MSA

An overarching contract setting general terms for future engagements.

A master service agreement sets the overarching legal and business terms that govern an ongoing relationship, such as liability, payment, confidentiality, and dispute resolution. Specific projects are then defined under it, typically through statements of work, so the parties do not renegotiate base terms each time. This structure speeds future engagements while keeping core protections consistent. For risk management it is the foundation on which SOWs and SLAs sit, and it is commonly assessed alongside the NDA and BPA.