[Request for Decision Concerning Entitlement to Payment]

The Forest Service requested a decision as to whether a contractor was entitled to payment for office products. A Forest Service employee placed an oral order for the items, although the agency's procurement officer had notified all employees that oral purchases would not be ratified. GAO noted that the items were listed under the Federal Supply Schedule and they should have been purchased under such a contract. Accordingly, since the Government received a benefit from the materials, payment may be made on a quantum valebant basis for an amount not to exceed the schedule's authorized amount.