Need a It / Networking Contract in Mississippi? AroundWire Can Help

In Mississippi, IT and networking service contracts—whether for state agencies, educational institutions, or local governments—are governed by a combination of state procurement laws and agency-specific guidelines, notably those set by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS). Contracts typically require vendors to be registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State and, for certain services, to hold relevant business and professional licenses. The ITS often mandates adherence to statewide IT security standards, data privacy protocols (especially for handling personally identifiable information), and may require compliance with federal regulations such as HIPAA or FERPA, depending on the agency. Insurance requirements usually include general liability, workers’ compensation, and, for IT contracts, professional liability or cyber risk coverage at specified minimums. Payment terms commonly follow a net-30 schedule, but milestone-based payments are sometimes used for larger projects. Mississippi statutes often require performance bonds for significant contracts and may include retainage provisions. Dispute resolution typically favors negotiation or mediation before litigation, with venue stipulated within the state. Contractors should be aware of “Buy Mississippi” preferences, which can affect award decisions. Additionally, state contracts generally include non-discrimination clauses and may incorporate cybersecurity incident reporting mandates. Overall, attention to statutory compliance, insurance, and cyber risk mitigation are critical risk management considerations when contracting for IT/networking services in Mississippi.