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

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

Please Note:

• It is illegal for anyone other than a properly appointed contracting officer or credit cardholder to make a purchase for the Department of Mental Health/District Government. 
• Personnel without procurement authority who order goods or services, who attempt to change the terms of an existing purchase, or who commit the Department of Mental Health/District Government 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 Department of Mental Health/District Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into that agreement on behalf of the Department of Mental Health/District Government.

For additional information, please contact Sue Crestwell at 202-671-3185 or Sue.Crestwell@dc.gov