FAC-C Certification
FAC-C – FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION IN CONTRACTING |
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED FEDERAL
CONTRACTING CERTIFICATION 2026/2027
FAC-C CERTIFICATION
Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting
1. Acquisition planning should begin:
A. Once the source selection evaluation board is appointed
B. After funds have been formally obligated by the finance office
C. As soon as the agency need is identified, preferably well in advance of
the fiscal year in which the contract award is necessary
D. Only after the solicitation has been drafted by the contracting office
C. As soon as the agency need is identified, preferably well in advance
of the fiscal year in which the contract award is necessary
FAR 7.104 directs planners to start early so there is time to develop a
sound strategy.
Page 1
, FAC-C Certification
2. Which of the following best describes the purpose of market
research under FAR Part 10?
A. To gather information on the capabilities of the marketplace so
requirements can be met by commercially available solutions where
practicable
B. To establish the evaluation weights for a source selection
C. To determine the government's independent cost estimate for the
requirement
D. To identify the incumbent contractor so that a follow-on award can be
justified
A. To gather information on the capabilities of the marketplace so
requirements can be met by commercially available solutions where
practicable
Market research supports the acquisition strategy and the decision on
commercial versus non-commercial solutions.
3. Under FAR 2.101, bundling means:
A. Grouping supplies and services from the same vendor on one purchase
card transaction
B. Awarding multiple contracts from a single solicitation
C. Combining several orders under one indefinite-delivery contract
D. Consolidating two or more requirements previously provided under
separate smaller contracts into a single solicitation likely unsuitable for
award to a small business
D. Consolidating two or more requirements previously provided
under separate smaller contracts into a single solicitation likely
unsuitable for award to a small business
Bundling can reduce small business participation, so it triggers special
justification and analysis requirements.
Page 2
, FAC-C Certification
4. A performance work statement (PWS) differs from a traditional
statement of work primarily because it:
A. Lists the specific labor categories and hours the contractor must use
B. Describes the required results or outcomes rather than prescribing how
the work is to be done
C. Is used only for construction contracts
D. Must be written by the contractor after award
B. Describes the required results or outcomes rather than prescribing
how the work is to be done
Performance-based requirements focus on outcomes with measurable
standards.
5. Which function is considered inherently governmental?
A. Providing routine maintenance on government vehicles
B. Operating a government facility cafeteria
C. Providing clerical support for a program office
D. Determining agency policy, such as determining the content and
application of regulations
D. Determining agency policy, such as determining the content and
application of regulations
FAR 7.5 reserves policy-setting and similar discretionary functions to
government employees.
6. When must an agency generally conduct market research before
issuing a solicitation?
A. Before issuing a solicitation for an acquisition exceeding the simplified
acquisition threshold
B. Only when the acquisition is for construction
C. Only when the contract will be cost-reimbursement
D. Only when a sole-source award is planned
A. Before issuing a solicitation for an acquisition exceeding the
simplified acquisition threshold
FAR 10.001 requires market research before solicitations above the
simplified acquisition threshold, among other cases.
Page 3
, FAC-C Certification
7. What does FAR 11.104 say about use of brand name or equal
purchase descriptions?
A. The brand name alone is sufficient without any salient characteristics
B. Brand name descriptions are prohibited in all cases
C. They may be used only for purchases under the micro-purchase
threshold
D. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the
brand name product must be listed so offerors can offer equals
D. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of
the brand name product must be listed so offerors can offer equals
Listing salient characteristics preserves competition on a brand name or
equal solicitation.
8. Which document generally records the acquisition strategy,
milestones, and risk approach for a major requirement?
A. The award fee determination
B. The written acquisition plan
C. The purchase request
D. The past performance questionnaire
B. The written acquisition plan
FAR 7.105 describes the contents of written acquisition plans.
9. A requirement that is expected to be satisfied through a long-term
recurring need is best planned by considering:
A. Whether the requirement can be split to stay under a threshold
B. Whether a multiple-year or indefinite-delivery approach would be more
economical
C. Only a series of separate micro-purchases
D. Placing the entire requirement on a cost-plus-percentage-of-cost basis
B. Whether a multiple-year or indefinite-delivery approach would be
more economical
Planning should look at total lifecycle need and use vehicles that fit
recurring demand.
Page 4
FAC-C – FEDERAL ACQUISITION CERTIFICATION IN CONTRACTING |
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED FEDERAL
CONTRACTING CERTIFICATION 2026/2027
FAC-C CERTIFICATION
Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting
1. Acquisition planning should begin:
A. Once the source selection evaluation board is appointed
B. After funds have been formally obligated by the finance office
C. As soon as the agency need is identified, preferably well in advance of
the fiscal year in which the contract award is necessary
D. Only after the solicitation has been drafted by the contracting office
C. As soon as the agency need is identified, preferably well in advance
of the fiscal year in which the contract award is necessary
FAR 7.104 directs planners to start early so there is time to develop a
sound strategy.
Page 1
, FAC-C Certification
2. Which of the following best describes the purpose of market
research under FAR Part 10?
A. To gather information on the capabilities of the marketplace so
requirements can be met by commercially available solutions where
practicable
B. To establish the evaluation weights for a source selection
C. To determine the government's independent cost estimate for the
requirement
D. To identify the incumbent contractor so that a follow-on award can be
justified
A. To gather information on the capabilities of the marketplace so
requirements can be met by commercially available solutions where
practicable
Market research supports the acquisition strategy and the decision on
commercial versus non-commercial solutions.
3. Under FAR 2.101, bundling means:
A. Grouping supplies and services from the same vendor on one purchase
card transaction
B. Awarding multiple contracts from a single solicitation
C. Combining several orders under one indefinite-delivery contract
D. Consolidating two or more requirements previously provided under
separate smaller contracts into a single solicitation likely unsuitable for
award to a small business
D. Consolidating two or more requirements previously provided
under separate smaller contracts into a single solicitation likely
unsuitable for award to a small business
Bundling can reduce small business participation, so it triggers special
justification and analysis requirements.
Page 2
, FAC-C Certification
4. A performance work statement (PWS) differs from a traditional
statement of work primarily because it:
A. Lists the specific labor categories and hours the contractor must use
B. Describes the required results or outcomes rather than prescribing how
the work is to be done
C. Is used only for construction contracts
D. Must be written by the contractor after award
B. Describes the required results or outcomes rather than prescribing
how the work is to be done
Performance-based requirements focus on outcomes with measurable
standards.
5. Which function is considered inherently governmental?
A. Providing routine maintenance on government vehicles
B. Operating a government facility cafeteria
C. Providing clerical support for a program office
D. Determining agency policy, such as determining the content and
application of regulations
D. Determining agency policy, such as determining the content and
application of regulations
FAR 7.5 reserves policy-setting and similar discretionary functions to
government employees.
6. When must an agency generally conduct market research before
issuing a solicitation?
A. Before issuing a solicitation for an acquisition exceeding the simplified
acquisition threshold
B. Only when the acquisition is for construction
C. Only when the contract will be cost-reimbursement
D. Only when a sole-source award is planned
A. Before issuing a solicitation for an acquisition exceeding the
simplified acquisition threshold
FAR 10.001 requires market research before solicitations above the
simplified acquisition threshold, among other cases.
Page 3
, FAC-C Certification
7. What does FAR 11.104 say about use of brand name or equal
purchase descriptions?
A. The brand name alone is sufficient without any salient characteristics
B. Brand name descriptions are prohibited in all cases
C. They may be used only for purchases under the micro-purchase
threshold
D. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the
brand name product must be listed so offerors can offer equals
D. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of
the brand name product must be listed so offerors can offer equals
Listing salient characteristics preserves competition on a brand name or
equal solicitation.
8. Which document generally records the acquisition strategy,
milestones, and risk approach for a major requirement?
A. The award fee determination
B. The written acquisition plan
C. The purchase request
D. The past performance questionnaire
B. The written acquisition plan
FAR 7.105 describes the contents of written acquisition plans.
9. A requirement that is expected to be satisfied through a long-term
recurring need is best planned by considering:
A. Whether the requirement can be split to stay under a threshold
B. Whether a multiple-year or indefinite-delivery approach would be more
economical
C. Only a series of separate micro-purchases
D. Placing the entire requirement on a cost-plus-percentage-of-cost basis
B. Whether a multiple-year or indefinite-delivery approach would be
more economical
Planning should look at total lifecycle need and use vehicles that fit
recurring demand.
Page 4
