NIGP - CPP Exam Questions With Verified Answers

Your agency needs to construct a new high school. What's the difference between using the design-bid-build method versus design-build? Extra credit for explaining CM (construction manager) at risk. - Answer Design-bid-build method = The entity who needs a building constructed, or the project owner, hires a designer to draw up the schematics and plans for the building. The designer can then hire consultants as needed, who report directly to the designer. Once the building is drawn up, the designer is pretty much done with the project outside of consultation and tweaks as needed. With plans in hand, the project owner gets bids from various construction firms to construct the building. The project owner picks the bid they like best and hires the contractor. As with the designer, the contractor can hire subcontractors as needed who would report directly to them, not the project owner. Then, the building is constructed based on the schematics and documents that the designer made. Design-build method = There is only one contract. The person in need of a building, also known as a project owner, hires one person or company to both design and construct the building. This person, known as the design-builder, can hire design consultants and subcontractors as they see fit, but those employees would answer directly to the design-builder, not the project owner. A buyer for a governmental entity ran into the IT director in the break room while having a cup of coffee. The IT director is a new hire from the private sector. He indicated that he was planning a large purchase of external hard drives for use in the various offices. What should the buyer do with this information? - Answer Go back to his office and send the IT director an email recapping the discussion and requesting that he send a requisition with specifications. Off-the-shelf, commercially available and ready-made are all terms associated with: - Answer Standard Specification Which of the following options describes an important consideration when developing a strategic plan? - Answer Each element is aligned with and supports the other elements The four steps for the strategic planning development include: - Answer 1. Outline the entity's mission, programs, resources, and support systems. 2. Identify what works well and what needs improved. 3. Identify how improvements should be made and then determine the best method to make improvements. 4. Include the improvements as strategies in the strategic plan and connect to the alignment path. A school district buyer has a mandate from the Board to increase SWMBE (small, woman-owned, minority-owned business enterprise) opportunities. Which of the following would be the best step for her to take in order to do so. - Answer Engage DBEs in procurements which require little or no competition LEED provides a point rating system to score green building design and construction and points are distributed across eight credit categories: - Answer Sustainable Sites - This category measures the extent to which the entire property is used to mitigate the project's impact on the site. Water Efficiency - This category is evaluated by the level in which the construction project includes water conservation strategies, which may be inside or outside and build into the structure. Energy and Atmosphere - This category evaluates the measures taken to optimize energy efficiency and use of efficient HVAC systems. Materials and Resources - This category measures the means by which the amount of wastes may be reduced during the building of the structure; and selection of sustainable materials. Indoor Environmental Quality - This category evaluates the planning of optimal indoor air quality through the planned reduction of air pollution using energy-efficient appliances and other ventilation measures. Innovation in Design - This category includes the use of innovative measures in design and performance through collaborations by all stakeholders in the building process. Regional Priority - This category provides credits for construction planning which addresses challenges, which may be predetermined to be unique to the region in which the construction is located. Location and Transportation - This category evaluates the location of the project and the ease by which stakeholders may travel to and from the facility once it is completed. A Procurement Specialist in a large city is in the planning stages of a waste management contract in a municipality in which labor unions are prevalent. Which is a concern that may be addressed in the solicitation? - Answer Workers safety, The labor movement is often tied to worker safety. The International Labor Rights Forum works with networks around the world to address working conditions. An entity would like to invite more participation by local businesses. What strategy may the Procurement Officer use in order to do so? - Answer Speaking at local Chamber of Commerce meetings; Building relationships with suppliers through their organizations is a great way to show genuine interest in doing business with them and is the best choice. Strategic Planning - Answer A course of action to achieve long range goals, generally up to 5 years. Reflects the companies direction and its purpose as stated in the mission statement Tactical Planning - Answer Shorter time frame and narrower scope than strategic. A course of action to achieve short term generally within a year or less. They are concerned with the unit beneath top management must do, how they must do it and who has responsibility Regulation - Answer At statement by a Government body to implement , intrepid or prescribe law policy, or to describe the organization procedure or practice often promulgated in accordance with an administrative procedure act Policy - Answer Governing principle or plan that establishes the general parameters for an organization to follow in carrying out its responsibilities Procedures - Answer The detailed series of related activities that must be completed and the sequence in which they must be done to accomplish a given task Common Law - Answer Bodies of law not set up in statues or ordinances or regulations developed through court decisions Responsible - Answer A business entity or individual who has the integrity and reliability as well as the financial and technical capacity to preform the requirements of the solicitation and subsequent contract. Responsive - Answer A bid or proposal that fully conforms in all material respects to the Invitation to Bid IFB/Request for Proposal RFP and all of its requirements including all form and substance. Actual Authority - Answer The specific right to preform acts and make decisions or prescribe rules governing the conduct of others as given to an agent by a principle. Express Authority - Answer That authority that is explicitly given in direct language, rather than inferred from conduct. a Implied Authority - Answer an agent's authority to do things not specifically authorized in order to carry out express authority Apparent Authority - Answer Occurs when the principle allows or permits a person to function in a capacity that creates the illusion that the person is an authorized agent of the principle. Misson Statement - Answer A organizational statement that clearly and concisely address the future nature and purpose of the entity. A short statement the tells who the organization is and where they are going. SOAR Framework - Answer The SOAR Framework is similar to the SWOT analysis. Like the SWOT, it identifies internal as well as external forces; however, it focuses strictly on factors, which are considered to be "positive." The SOAR analysis identifies the organization's strengths and opportunities. The analysis removes the examination of Opportunities and Threats to identify Aspirations and Results. Users of the SOAR analysis model are focused on outcomes and attempts to determine where the organization wants to be. PESTEL Analysis - Answer The word PESTEL is a reference to the different factors to be analyzed: Political, Economic, Social, Technology, Environmental, and Legal. It is important to mention that the use of the PESTEL analysis may require the planning team to perform such research or gather data. This is especially true for the Economic and Technology categories. SWOT analysis - Answer The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis is a strategic planning model that helps organizations identify where they're doing well and where they can improve, both from an internal and external perspective. It helps you focus on your strengths, minimizes threats, and takes the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available to you.