ACQ 202 Module 3 Exam, Part 1 Questions And Answers( Complete Solution Rated A)

Module 3 Exam, Part I (contains 30 questions) Clarifications Negotiations Solicitations Communications Communication Discussion Clarification Negotiation Lead Systems Engi neer Contracting Officer Deputy Program Manager Program Manager Fact finding Soliciting Bargaining Negotiating True False Return on assets Open systems architecture Return on investment Profit margin requirements. Component C has the highest initial cost; however, due to its superior reliability, it is projected to lead to lower life cycle costs than Components A and B in the long run, and this will help meet the program’s affordability goals. This is adequate justification for the team to select Component C. balancing of Affordability and Should Cost and technical activities.] True False True False Option 1 is better than Option 2 because its total weighted score is lower. Option 1 and Option 2 each score a total of 1.4; therefore, either choice is fine. Option 1 is better than Option 2 because its total weighted score is higher. Option 2 is better than Option 1 because its total weighted score is higher. Income Statement Balance Sheet Statement of Retained Earnings Statement of Cash Flows General and administrative (G&A) costs Direct labor costs Soft money costs Indirect labor costs Reasonable Allocable Consistent with Cost Accounting Standards Consistent with the terms of the contract Open systems Software-embedded systems Automated Information Systems Non-developmental items Helping IPT members to understand the interrelationship of components without physically changing the system. Quickly providing physical solutions to meet functional capabilities. Eliminating technical risk before production begins. Providing designs that will consistently exceed functional capabilities. Test and Evaluation Systems Engineering Technical Performance Measurement Configuration Management Supportability Maintainability Producibility Reliability Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Trade Study Modeling and Simulation Technical Performance Measurement (TPM) 18.) One of the primary purposes of Technical Performance Measures is to: Serve as a record for configuration management. Track the effects of changes to the CDD. Serve as a tool to mitigate risk. Test the feasibility of the Work Breakdown Structure. Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) Preventive Maintenance Support the company’s vision Have as few top managers as possible Use only the matrix organizational structure Focus on only one area 21.) An effective organizational structure can create a competitive advantage by: Concentrating resources solely on customer support Facilitating stability and resistance to change Focusing on only one company segment Facilitating responsiveness to change Trade Studies Commercial products Modeling and Simulation Configuration Management Reliability, maintainability and supportability Viability, deniability and versatility Transportability, survivability and affordability Vulnerability, interoperability and simplicity Divisional/functional Larger/smaller Smaller/larger Divisional/matrix The cost must exceed what a prudent business person would incur The cost must be reasonable The cost need not be in compliance with industry accounting standards The cost must be exempt from compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) Mean Logistics Delay Time (MLDT) Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) Mean Time Between Critical Failures (MTBCF) Mean Down Time (MDT) Test, Analyze, Fix, and Test (TAFT) Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Rates provided for subcontractors working on different efforts Rates for labor and labor hours Rates for exact costs and prices Rates for training the contractor workforce Appropriate technical performance measures for a program Solutions to any unplanned technical issues that may arise Whether or not the system meets its ’build to’ specifications The needed capabilities to reduce the program’s technical risk Analysis of alternatives Negotiation preparation Request for proposal development Supportability analysis Module 3 Exam, Part I (contains 1 question) • Here is your test result.The dots represent the choices you have made. • The highlighted questions are the questions you have missed. • Remediation Accessed shows whether you accessed those links.'N' represents links not visited and 'Y' represents visited links. True False Module 3 Exam, Part I Back to Status page contains 31 Questions 1) As part of the life cycle product support and system engineering processes, is used to influence design and determine the most cost effective way to support the system. [Relate design, operational, and supportability characteristics to system readiness objectives.] Product Support Analyses Earned Value Management Technical Performance Measures Parametric Cost Estimating 2) The Air Force is procuring maintenance services, and the Contracting Officer decides that no discussions are required to select the best contractor. However, the contractor's proposal has a typographical error showing period of performance beginning 1 June rather than 1 July. What type of information exchange would be used to resolve this discrepancy? [15b. Differentiate among the various types of interaction between the Government and contractors, e.g., discussions, clarifications, deficiencies, communications, and exchanges.] Clarificatio ns Communicatio ns Negotiatio ns Solicitatio ns 3) Negotiations cannot take place until after the Source Selection Authority has awarded the contract. [16a. Identify the role and responsibility of the participants in fact finding and negotiations.] Fals e True 4) During source selection, you are evaluating a proposal and you have some questions for the offeror. What should you do? [Identify the complementary roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Officer and the Program Manager in their partnership during source selection.] Convey your questions to the contracting officer to send to the offeror Convey your questions to the program manager to send to the offeror Send your questions to the offeror in an e-mail Telephone the offeror and ask your questions 5) During source selection, evaluators reviewing the proposals and compiling their questions for individual offerors is commonly referred to as . [Identify how to prepare for and conduct a fact-finding activity.] Fact finding Negotiatin g Solicitin g Bargainin g 6) In Government contracting, one criterion for cost allowability is that the contractor’s costs must comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and . [Recognize the importance of contractor finance principles to the defense acquisition process.] Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Lean Manufacturing Principles ISO 9001 Principles Cost as an Independent Variable (CAIV) Principles 7) In accordance with DoD acquisition policy and guidance, every program should consider, at a minimum, open systems architecture, human systems integration, . [Identify the key policy provisions that relate to how life cycle product systems engineering is performed in the Department of Defense.] Reliability, availability, and maintainability Profit margin Return on investment Return on assets 8) When applying the systems engineering process to determine the optimal design solution, the impact on both immediate costs and life cycle costs needs to be considered, with the greatest weight placed on immediate costs. [Apply the systems engineering process to determine a design solution to meet an operational need that demonstrates the balancing of Affordability objectives and technical activities.] True Fals e 9) When making tradeoffs among competing features, what can be used to quantifiably compare alternatives by selecting, weighting, and applying criteria? [Apply a tradeoff study process to evaluate alternatives.] Decision matrix Least squares regression analysis Delphi technique Parametric modeling 10) In our decision matrix, Option 1 receives a “3” for speed and a “1” for cost, and Option 2 receives a “2” for speed and a “2” for cost. The speed criterion has been assigned a weight of 0.2 and the cost criterion has been assigned a weight of 0.6. In accordance with the decision matrix approach, which of the following statements is true? [Apply a selective quantitative tool (e.g., decision matrix) to support a decision.] Option 2 is better than Option 1 because its total weighted score is higher. Option 1 is better than Option 2 because its total weighted score is higher. Option 1 is better than Option 2 because its total weighted score is lower. Option 1 and Option 2 each score a total of 1.4; therefore, either choice is fine. 11) The presents the total revenues and expenses of a company for a given period. [18c. Identify how the balance sheet and income statement portray the operating characteristics and health of a business.] Income Statement Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows Statement of Retained Earnings 12) Any cost necessary to the overall operation of the business is called . [19a. Differentiate generally between direct cost and indirect cost.] General and administrative (G&A) cost Overhead cost Direct materials cost Direct labor cost 13) For a contract cost to be considered "allowable," it must meet certain criteria. If the cost can be attributed to a specific contract, which one of the following criteria is met? [19b. Identify how indirect costs are allocated to a contract.] [Remediation Accessed :N] Allocabl e Consistent with the terms of the contract Reasonabl e Consistent with Government Cost Accounting Standards 14) Which of the following BEST describes the "Open System" design approach? [1c. Identify key acquisition best practices, including commercial practices that impact the relationship between Government and industry.] An approach which employs specifications and standards that have been widely adopted by industry for selected system interfaces. An approach that favors Government control of detailed designs to manage a program. An approach that prefers the contractor's proprietary unique interface standards third party certification. An approach that requires industry to comply with military specifications and standards. 15) shows how different parts of a system fit together from various perspectives as a system is designed and developed. [1d. Recognize the importance of modeling and simulation in the defense acquisition process.] [Remediation Accessed :N] Virtual Prototypes Technical Performance Measure Performance Measurement Baseline Technical Review 16) What problem-solving process is used within an Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) management process to provide a design that balances capability needs? [22a. Identify the role of systems engineering in balancing cost, schedule and performance throughout the life cycle.] Systems Engineering Technical Performance Measurement Configuration Management Test and Evaluation 17) Capabilities related to the support and operation of a system should be considered early and continuously in the design and development of a system. [22a2. Identify the role of life cycle product support and systems engineering in balancing cost, schedule and performance throughout the life cycle.] True Fals e 18) Which is true about the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? [24a. Identify the role of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in the systems engineering process.] The WBS is a tool that can help identify and assess technical risk. The WBS can be used to track contractor performance in terms of only cost against an established baseline. The WBS can be used to track key performance parameters against projected values as a system evolves over time. The WBS cannot be used by contract personnel. 19) Tracking Technical Performance Measures on high-risk components should provide: [24b. Use Technical Performance Measures to track progress in program risk areas during systems development.] Early warning signs of potential performance problems A baseline for preparing the technical Statement of Work A product and process oriented framework for the Work Breakdown Structure Detailed program cost and schedule data 20) Which of the following supportability analysis tools is used for defense planning and performed to determine the best, most efficient location where an item can be repaired? [33d. Identify Product Support Analyses (PSA) tools/best practices/techniques available in the systems engineering process to achieve the principal goals of supportability analyses.] Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Preventive Maintenance Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) 21) An effective organizational structure: [Explain how corporations use their organizations to implement their business strategies.] [Remediation Accessed :N] Supports the strategic goals of the company Facilitates stability and resistance to change Has as few top managers as possible Uses only the functional organizational structure 22) An effective organizational structure can create a competitive advantage by: [Recognize how company organizations can create a competitive advantage.] Facilitating responsiveness to change Focusing on only one company segment Facilitating stability and resistance to change Concentrating resources solely on customer support 23) Modeling and Simulation is a risk management tool that we use: [24d. Identify the role of modeling and simulation in the defense acquisition process.] In virtually all phases of the acquisition life cycle. Primarily in early development to support the Analysis of Alternatives. Exclusively for mature designs that will be produced in quantity. To avoid conducting developmental and operational testing. 24) Which of the following design features is NOT likely to improve supportability? [33b. Identify life cycle product support resource requirements and understand why it is important to influence system design for supportability.] Requirement for highly trained individuals to perform routine maintenance Minimum number of tools required for routine maintenance Use of minimum number of different sizes screws and bolts Built-in hard points to allow maintenance work without external stands or scaffolding 25) Which is more likely to decentralize staff functions, dedicating them to each business or product organization? [Recognize different typical company organizational models used between small and large business.] Larger companies Smaller companies Economically disadvantaged businesses Non-governmental organizations 26) For a cost in a contract to be considered allowable, it must meet certain criteria. One of the criteria that must be met is that . [Identify the five bases for cost allowability.] The cost must be reasonable The cost must exceed what a prudent business person would incur The cost need not be in compliance with industry accounting standards The cost must be exempt from compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations 27) Maintainability is how quickly, easily and cost effectively a system can be returned to operational status after maintenance is performed. It is measured by . [Identify the relationship of Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) and Supportability to life cycle product support, and its impact on system performance, operational effectiveness (including support), logistics planning, and life-cycle cost.] Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) Mean Time Between Critical Failures (MTBCF) Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) Mean Logistics Delay Time (MLDT) 28) Using , as part of the life cycle logistics and systems engineering processes to influence the design, also helps to determine the most cost effective way to support the system throughout its life. [Select appropriate management methods and techniques to achieve Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) and Supportability parameters.] Product Support Analysis (PSA) Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) An In-Service Review (ISR) A Full-Up Systems-Level (FUSL) test 29) Forward Pricing Rates Agreements are written negotiation agreements between the contractor and Government that provide . [Recognize the purpose and application of forward pricing rates to Government contracts.] [Remediation Accessed :N] Consistency in proposal pricing and save time Pricing rates for an undefined period of time Reasonable projections of easily identified specific costs Forward pricing rates that are estimated by using exact costs and prices 30) During the Developmental Test (DT) effort, the purpose of verification is to determine . [Identify how Test and Evaluation (T&E) supports the systems engineering process.] Whether or not the system meets its “build to” specifications Solutions to any unplanned technical issues that may arise Appropriate technical performance measures for a program The needed capabilities to reduce the program’s technical risk 31) Which of the following is something you should NOT do during negotiations? [Identify how to prepare for and support a negotiation.] Reach agreements on how to perform tasks. Establish action items or issue inquiries if the contractor doesn’t answer. Verify that the contractor representatives speak for the company on each discussion item. Draw out the basis of the contractor’s estimate. Module 3 Exam, Part I Back to Status page contains 31 Questions 1) shows how different parts of a system fit together from various perspectives as a system is designed and developed. [1d. Recognize the importance of modeling and simulation as a tool in the systems engineering process.] Virtual Prototypes Technical Performance Measure Performance Measurement Baseline Technical Review 2) The capability of a system design to support operations and readiness at an affordable cost throughout the system's life is best described as . [22a2. Identify the role of life cycle product support and systems engineering in balancing cost, schedule and performance throughout the life cycle.] Supportabili ty Maintainabili ty Producibilit y Reliabilit y 3) Which Systems Engineering tool would be used to describe the products to be developed under the terms of the contract? [24a. Identify the role of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in the systems engineering process.] Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Trade Study Technical Performance Measurement (TPM) Modeling and Simulation 4) Who is responsible for formally representing the Government during contract negotiations? [16a. Identify the role and responsibility of the participants in fact finding and negotiations.] Contracting Officer Program Manager Source Selection Authority Source Selection Evaluation Board 5) Any cost necessary to the overall operation of the business is called . [19a. Differentiate generally between direct cost and indirect cost.] General and administrative (G&A) cost Overhead cost Direct materials cost Direct labor cost 6) Ultimately, the use of open systems design is expected to result in lower life cycle costs. [1c. Identify key acquisition best practices, including commercial practices that impact the relationship between Government and industry.] Fals e True 7) Which is NOT TRUE about Systems Engineering? [22a. Identify the role of systems engineering in balancing cost, schedule and performance throughout the life cycle.] It ensures the lowest possible production cost and shortest program schedule. It is iteratively applied throughout a system's development. It is fundamentally a problem solving process. It addresses issues like supportability and interoperability using the Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) process. 8) Tracking Technical Performance Measures on high-risk components should provide: [24b. Use Technical Performance Measures to track progress in program risk areas during systems development.] Early warning signs of potential performance problems A baseline for preparing the technical Statement of Work A product and process oriented framework for the Work Breakdown Structure Detailed program cost and schedule data 9) Modeling and Simulation is a risk management tool that we use: [24d. Identify the role of modeling and simulation in the defense acquisition process.] In virtually all phases of the acquisition life cycle. Primarily in early development to support the Analysis of Alternatives. Exclusively for mature designs that will be produced in quantity. To avoid conducting developmental and operational testing. 10) Three critical factors in achieving maximum Operational Availability (AO) are: [33b. Identify life cycle product support resource requirements and understand why it is important to influence system design for supportability.] Reliability, maintainability and supportability Transportability, survivability and affordability Vulnerability, interoperability and simplicity Viability, deniability and versatility 11) Which of the following supportability analysis tools relies on scheduled maintenance to spot a failure before it impacts system effectiveness? [33d. Identify Product Support Analyses (PSA) tools/best practices/techniques available in the systems engineering process to achieve the principal goals of supportability analyses.] Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) Test, Analyze, Fix and Test (TAFT) 12) A company’s organizational structure supports its business strategy by: [Explain how corporations use their organizations to implement their business strategies.] Focusing resources where needed to achieve corporate goals and objectives Having as many managers as possible Using only the divisional organizational structure Focusing on only one area 13) An effective organizational structure can create a competitive advantage by: [Recognize how company organizations can create a competitive advantage.] Facilitating responsiveness to change Focusing on only one company segment Facilitating stability and resistance to change Concentrating resources solely on customer support 14) companies often centralize staff functions to support all business units; companies often decentralize staff functions, dedicating them to each business or product organization. [Recognize different typical company organizational models used between small and large business.] Smaller/large r Larger/smalle r Divisional/matri x Divisional/function al 15) During source selection, a contractor calls you with a question about the Request for Proposal (RFP). To whom should you refer this inquiry? [Identify the complementary roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Officer and the Program Manager in their partnership during source selection.] Contracting Officer Program Manager Deputy Program Manager Lead Systems Engineer 16) For a cost to be considered allocable to a contract, it must be a cost that is incurred specifically for a contract, or a cost that is beneficial to both the contract and other work, or . [Identify the five bases for cost allowability.] A cost that is necessary for the overall operation of the business but not directly related to a contract Any cost incurred by a contractor doing business with the Government Any cost that is exempt from compliance with Government and industry accounting standards Any indirect cost that is not part of the manufacturing overhead cost pool Administrative delays caused by personnel or paperwork Due to having all parts on hand before starting maintenance The ease with which the required repair can be made by the technician The ease with which the part can be viewed and accessed by the technician 18) Using Supportability Analysis, is a tool that examines each failure to determine and classify its effect on the entire system. [Select appropriate management methods and techniques to achieve Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) and Supportability parameters.] Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Test, Analyze, Fix, and Test (TAFT) Mean Down Time (MDT) 19) Forward Pricing Rates Agreements are written negotiation agreements between the contractor and Government that provide . [Recognize the purpose and application of forward pricing rates to Government contracts.] Consistency in proposal pricing and save time Pricing rates for an undefined period of time Reasonable projections of easily identified specific costs Forward pricing rates that are estimated by using exact costs and prices 20) During the Developmental Test (DT) effort, the purpose of verification is to determine . [Identify how Test and Evaluation (T&E) supports the systems engineering process.] Whether or not the system meets its “build to” specifications Solutions to any unplanned technical issues that may arise Appropriate technical performance measures for a program The needed capabilities to reduce the program’s technical risk 21) The portion of the source selection process where the Government seeks to gain a complete understanding of the proposal and identify specific areas of concern is referred to as . [Identify how to prepare for and conduct a fact-finding activity.] Fact finding Negotiatin g Solicitin g Bargainin g 22) Which of the following is something you should NOT do during negotiations? [Identify how to prepare for and support a negotiation.] Reach agreements on how to perform tasks. Establish action items or issue inquiries if the contractor doesn’t answer. Verify that the contractor representatives speak for the company on each discussion item. Draw out the basis of the contractor’s estimate. 23) In Government contracting, one criterion for cost allowability is that the contractor’s costs must comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). [Recognize the importance of contractor finance principles to the defense acquisition process.] Fals e True 24) In accordance with DoD acquisition policy and guidance, every program should consider, at a minimum, open systems architecture, human systems integration, . [Identify the key policy provisions that relate to how life cycle product support and systems engineering is performed in the Department of Defense.] Reliability, availability, and maintainability Profit margin Return on investment Return on assets 25) In the process of conducting design considerations, a program’s systems engineers are deciding from among Components A, B, and C. All three components meet performance requirements. Component C has the highest initial cost; however, due to its superior reliability, it is projected to lead to lower life cycle costs than Components A and B in the long run, and this will help meet the program’s affordability goals. This is adequate justification for the team to select Component C. [Apply the systems engineering process to determine a design solution to meet an operational need that demonstrates the balancing of Affordability objectives and technical activities.] True Fals e 26) A decision matrix can be used to quantifiably compare alternatives when conducting the tradeoff process to create a supportable design that is also producible, testable, and . [Apply a tradeoff study process to evaluate alternatives.] Affordabl e Fina l Uniqu e State-of-the- art 27) In our decision matrix, Option 1 receives a “3” for speed and a “1” for cost, and Option 2 receives a “2” for speed and a “2” for cost. The speed criterion has been assigned a weight of 0.4 and the cost criterion has been assigned a weight of 0.6. In accordance with the decision matrix approach, which of the following statements is true? [Apply a selective quantitative tool (e.g., decision matrix) to support a decision.] Option 2 is better than Option 1 because its total weighted score is higher. Option 1 is better than Option 2 because its total weighted score is higher. Option 1 is better than Option 2 because its total weighted score is lower. Option 1 and Option 2 each score a total of 1.8; therefore, either choice is fine. 28) The Affordable System Operational Effectiveness (ASOE) concept places emphasis on the system’s ability to execute its mission, its reliability and maintainability, and . [Relate design, operational, and supportability characteristics to system readiness objectives.] Cost-effective responsiveness of the supply chain Limiting the need for Software-embedded systems Automated Information Systems Use of Commercial/Non-developmental items 29) The Air Force is procuring maintenance services, and the Contracting Officer decides that no discussions are required to select the best contractor. However, the contractor's proposal has a typographical error showing period of performance beginning 1 June rather than 1 July. What type of information exchange would be used to resolve this discrepancy? [15b. Differentiate among the various types of interaction between the Government and contractors, e.g., discussions, clarifications, deficiencies, communications, and exchanges.] Clarification s Communicatio ns Negotiation s Solicitation s 30) The presents the total revenues and expenses of a company for a given period. [18c. Identify how the balance sheet and income statement portray the operating characteristics and health of a business.] Income Statement Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows Statement of Retained Earnings 31) For a contract cost to be considered "allowable," it must meet certain criteria. If the cost does not exceed what a business person would be willing to pay in a competitive environment, which one of the following criteria is met? [19b. Identify how indirect costs are allocated to a contract.] Reasonabl e Allocabl e Consistent with Cost Accounting Standards Consistent with the terms of the contract 1) Maintainability is how quickly, easily and cost effectively a system can be returned to operational status after maintenance is performed. It is measured by . [Identify the relationship of Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) and Supportability to life cycle product support, and its impact on system performance, operational effectiveness (including support), logistics planning, and life-cycle cost.] Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) Mean Time Between Critical Failures (MTBCF) Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) Mean Logistics Delay Time (MLDT)