Which actions must a contracting officer verify for a ratification of unauthorized work?

The correct action that a contracting officer must verify for a ratification of unauthorized work is that the work provided a benefit to the government. This is crucial because ratification is a process that permits the government to validate and authorize work that was performed without the proper authority. In such situations, the government needs to ensure that the work, even though unauthorized, resulted in benefits that justify its acceptance.

Justification for this ratification often hinges on the assessment of whether the work completed offered value, fulfilled a necessary requirement, or otherwise was advantageous for the government. If no benefit was derived, it would be challenging to justify ratification, thereby possibly exposing the government to unnecessary costs without the lawfully required authorization.

The other considerations mentioned in the options, such as the contractor's fault, penalties, or performance satisfaction, are not directly required for the ratification process. Although these factors may influence the overall relationship and future dealings with the contractor, they do not constitute prerequisites for ratification. The overriding focus in the context of unauthorized work is to determine whether the incurred actions were beneficial to the government’s interests, thereby making option B the critical factor in ratification.