PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES | FEDERAL ACQUISITION
CERTIFICATION IN CONTRACTING STUDY GUIDE
Question 1
Which FAR part sets forth the basic policies and general information about the Federal
Acquisition Regulations System?
A) FAR Part 1
B) FAR Part 2
C) FAR Part 52
D) FAR Part 53
Answer: A
Rationale: FAR Part 1 establishes the basic policies and general information about the Federal
Acquisition Regulations System .
Question 2
What is the purpose of exchanging information with industry before receipt of proposals?
A) Always obtain the lowest price for government requirements
B) Find a sole source contractor to meet the government's requirements
C) Negotiate the best deal in response to the government's requirements
D) Improve the understanding of government requirements and industry capabilities
Answer: D
Rationale: Pre-solicitation exchanges with industry improve understanding of government
requirements and industry capabilities, facilitating better acquisition outcomes .
Question 3
Which FAR part covers acquisition planning?
A) FAR Part 6
B) FAR Part 7
C) FAR Part 8
D) FAR Part 10
,Answer: B
Rationale: FAR Part 7 covers acquisition planning, including the development of requirements
and acquisition strategy.
Question 4
What is the purpose of market research?
A) Satisfies the contracting officer's fair and reasonable price determination
B) Begins once the requirements documents have been developed
C) Ends at contract award
D) Aids in determining if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist
Answer: D
Rationale: Market research aids in determining if sources capable of satisfying the agency's
requirements exist and is conducted throughout all phases of the acquisition .
Question 5
Except when authorized otherwise, what is true about a government contract?
A) It need not be in writing
B) It must be in writing
C) It must be presented as a "hard copy" on paper
D) It must have oral confirmation
Answer: B
Rationale: Government contracts must be in writing to be valid, ensuring clarity and
accountability .
Question 6
What is a Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID)?
A) A unique number identifying each solicitation, contract, agreement, or order
B) A code identifying the type of procurement
C) A tracking number for invoices
D) A vendor identification number
Answer: A
,Rationale: A PIID is a unique number identifying each solicitation, contract, agreement, or order
and related procurement instrument .
Question 7
What is the use of a procedure that is inconsistent with the FAR?
A) Extraordinary action
B) Exception
C) Deviation
D) Abnormal action
Answer: C
Rationale: A deviation is the use of a procedure that is inconsistent with the FAR, requiring
proper authorization .
Question 8
What should Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) do?
A) Promote competition to the maximum extent practicable
B) Eliminate competition to speed up acquisitions
C) Require full and open competition only
D) Focus only on price, not quality
Answer: A
Rationale: Simplified Acquisition Procedures should promote competition to the maximum
extent practicable while streamlining the acquisition process .
Question 9
Which of the following is accurate about the government's policy on contract modifications?
A) Program managers should sign modifications instead of the contracting officer
B) Any contract specialist can direct a contractor to perform work before execution
C) The government policy encourages early execution of modifications and discourages
unauthorized commitments
D) Modifications are only required for cost increases
Answer: C
, Rationale: The government policy encourages early execution of contract modifications and
discourages unauthorized commitments by contracting officers .
Question 10
What is included with terms that address specific types of exchanges with offerors AFTER
receipt of proposals?
A) Communications, discussions, and clarifications
B) Discussions, explanations, and communications
C) Clarifications, discussions, and explanations
D) Conversations, clarifications, and discussions
Answer: A
Rationale: Post-proposal exchanges include communications, discussions, and clarifications .
Question 11
Which FAR part covers competition requirements?
A) FAR Part 5
B) FAR Part 6
C) FAR Part 10
D) FAR Part 15
Answer: B
Rationale: FAR Part 6 covers competition requirements, including full and open competition and
exceptions.
Question 12
A government contract specialist received several offers on an RFP set aside for small business.
What should be the first thing to check when reviewing each proposal?
A) The pricing matrix is reasonable compared to the Government estimate
B) The proposal is from a small business
C) The offeror has addressed all evaluation factors in Section M
D) The offeror has included a bid bond for 20% of its offer price
Answer: B