What must occur for ratification of an unauthorized commitment?

Ratification of an unauthorized commitment involves the formal approval of a commitment that was made without the authority to do so. For ratification to be valid, it must meet specific conditions laid out by the contracting authority, which typically include ensuring that the goods or services delivered were authorized and that they were for the benefit of the government. Additionally, the action must be one that the agency had the authority to perform if the commitment had been made beforehand.

This ensures that there are checks and balances in place regarding financial obligations and that any unauthorized actions are properly evaluated and approved according to established guidelines. The conditions often require a determination that the vendor is eligible for payment and that the commitment falls within the scope of the agency's operations. Therefore, without fulfilling these specific criteria, the ratification cannot occur, making it essential for compliance and accountability in government contracting practices.