The District government requires all vendors to have an approved procurement instrument in place (i.e. purchase order, term contract, blanket purchase agreement, etc.) prior to providing goods or services. Entering into contracts verbally or without appropriate authorization is prohibited.

Any vendor who delivers services or goods to the District without a proper contract is doing so entirely at their own risk. The District does not pay for goods or services that were provided without the benefit of a properly executed contract.

Please Note:

• It is illegal for anyone other than a properly appointed contracting officer or credit cardholder to make a purchase for the District of Columbia government.
• Personnel without procurement authority who order supplies or services, who attempt to change the terms of an existing purchase, or who commit the District to pay a vendor for anything received, may be held to disciplinary action and may be responsible for payment.
• An unauthorized commitment is an agreement that is not binding solely because the District representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into that agreement on behalf of the District.