{"id":3048,"date":"2025-09-30T17:03:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T21:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/?page_id=3048"},"modified":"2026-01-29T08:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:13:16","slug":"external-parties-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/external-parties-2\/","title":{"rendered":"External Parties"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>About OPPENA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong>OPPENA provides contract review and management support to the School of Medicine\u2019s (SOM) Departments and Centers for various non-clinical and non-research agreement types. OPPENA\u2019s support spans the contract process from request intake through negotiations and final execution, ensuring that contracts comply with applicable laws and University policies and mitigate the University\u2019s exposure to risk.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-footer oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe white\">\n<li><strong><em>OPPENA observes all <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.unc.edu\/benefits\/leave\/holiday-calendar\/\">University holidays<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC.avif\" alt=\"\" width=\"2400\" height=\"636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC.avif 2400w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC-300x80.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC-1024x271.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC-768x204.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC-1536x407.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC-2048x543.avif 2048w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/UNC-600x159.avif 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>Announcements\/Updates<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe blue\">\n<li><strong><em>Effective August 1, 2025<\/em>, OPPENA no longer processes clinical agreements.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Effective October 1, 2025<\/em>, OPPENA\u2019s website has been updated.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>OPSCA has changed it&#8217;s name to Office of Policy, Professional Engagements, and Non Clinical Agreements (OPPENA).<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>All communication sent from OPPENA related to in-progress agreements will be sent primarily from our Docusign Contract Management System. Please ensure you are routinely checking your emails and junk folder.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>Contracts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"col-lg-11 col-md-12 col-xs-12 col-sm-12 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel panel-default  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h3><strong>Working with OPPENA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\"><div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black circle-chevron-right\">\n<li>OPPENA will <strong>ALWAYS<\/strong> initiate and coordinate the signature process for its signature once terms are finalized.<\/li>\n<li>OPPENA <strong>ALWAYS<\/strong> utilizes its own Contract Management System, DocuSign platform, to obtain signatures.<\/li>\n<li>As a North Carolina state agency, policy requires UNC to sign contracts last.<\/li>\n<li>You will be made aware of the proposed contract terms prior to the contract being submitted to OPPENA for review.<\/li>\n<li>Prior to a contract being submitted to OPPENA, you will be notified by the Department Approved Requestor (DAR) that you will receive communications directly from OPPENA during the contract review and negotiation phases.<\/li>\n<li>OPPENA will contact you for review and negotiation of a contract prior to execution. During the process of contract negotiations, OPPENA will follow up with you on a routine basis and inquire about the status of your review.<\/li>\n<li>To ensure a streamlined process and in compliance with existing policies, UNC will routinely require use of its own templates.<\/li>\n<li>Faculty and staff need University approval to engage in professional activities outside their duties to the University.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h3><strong>Contract Review Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\"> <strong>(1) Pre-Submission <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black square-check\">\n<li>You will work with UNC faculty, leadership, and other internal stakeholders to gather information and confirm details of the contract.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\"><strong>(2) Submission<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black square-check\">\n<li>A SOM Designated submitter (DAR) completes a request as soon as the contract is available or as soon as the terms are agreed upon by all parties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\"><strong>(3) Review and Negotiation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black square-check\">\n<li>OPPENA reviews the request and drafts\/reviews the contract.<\/li>\n<li>OPPENA will reach out to you via the Docusign Contract Management System with edits or an initial draft for your review.<\/li>\n<li>OPPENA will work with you to finalize a draft.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\"><strong>(4) Execution\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black square-check\">\n<li>OPPENA will route the agreement to you for signature via Docusign.<\/li>\n<li>Following OPPENA signature, you will automatically receive a copy of the fully executed agreement via a Docusign email notification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h3><strong>Common Contract Types<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\"><div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black circle-chevron-right\">\n<li><strong>Affiliation Contracts<\/strong> for the purpose of furthering training, education or clinical experience of students and interns.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Professional Service Contracts \u2013 Non-clinical Services<\/strong> for non-patient care activities such as technical assistance, program support, quality assurance and continuing medical education (CME) events.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Educational Grant Contracts and Event Exhibitor Contracts<\/strong> for the purpose of vendor support of SOM educational activities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Teaching\/Training Contracts<\/strong> for faculty and staff to conduct or participate in external seminars, presentations, etc., and\/or provide consultation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medicolegal Contracts<\/strong> for faculty members in the Departments of Psychiatry and Physical Medicine &amp; Rehabilitation to provide medicolegal review and related work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Licensing, Certifications<\/strong> for supporting program documents, including state and federal certifications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-default  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h3><strong>Contracting FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\"><div class = \"alert alert-info  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<ul class=\"hwc-list-font-awe black circle-chevron-right\">\n<li><strong>Who submits contracts to OPPENA for review?<\/strong><br \/>\nOnly Department Approved Requestors (DARs) are permitted to submit contract review requests to OPPENA. Departments are aware of their DARs. DARs have general knowledge about the contract process and can assist you with University processes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What information is needed for the submission process?<\/strong><br \/>\nDARs will need to know information such as your legal name, whether you are a United States entity, start date of an agreement, payment terms, etc.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What is the timeline for review of a contract?<\/strong><br \/>\nIt depends on the completeness of the information we receive, our current volume, your responses, etc.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Who is authorized to sign contracts for SOM?<\/strong><br \/>\nOPPENA has signature authority for SOM. SOM Staff and\/or faculty are not authorized to sign contracts on SOM\u2019s behalf.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What does each OPPENA operational status mean?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\">OPPENA has a three-tier status system reflecting volume impacts:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ol>\n<li><em>Routine Status<\/em>: This indicates we are processing requests at normal levels and will respond accordingly.<\/li>\n<li><em>Elevated Status 1<\/em>: This indicates higher than normal volume impacts. Response times may be slightly delayed.<\/li>\n<li><em>Elevated Status 2<\/em>: This is the highest status and indicates sustained and prolonged volume impacts. During this time, response times may be delayed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-lg-1 col-md-12 col-xs-12 col-sm-12 oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>EPAPs &amp; Secondary Employment<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong>In accordance with University policy, SOM faculty and certain employees and students are permitted to engage in work with external entities for compensation outside of their University responsibilities. That work is done in either the form of an external professional activity for pay (EPAP) or secondary employment and must be approved by the University. OPPENA is responsible for reviewing and processing all EPAP requests for SOM.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>Policies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3610 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/Policy-Picture-e1759282269798.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1419\" height=\"326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/Policy-Picture-e1759282269798.png 1419w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/Policy-Picture-e1759282269798-300x69.png 300w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/Policy-Picture-e1759282269798-1024x235.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/Policy-Picture-e1759282269798-768x176.png 768w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/oppena\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/465\/2025\/09\/Policy-Picture-e1759282269798-600x138.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1419px) 100vw, 1419px\" \/>SOM as well as its faculty, staff, and students must adhere to University and SOM policies when engaging with external entities whether through contract, EPAP, or otherwise. OPPENA is responsible for ensuring policy compliance for such external engagements.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>Resources\/Other University Offices<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/universitycounsel.unc.edu\/\"><strong>UNC-CH Office of University Counsel (OUC)<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel panel-primary  oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<div class=\"panel-heading oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<h2><strong>Connect With OPPENA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-body oscitas-bootstrap-container\">\n<a href=\"mailto:OPPENA@med.unc.edu\"><strong>OPPENA@med.unc.edu<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Was this page helpful? <a href=\"mailto:opsca@med.unc.edu?subject=Yes%20Helpful\">Yes<\/a> \/ <a href=\"mailto:opsca@med.unc.edu?subject=Not%20Helpful\">No<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Was this page helpful? 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