As part of our ongoing effort to live UPEI’s core value related to the Pursuit of Excellence, UPEI’s Contracts and Insurance and Procurement teams — along with a cross-functional process improvement group including representation from administrative staff, Privacy, ITSS, and the Office VPAF— have worked collaboratively to reduce administrative burden related to UPEI’s Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) agreements. 

Did You Know? 

• In 2025, UPEI processed 195 FFS agreements
• These agreements are currently subject to 28 touch points across seven (7) UPEI departments and consume, on average, 4 hours of employee time each. That’s 780 employee hours per year!
• These agreements average 26 days to process from start to completion.
• Most interestingly, 79% of the FFS agreements are valued at less than $50,000. 
• Many of these Fee for Service engagements pose minimal risk but require significant administrative effort. 

What’s New? 

• Effective February 9, 2026, UPEI’s Procurement and Contracts and Insurance teams are proposing to eliminate Fee for Service agreements for engagements valued at $50,000 or less, provided they meet ‘low risk’ criteria.
• The new Low-Value, Low-Risk Process reduces administrative steps from 28 to 7 - a 75% reduction - while maintaining key safeguards, including insurance.
• This streamlined process will result in a significant reduction in paperwork; annual hours spent on Fee for Service engagements each year; as well as shortening the time to complete while reducing potential frustration for UPEI staff and external vendors. 

What Do You Need to Know? 

• The Contracts and Insurance Office invites all members of the campus community to attend upcoming information sessions regarding the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process. 
• These pre-launch sessions are intended to help departments prepare and ask questions ahead of implementation. 
• Each session will include an Overview of the Contracts and Insurance Office; Overview of Fee-for-Service Agreements; Overview of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process; and offer an opportunity for Q&A  

Session Details:  

February 2, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 pm | Register Here  

February 4, 2026 | 9:00–10:00 am | Register Here  

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca