What constitutes an unauthorized commitment in government contracting?

An unauthorized commitment in government contracting occurs when work is started by a contractor without a proper authorization from an individual who has the authority to bind the government to a contract. Such a scenario is typically characterized by the contractor commencing work or providing services without having a legally binding agreement in place, which means that there has not been a valid contract executed that meets the necessary requirements of government procurement regulations.

This is significant because it poses a risk to the government, as it can result in liabilities without proper budgetary backing or accountability. The government relies on formal processes and approvals to ensure that commitments made are valid, legal, and funded. When a contractor begins work without an authorized commitment, they do so at their own risk, and there are specific procedures and potential remedies defined within Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to address these situations.

In contrast, the other scenarios presented do not fit the definition of unauthorized commitments. A legitimate purchase order issued without prior approval may not necessarily be unauthorized if the individual had authority within the scope of their duties. A contract signed under duress concerns the validity and enforceability of the contract rather than the authorization process, and changes made to an existing contract are typically permissible through established modification protocols as long as they adhere to regulations and guidelines set