A form of written approval signed by an authorized official needed before taking certain contract actions is known as what?

The correct response is a "Determination and Findings." This term refers to a formal written document that outlines the reasons and justifications necessary to support a specific action taken under a contract. When certain actions require an extra level of scrutiny or justification, the Determination and Findings process is utilized to ensure that authorized officials have evaluated the factors involved and made informed decisions prior to proceeding.

The use of Determination and Findings is particularly important in government contracting, as it ensures compliance with regulations and provides a basis for actions that might not be otherwise permitted without explicit justification. This aligns with principles of accountability and transparency within the contracting process.

In contrast, a contract modification refers to changes made to the existing terms of a contract, a letter of disclosure typically pertains to the sharing of sensitive information, and an approval certificate may not carry the same formal connotations or requirements associated with formal determination processes. Therefore, the focus on a structured assessment and written justification in the Determination and Findings makes it the most appropriate answer in the context of necessary approvals before proceeding with certain contract actions.