TIER I CORB EXAM WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What do you envision is the role of your CORs? When are you required to appoint one?
What authorities are you allowed to delegate to your COR? What authorities are not
delegable to the COR? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.604 - A Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR) is an individual designated by the Contracting Officer to act as
their representative in the technical monitoring and surveillance of a contract. These
individuals serve as subject matter experts and perform surveillance of a contract to
insure that the goods and services obtained meet the government's acceptance
standards. A COR may be designated other administration duties by the contracting
officer. A COR should be nominated by the requirements official as early as practicable
in the acquisition process. A COR assist in the technical monitoring or administration of
a contract. (A) Contracting officers shall designate a COR for all service contracts,
including both firm-fixed-price and other than firm-fixed-price contracts, awarded by a
DoD component or by any other Federal agency on behalf of DoD. The surveillance
activities performed by CORs should be tailored to the dollar value/complexity of the
specific contract for which they are designated. The COR does not have the authority to
take any action, either directly or indirectly, that could change the price/cost or fee,
quantity, quality, scope, delivery schedule, labor mix or other terms and conditions of
the contract and/or task order. Only the contracting officer has the authority to make
such changes. CORs do not have contractual authority to issue directions or changes to
any contract or purchase order that affects price, quality, quantity, delivery, or any other
aspect that will change the terms and conditions of the contract. In cases where
changes have been made by unauthorized personnel, the Procuring Contracting Officer
(PCO) must be immediately notified. The PCO will then determine if the work performed
was within the scope of the original contract. If the work is determined to be outside the
scope o
What is a Contracting Officer? What is the authority given to a Contracting Officer?
What are the responsibilities of a Contracting Officer? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.602 - A
Contracting Officer is a person who has been given authority to enter into, administer,
and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings for the U.S.
Government.
Contracting Officers are responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions
for effective contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, and
safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships.
One of your specialists is new to contracting policies and procedures and asks you to
explain a "D&F". How would you describe a D&F? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.7 - .
Determination and Findings" means a special form of written approval by an authorized
official that is required by statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain
contract actions.
The "determination" is a conclusion or decision supported by the "findings.''
,The findings are statements of fact or rationale essential to support the determination
and must cover each requirement of the statute or regulation.
What is an unauthorized commitment? What steps do you take in evaluating,
processing and approving an unauthorized commitment? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.602-
3 - An unauthorized commitment is means an agreement that is not binding solely
because the Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into
that agreement on behalf of the Government. The act of approving an unauthorized
commitment is called a ratification. Unauthorized commitments may be ratified only
when the conditions of FAR 1.602-3(c) are met. a) Use of appropriated funds, b)
Provided to or accepted by the Government - received a benefit, c) Ratification official
has the authority to ratify, d) Resulting contract must otherwise be proper, e) Price must
be fair & reasonable, f) Funds are available and were available at the time the action
occurred, g) The CO recommends payments, h) It is IAW other requirements and
limitations
price is fair and reasonable
funds are available
funds were available at the time of the UAC
USG recieved benefit
KO has the authority to ratify
KO recommends payment
Resulting Contract is proper
As Contracting Officer, you have a unique role when it comes to representing the United
States of America. Please take a minute or two to describe this unique role, paying
particular attention to your allegiance to the US Government versus the contractor in
decisions regarding tax-payer dollars. CORRECT ANSWERS 1.602-3 - The candidate
should discuss in general terms the role and responsibility of a Contracting Officer (eg,
1) The only person who can bind the US Government; 2) Must be fair and impartial,
(etc., etc.). I think it important that the candidate also touch on the fact that they are to
look at and consider both sides of every situation (US Government and industry) and
make decisions on a fair, ethical, and impartial basis, not siding on the side of the US
Government (customer) simply because they are employed by same.
What should you do if you have any suspicion of any ethics violation or fraud? How do
you mentor and train your customer on ethics and fraud concerns? CORRECT
ANSWERS 3.104-7 - The KO must determine with the advise of legal, whether the
violation has any impact on the pending award or source selection. If there is no impact,
then contact and provide information to ethics advisor. If there is no potential impact,
then proceed with the award. If there is, then forward all information to the HCA.
Customers must be educated on procurement law and policy related to ethics. This
includes gifts, kickbacks, fraudulant activities, and reporting responsibilities
Discuss your understanding of SAM (System for Award Management Exclusions) and
how / when it is to be utilized. CORRECT ANSWERS 4.11 - (a) Offerors and quoters
are required to be registered in SAM at the time an offer or quotation is submitted in
, order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements except
for—
(1) Purchases under the micro-purchase threshold that use a Governmentwide
commercial purchase card as both the purchasing and payment mechanism, as
opposed to using the purchase card for payment only;
(2) Classified contracts (see 2.101) when registration in SAM, or use of SAM data,
could compromise the safeguarding of classified information or national security;
(3) Contracts awarded by-
(i) Deployed contracting officers in the course of military operations, including, but not
limited to, contingency operations as defined in 10 U.S.C.101(a)(13) or humanitarian or
peacekeeping operations as defined in 10 U.S.C.2302(8);
(ii) Contracting officers located outside the United States and its outlying areas, as
defined in 2.101, for work to be performed in support of diplomatic or developmental
operations, including those performed in support of foreign assistance programs
overseas, in an area that has been designated by the Department of State as a danger
pay post (see https://aoprals.state.gov/);or
(iii) Contracting officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to
natural or environmental disasters or national or civil emergencies, e.g., Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.5121);
(4) Contracts with individuals for performance outside the United States and its outlying
areas;
(5) Contracts awarded without providing for full and open competition due to unusual or
compelling urgency (see 6.302-2);
(6) Contract actions at or below $30,000 awarded to foreign vendors for work
performed outside the United States, if it is impractical to obtain SAM registra
Once all receivables have been delivered/completed and verified by the customer/COR,
the ACO or KO reviews the contract files for remaining closeout actions. Why is contract
closeout so important? What actions need to be taken in closeout? CORRECT
ANSWERS 4.804 - Extremely important because excess funds may need to be
deobligated; in addition, many types of contracts require the withholding of final
payments, which can amount to large sums of money for the Contractor (cash flow
issue). Closeout serves as the final point forensuring all deliverables are accepted by
the customer, contractor invoices submitted, and finance vouchers are paid.
Once invoice and payments are completed per the contract, request a release of claims,
complete a DD1594 and DD1597 (over SAT)
Why is it important to assure that FPDS-NG Contract Action Reports (CAR's) are
complete and accurate? CORRECT ANSWERS 5104 - Transparency, collects data
formulated for higher level reporting, etc. The FPDS provides a comprehenisve web-
based tool for agencies to report contract actions. The resulting data provides - (1) A
basis for recurring and special reports to the President, the Congress, the Government
Accountability Office, Federal executive agencies, and the general public. (2) A means
of measuring and assessing the effect of Federal contracting on the Nation's economy
and the extent to which small, veteran-owned small, service-disabled veteran-owned
small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small business concerns,
SOLUTIONS
What do you envision is the role of your CORs? When are you required to appoint one?
What authorities are you allowed to delegate to your COR? What authorities are not
delegable to the COR? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.604 - A Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR) is an individual designated by the Contracting Officer to act as
their representative in the technical monitoring and surveillance of a contract. These
individuals serve as subject matter experts and perform surveillance of a contract to
insure that the goods and services obtained meet the government's acceptance
standards. A COR may be designated other administration duties by the contracting
officer. A COR should be nominated by the requirements official as early as practicable
in the acquisition process. A COR assist in the technical monitoring or administration of
a contract. (A) Contracting officers shall designate a COR for all service contracts,
including both firm-fixed-price and other than firm-fixed-price contracts, awarded by a
DoD component or by any other Federal agency on behalf of DoD. The surveillance
activities performed by CORs should be tailored to the dollar value/complexity of the
specific contract for which they are designated. The COR does not have the authority to
take any action, either directly or indirectly, that could change the price/cost or fee,
quantity, quality, scope, delivery schedule, labor mix or other terms and conditions of
the contract and/or task order. Only the contracting officer has the authority to make
such changes. CORs do not have contractual authority to issue directions or changes to
any contract or purchase order that affects price, quality, quantity, delivery, or any other
aspect that will change the terms and conditions of the contract. In cases where
changes have been made by unauthorized personnel, the Procuring Contracting Officer
(PCO) must be immediately notified. The PCO will then determine if the work performed
was within the scope of the original contract. If the work is determined to be outside the
scope o
What is a Contracting Officer? What is the authority given to a Contracting Officer?
What are the responsibilities of a Contracting Officer? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.602 - A
Contracting Officer is a person who has been given authority to enter into, administer,
and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings for the U.S.
Government.
Contracting Officers are responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions
for effective contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, and
safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships.
One of your specialists is new to contracting policies and procedures and asks you to
explain a "D&F". How would you describe a D&F? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.7 - .
Determination and Findings" means a special form of written approval by an authorized
official that is required by statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain
contract actions.
The "determination" is a conclusion or decision supported by the "findings.''
,The findings are statements of fact or rationale essential to support the determination
and must cover each requirement of the statute or regulation.
What is an unauthorized commitment? What steps do you take in evaluating,
processing and approving an unauthorized commitment? CORRECT ANSWERS 1.602-
3 - An unauthorized commitment is means an agreement that is not binding solely
because the Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into
that agreement on behalf of the Government. The act of approving an unauthorized
commitment is called a ratification. Unauthorized commitments may be ratified only
when the conditions of FAR 1.602-3(c) are met. a) Use of appropriated funds, b)
Provided to or accepted by the Government - received a benefit, c) Ratification official
has the authority to ratify, d) Resulting contract must otherwise be proper, e) Price must
be fair & reasonable, f) Funds are available and were available at the time the action
occurred, g) The CO recommends payments, h) It is IAW other requirements and
limitations
price is fair and reasonable
funds are available
funds were available at the time of the UAC
USG recieved benefit
KO has the authority to ratify
KO recommends payment
Resulting Contract is proper
As Contracting Officer, you have a unique role when it comes to representing the United
States of America. Please take a minute or two to describe this unique role, paying
particular attention to your allegiance to the US Government versus the contractor in
decisions regarding tax-payer dollars. CORRECT ANSWERS 1.602-3 - The candidate
should discuss in general terms the role and responsibility of a Contracting Officer (eg,
1) The only person who can bind the US Government; 2) Must be fair and impartial,
(etc., etc.). I think it important that the candidate also touch on the fact that they are to
look at and consider both sides of every situation (US Government and industry) and
make decisions on a fair, ethical, and impartial basis, not siding on the side of the US
Government (customer) simply because they are employed by same.
What should you do if you have any suspicion of any ethics violation or fraud? How do
you mentor and train your customer on ethics and fraud concerns? CORRECT
ANSWERS 3.104-7 - The KO must determine with the advise of legal, whether the
violation has any impact on the pending award or source selection. If there is no impact,
then contact and provide information to ethics advisor. If there is no potential impact,
then proceed with the award. If there is, then forward all information to the HCA.
Customers must be educated on procurement law and policy related to ethics. This
includes gifts, kickbacks, fraudulant activities, and reporting responsibilities
Discuss your understanding of SAM (System for Award Management Exclusions) and
how / when it is to be utilized. CORRECT ANSWERS 4.11 - (a) Offerors and quoters
are required to be registered in SAM at the time an offer or quotation is submitted in
, order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements except
for—
(1) Purchases under the micro-purchase threshold that use a Governmentwide
commercial purchase card as both the purchasing and payment mechanism, as
opposed to using the purchase card for payment only;
(2) Classified contracts (see 2.101) when registration in SAM, or use of SAM data,
could compromise the safeguarding of classified information or national security;
(3) Contracts awarded by-
(i) Deployed contracting officers in the course of military operations, including, but not
limited to, contingency operations as defined in 10 U.S.C.101(a)(13) or humanitarian or
peacekeeping operations as defined in 10 U.S.C.2302(8);
(ii) Contracting officers located outside the United States and its outlying areas, as
defined in 2.101, for work to be performed in support of diplomatic or developmental
operations, including those performed in support of foreign assistance programs
overseas, in an area that has been designated by the Department of State as a danger
pay post (see https://aoprals.state.gov/);or
(iii) Contracting officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to
natural or environmental disasters or national or civil emergencies, e.g., Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.5121);
(4) Contracts with individuals for performance outside the United States and its outlying
areas;
(5) Contracts awarded without providing for full and open competition due to unusual or
compelling urgency (see 6.302-2);
(6) Contract actions at or below $30,000 awarded to foreign vendors for work
performed outside the United States, if it is impractical to obtain SAM registra
Once all receivables have been delivered/completed and verified by the customer/COR,
the ACO or KO reviews the contract files for remaining closeout actions. Why is contract
closeout so important? What actions need to be taken in closeout? CORRECT
ANSWERS 4.804 - Extremely important because excess funds may need to be
deobligated; in addition, many types of contracts require the withholding of final
payments, which can amount to large sums of money for the Contractor (cash flow
issue). Closeout serves as the final point forensuring all deliverables are accepted by
the customer, contractor invoices submitted, and finance vouchers are paid.
Once invoice and payments are completed per the contract, request a release of claims,
complete a DD1594 and DD1597 (over SAT)
Why is it important to assure that FPDS-NG Contract Action Reports (CAR's) are
complete and accurate? CORRECT ANSWERS 5104 - Transparency, collects data
formulated for higher level reporting, etc. The FPDS provides a comprehenisve web-
based tool for agencies to report contract actions. The resulting data provides - (1) A
basis for recurring and special reports to the President, the Congress, the Government
Accountability Office, Federal executive agencies, and the general public. (2) A means
of measuring and assessing the effect of Federal contracting on the Nation's economy
and the extent to which small, veteran-owned small, service-disabled veteran-owned
small, HUBZone small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small business concerns,
