Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC-C)
Professional Examination Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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Question 1
Which FAR part establishes the hierarchical relationship between the FAR, agency
supplements, and internal agency policies?
A. FAR Part 2 – Definitions of Words and Terms
B. FAR Part 3 – Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest
C. FAR Part 1 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System
D. FAR Part 4 – Administrative Matters
Answer: C. FAR Part 1 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System defines the
structure of the FAR system and explains how agency supplements such as the
DFARS and internal agency policies relate to the FAR. FAR Part 1 establishes the
framework for the entire acquisition regulatory system .
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) in
acquisition planning?
A. To provide a secure portal for contractor invoice submission
B. To publish synopses of upcoming contract actions for public notice
C. To host contract award notices exclusively after source selection
D. To facilitate communication between contracting officers and offerors
,Answer: B. The GPE is used to publish synopses of proposed contract actions as
required by FAR Part 5, ensuring transparency and providing public notice of
upcoming opportunities. FAR 5.201 requires publication of all contract actions
expected to exceed $25,000 .
Question 3
Under FAR Part 3, which of the following is considered an improper business
practice?
A. Attending a contractor-sponsored training event after contract award
B. Requesting a contractor provide a gift valued at $25 or less
C. Accepting a personal loan from a contractor while evaluating proposals
D. Participating in a conference co-sponsored by a potential contractor
Answer: C. Accepting a personal loan from a contractor while evaluating
proposals creates a clear conflict of interest and is expressly prohibited under
FAR Part 3 as an improper business practice .
Question 4
What is the minimum retention period for contract files after contract closeout as
required by FAR Part 4?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
Answer: B. FAR Part 4 mandates a minimum retention period of five years for
contract files after contract closeout. This ensures adequate documentation is
available for audits and potential reviews .
,Question 5
When an offeror lacks relevant past performance history, how must evaluators
treat this lack of information?
A. Rate the offeror favorably because they have no negative history
B. Rate the offeror unfavorably due to insufficient data
C. Rate the offeror neither favorably nor unfavorably
D. Automatically exclude the offeror from consideration
Answer: C. When an offeror lacks relevant past performance history, evaluators
must rate the offeror neither favorably nor unfavorably. FAR 15.305 and related
guidance establish that a lack of past performance history shall not be used as a
negative factor .
Question 6
Which statement correctly describes the tradeoff approach to source selection?
A. Award must be made to the lowest priced proposal
B. Award may be made to a higher-priced, technically superior proposal if the
technical superiority justifies the higher price
C. Only the lowest priced offeror can receive award regardless of technical factors
D. Technical factors must be scored numerically and weighted equally
Answer: B. In the tradeoff approach, award may be made to a higher-priced,
technically superior proposal if the technical superiority justifies the higher price.
The decision is based on a best-value determination .
Question 7
Which of the following is required to be included as an evaluation factor in all
competitively negotiated procurements over the simplified acquisition threshold?
A. Small business participation
B. Past performance
, C. Cost realism analysis
D. Technical approach
Answer: B. FAR 15.304 requires past performance to be included as an
evaluation factor in all competitively negotiated procurements over the
simplified acquisition threshold, unless the contracting officer determines
otherwise .
Question 8
What is the correct sequence for exchanges with offerors under FAR Part 15?
A. Discussions, Communications, Clarifications
B. Communications, Discussions, Clarifications
C. Clarifications, Communications, Discussions
D. Clarifications, Discussions, Communications
Answer: C. The correct sequence under FAR Part 15 is clarifications (limited
exchanges to clarify minor issues), communications (general exchanges that may
address adverse past performance), and discussions (negotiations with offerors
in the competitive range) .
Question 9
Which contract type places the greatest financial risk on the contractor?
A. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
B. Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF)
C. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)
D. Fixed-Price-Incentive-Firm (FPIF)
Answer: C. The Firm-Fixed-Price contract places the greatest financial risk on the
contractor because the contractor bears the full responsibility for cost overruns.
The government pays only the fixed price regardless of the contractor's actual
costs .
Professional Examination Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
Which FAR part establishes the hierarchical relationship between the FAR, agency
supplements, and internal agency policies?
A. FAR Part 2 – Definitions of Words and Terms
B. FAR Part 3 – Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest
C. FAR Part 1 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System
D. FAR Part 4 – Administrative Matters
Answer: C. FAR Part 1 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System defines the
structure of the FAR system and explains how agency supplements such as the
DFARS and internal agency policies relate to the FAR. FAR Part 1 establishes the
framework for the entire acquisition regulatory system .
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) in
acquisition planning?
A. To provide a secure portal for contractor invoice submission
B. To publish synopses of upcoming contract actions for public notice
C. To host contract award notices exclusively after source selection
D. To facilitate communication between contracting officers and offerors
,Answer: B. The GPE is used to publish synopses of proposed contract actions as
required by FAR Part 5, ensuring transparency and providing public notice of
upcoming opportunities. FAR 5.201 requires publication of all contract actions
expected to exceed $25,000 .
Question 3
Under FAR Part 3, which of the following is considered an improper business
practice?
A. Attending a contractor-sponsored training event after contract award
B. Requesting a contractor provide a gift valued at $25 or less
C. Accepting a personal loan from a contractor while evaluating proposals
D. Participating in a conference co-sponsored by a potential contractor
Answer: C. Accepting a personal loan from a contractor while evaluating
proposals creates a clear conflict of interest and is expressly prohibited under
FAR Part 3 as an improper business practice .
Question 4
What is the minimum retention period for contract files after contract closeout as
required by FAR Part 4?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
Answer: B. FAR Part 4 mandates a minimum retention period of five years for
contract files after contract closeout. This ensures adequate documentation is
available for audits and potential reviews .
,Question 5
When an offeror lacks relevant past performance history, how must evaluators
treat this lack of information?
A. Rate the offeror favorably because they have no negative history
B. Rate the offeror unfavorably due to insufficient data
C. Rate the offeror neither favorably nor unfavorably
D. Automatically exclude the offeror from consideration
Answer: C. When an offeror lacks relevant past performance history, evaluators
must rate the offeror neither favorably nor unfavorably. FAR 15.305 and related
guidance establish that a lack of past performance history shall not be used as a
negative factor .
Question 6
Which statement correctly describes the tradeoff approach to source selection?
A. Award must be made to the lowest priced proposal
B. Award may be made to a higher-priced, technically superior proposal if the
technical superiority justifies the higher price
C. Only the lowest priced offeror can receive award regardless of technical factors
D. Technical factors must be scored numerically and weighted equally
Answer: B. In the tradeoff approach, award may be made to a higher-priced,
technically superior proposal if the technical superiority justifies the higher price.
The decision is based on a best-value determination .
Question 7
Which of the following is required to be included as an evaluation factor in all
competitively negotiated procurements over the simplified acquisition threshold?
A. Small business participation
B. Past performance
, C. Cost realism analysis
D. Technical approach
Answer: B. FAR 15.304 requires past performance to be included as an
evaluation factor in all competitively negotiated procurements over the
simplified acquisition threshold, unless the contracting officer determines
otherwise .
Question 8
What is the correct sequence for exchanges with offerors under FAR Part 15?
A. Discussions, Communications, Clarifications
B. Communications, Discussions, Clarifications
C. Clarifications, Communications, Discussions
D. Clarifications, Discussions, Communications
Answer: C. The correct sequence under FAR Part 15 is clarifications (limited
exchanges to clarify minor issues), communications (general exchanges that may
address adverse past performance), and discussions (negotiations with offerors
in the competitive range) .
Question 9
Which contract type places the greatest financial risk on the contractor?
A. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
B. Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF)
C. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)
D. Fixed-Price-Incentive-Firm (FPIF)
Answer: C. The Firm-Fixed-Price contract places the greatest financial risk on the
contractor because the contractor bears the full responsibility for cost overruns.
The government pays only the fixed price regardless of the contractor's actual
costs .
