insurance in such amounts as may be reasonably required against other insurable risks, based on the specific details of each engagement.

Insurance for Special Events

Exhibitor/Vendor Liability Insurance for exhibitors, performers, and vendors participating in one-day events hosted and/or held by UCSF may purchase one-day coverage online here. This Exhibitor/Vendor Liability Insurance coverage is valid only for the day of the event. 

At its discretion, a department may elect to add all or some of the coverage’s cost to the total value of the applicable contracts(s).

Certificates of Insurance (COIs)

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a standardized summary of the types and amounts of insurance a party carries.  Non-UC parties routinely provide COIs to UCSF to meet their contractual obligations and offer us evidence of their financial responsibility.  COIs are a critical component of doing business, and all UCSF departments are expected to obtain compliant COIs from non-UC parties before work begins or goods and services are purchased. 

RAIS provides guidance to UCSF on COIs.  Please note that our guidance is limited to the General Liability and other insurance programs we manage; requests and questions pertaining to Professional Medical Liability and/or Hospital Indemnity COIs are handled by the Health Risk Management team.

Please note: Supply Chain Management (SCM) provides UCSF departments with front-line support on issues related to COIs, insurance requirements, and contract language when those issues are tied to the purchase of goods and services.  While RAIS offers advice directly to SCM on escalated issues, we suggest that UCSF departments contact SCM first.   

Submitting COIs from Non-UC Parties

The standard UC Certificate of Self-Insurance provides proof of UC’s insurance. Use this whenever possible.

Certificate Holder should read:

RAIS does not maintain a repository of COIs issued to UCSF. Copies of COIs received by UCSF should be maintained with their associated contracts.

Most non-UC parties accept the standard UC COI. Some may require a customized UC COI to fulfill specific requirements that UC agrees to meet in its contracts. If you are part of the UCSF community and require a customized UC COI, please complete the request form below.

Submit a Certificate of Insurance Request

Please note that customized UC COIs may take several business days to issue.  The standard UC COI should be provided to non-UC parties as a first option, and customized UC COIs should be requested only when non-UC parties do not accept the standard UC COI. 

RAIS aims to review and respond to requests for customized UC COIs within three to five business days of receipt. 

Medical Liability and Hospital Indemnity COIs

Request these COIs through the UCSF Health Risk Management Office.

Questions involving Professional Medical Liability, Hospital Professional Liability, Hospital Indemnity, or other healthcare-specific insurance programs should be directed to [email protected] or (415) 353-1842

Insurance Exceptions

Insurance exceptions are reviewed case by case based on the specific activities and risk involved. Before requesting an exception, departments should determine whether the required insurance coverage can be obtained through the commercial insurance market or the UC Vendor Liability Insurance Program.