Basic Certification Contracting Exam
What are the 3 phases of contract life cycle? - Answer-Pre-Award, Award, and Post-
Award
The Pre-award phase consists of 2 primary activities, what are they? - Answer-
Develop Solicitation and Develop Offer
What one activity is in the award phase? - Answer-Form the Contract
The post-award phase is comprised of 2 primary activities, what are they? - Answer-
Perform Contract and Close Contract
Who develops a solitication? - Answer-The Government and the buyer
Who prepares an offer? - Answer-The Contractor and the seller
During the post-award phase while the contract is being performed, who has the
responsibility for quality? - Answer-The seller
What is the means by acquiring by contract with appropriated funds of supplies or
services by and for the use of the Federal Government through purchase or lease? -
Answer-Acquisition
What FAR part covers personal conflict of interest? - Answer-FAR Part 3
What FAR part covers organizational conflict of interest? - Answer-FAR Part 9
Who has the authority to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with law, to
determine the application of rules, regulations, and policies, on a specific contract? -
Answer-The Contracting Officer
Openness for the contracting officer applies primarily to? - Answer-The Acquisition
Team, Contractor, Offerors, and The Contracting Team
What is a Determination and Findings (D&F)? - Answer-Determination is a
conclusion or decision supported by the findings.
What is 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. - Answer-A
Determination and Findings (D&F)
What is it called when a practice of conducting acquisition actions of any kind at any
stage of the acquisition process that is inconsistent with the FAR? - Answer-
Deviation
What is a summary of the contractor's proposal, any field pricing assistance
recommendations, including the reasons for any pertinent variances from them, the
,Government's negotiation objective, and the negotiated position. Where the
determination of a fair and reasonable price is based on cost analysis, the summary
shall address each major cost element. When determination of a fair and reasonable
price is based on price analysis, the summary shall include the source and type of
data used to support the determination. - Answer-Negotiation
You need to document a business decision, such as the use of a specific contract
type. What document will you create? - Answer-A Determination and Findings (D&F)
At the conclusion of negotiations, the contracting officer will complete a what? -
Answer-Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM)
Prior to negotiation a sole source contract, the contracting officer must complete a
what? - Answer-Justification and Approval (J&A)
This form is used to award negotiated contracts in which signatures of both parties
on a single document is appropriate. - Answer-SF 26 - Award/Contract
This form is used to amend any solicitation or modify any contract. - Answer-SF 30 -
Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract
This form may be used to award either negotiated contracts or contracts utilizing
sealed bidding. - Answer-SF 33 - Solicitation, Offer, and Award
This form is used for soliciting offers and awarding contracts expected to exceed the
simplified acquisition threshold. These acquisitions must be for: (1) construction,
alteration or repair; OR (2) dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements. -
Answer-SF 1442 - Solicitation, Offer & Award
This form is required for solicitations for commercial items if the acquisition will
exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. It is encouraged for commercial
acquisitions not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. - Answer-SF 1449 -
Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items
This form is used for placing orders under indefinite-delivery contracts or if the SF
1449 is not used under simplified acquisition procedures. - Answer-DD 1155 - Order
for Supplies or Services
This form is used to facilitate a structured approach to profit/fee analysis. - Answer-
DD 1547 - Record of Weighted Guidelines Application
What aids both the Government and contractor personnel to (1) achieve a clear and
mutual understanding of all contract requirements, and (2) identify and resolve
potential problems. - Answer-Postaward Orientation
What is the general rule for ethical behavior? - Answer-The general rule is to avoid
strictly any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in
Government-contractor relationships.
,What was passed to deter subcontractors from making payments and contractors
from accepting payments for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding
favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or a subcontract relating to a
prime contract? - Answer-The Anti-Kickback Act of 1986
Any contractor bid or proposal information delivered to the Government with
restrictions on its use, modification, reproduction, release, performance, or display
may not be provided to third parties unless the intended recipient completes and
signs a what? - Answer-A Non-Disclosure Agreement
A what is a situation in which a covered employee has a financial interest, personal
activity, or relationship that could impair the employee's ability to act impartially and
in the best interest of the Government when performing under the contract. -
Answer-Personal Conflict of Interest
A contracting officer shall not knowingly award a contract to WHO or to a business
concern or other organization owned or substantially owned by this person (FAR
3.601). - Answer-a Government employee
What does OCI stand for? - Answer-Organizational Conflicts of Interest
An what is the existence of a set of circumstances in which a contractor may be
unable to render impartial advice to the government, or might have impaired
objectivity in performing contracted work, or may obtain an unfair competitive
advantage in the marketplace when competing for government work where that
unfair advantage is obtained performing a government contract. - Answer-
Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)
What are the 3 broad categories of OCI? - Answer-(1) Unequal Access, (2) Impaired
Objectivity, and (3) Biased Ground Rules
What is an unfair competitive advantage typically surfaces when a contractor obtains
information not generally available to competitors where such information would
assist the contractor in winning the contract award? - Answer-Unequal Access (part
of OCI)
This may happen when a support contractor is performing duties that involve
assessing or evaluating itself or a related entity. - Answer-Impaired Objectivity (part
of OCI)
This most often occurs when the contractor is writing the Statement of Work,
performing systems engineering, or providing technical direction efforts. - Answer-
Biased Ground rules (part of OCI)
What are the 3 basic approaches available to contractors and the Agency for dealing
with OCI issues? - Answer-(1) Avoid), (2) Neutralize, and (3) Mitigate
Can you award to a contractor if you determine there is an OCI? - Answer-If an OCI
exists, it may be best to cancel the RFP and make any needed changes to eliminate
any conflict.
, Who shall analyze planned acquisitions in order to (1) Identify and evaluate potential
organizational conflicts of interest as early in the acquisition process as possible; and
(2) Avoid, neutralize, or mitigate significant potential conflicts before contract award?
- Answer-The Contracting Officer
Government business shall be conducted in a manner that is above reproach, with
complete impartiality, and with preferential treatment for none. True or False? -
Answer-True
No person or other entity may disclose contractor bid or proposal information or
source selection information to any person other than a person authorized, in
accordance with applicable agency regulations or procedures, by the agency head or
the contracting officer to receive such information. True or False? - Answer-True
Federal employees are prohibited from soliciting or accepting gifts offered "because
of the employee's official position" or gifts offered by a "prohibited source." True or
Fale? - Answer-True
A "personal conflict of interest" is a situation where an individual is employed by a
defense contractor company and is in a position to materially influence DOD's
recommendations and/or decisions and, because of his/her personal activities,
relationships, or financial interests, may lack or appear to lack objectivity or appear
to be unduly influenced by personal financial interest. True or False? - Answer-True
What is FAR Part 10? - Answer-Market Research
(1) Delivering on a timely basis is the best-value products and services to the
customer and (2) maintaining the public's trust and fulfill public policy objectives is
what? - Answer-The vision of the Federal Acquisition System
What costs are in the Contracting Life-Cycle? - Answer-(1) Acquisition costs, (2)
Supporting costs, (3) Disposal costs, and (4) Operating costs
Market research shall be conducted when? - Answer-On an ongoing basis and
appropriate to the circumstances
Which person of the acquisition team can contractually obligate the Government? -
Answer-The Contracting Officer
Who is an individual, including a contracting officer's technical representative
(COTR), designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform
specific technical or administrative functions? - Answer-Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR)
IAW FAR 1.102-3, the Acquisition Team consists of participants who will participate
in the acquisition process at the appropriate time. Who are the participants? -
Answer-(1) customer/end-user, (2) technical personnel, (3) contracting personnel,
and (4) contractor personnel
What are the 3 phases of contract life cycle? - Answer-Pre-Award, Award, and Post-
Award
The Pre-award phase consists of 2 primary activities, what are they? - Answer-
Develop Solicitation and Develop Offer
What one activity is in the award phase? - Answer-Form the Contract
The post-award phase is comprised of 2 primary activities, what are they? - Answer-
Perform Contract and Close Contract
Who develops a solitication? - Answer-The Government and the buyer
Who prepares an offer? - Answer-The Contractor and the seller
During the post-award phase while the contract is being performed, who has the
responsibility for quality? - Answer-The seller
What is the means by acquiring by contract with appropriated funds of supplies or
services by and for the use of the Federal Government through purchase or lease? -
Answer-Acquisition
What FAR part covers personal conflict of interest? - Answer-FAR Part 3
What FAR part covers organizational conflict of interest? - Answer-FAR Part 9
Who has the authority to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with law, to
determine the application of rules, regulations, and policies, on a specific contract? -
Answer-The Contracting Officer
Openness for the contracting officer applies primarily to? - Answer-The Acquisition
Team, Contractor, Offerors, and The Contracting Team
What is a Determination and Findings (D&F)? - Answer-Determination is a
conclusion or decision supported by the findings.
What is 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. - Answer-A
Determination and Findings (D&F)
What is it called when a practice of conducting acquisition actions of any kind at any
stage of the acquisition process that is inconsistent with the FAR? - Answer-
Deviation
What is a summary of the contractor's proposal, any field pricing assistance
recommendations, including the reasons for any pertinent variances from them, the
,Government's negotiation objective, and the negotiated position. Where the
determination of a fair and reasonable price is based on cost analysis, the summary
shall address each major cost element. When determination of a fair and reasonable
price is based on price analysis, the summary shall include the source and type of
data used to support the determination. - Answer-Negotiation
You need to document a business decision, such as the use of a specific contract
type. What document will you create? - Answer-A Determination and Findings (D&F)
At the conclusion of negotiations, the contracting officer will complete a what? -
Answer-Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM)
Prior to negotiation a sole source contract, the contracting officer must complete a
what? - Answer-Justification and Approval (J&A)
This form is used to award negotiated contracts in which signatures of both parties
on a single document is appropriate. - Answer-SF 26 - Award/Contract
This form is used to amend any solicitation or modify any contract. - Answer-SF 30 -
Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract
This form may be used to award either negotiated contracts or contracts utilizing
sealed bidding. - Answer-SF 33 - Solicitation, Offer, and Award
This form is used for soliciting offers and awarding contracts expected to exceed the
simplified acquisition threshold. These acquisitions must be for: (1) construction,
alteration or repair; OR (2) dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements. -
Answer-SF 1442 - Solicitation, Offer & Award
This form is required for solicitations for commercial items if the acquisition will
exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. It is encouraged for commercial
acquisitions not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. - Answer-SF 1449 -
Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items
This form is used for placing orders under indefinite-delivery contracts or if the SF
1449 is not used under simplified acquisition procedures. - Answer-DD 1155 - Order
for Supplies or Services
This form is used to facilitate a structured approach to profit/fee analysis. - Answer-
DD 1547 - Record of Weighted Guidelines Application
What aids both the Government and contractor personnel to (1) achieve a clear and
mutual understanding of all contract requirements, and (2) identify and resolve
potential problems. - Answer-Postaward Orientation
What is the general rule for ethical behavior? - Answer-The general rule is to avoid
strictly any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in
Government-contractor relationships.
,What was passed to deter subcontractors from making payments and contractors
from accepting payments for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding
favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or a subcontract relating to a
prime contract? - Answer-The Anti-Kickback Act of 1986
Any contractor bid or proposal information delivered to the Government with
restrictions on its use, modification, reproduction, release, performance, or display
may not be provided to third parties unless the intended recipient completes and
signs a what? - Answer-A Non-Disclosure Agreement
A what is a situation in which a covered employee has a financial interest, personal
activity, or relationship that could impair the employee's ability to act impartially and
in the best interest of the Government when performing under the contract. -
Answer-Personal Conflict of Interest
A contracting officer shall not knowingly award a contract to WHO or to a business
concern or other organization owned or substantially owned by this person (FAR
3.601). - Answer-a Government employee
What does OCI stand for? - Answer-Organizational Conflicts of Interest
An what is the existence of a set of circumstances in which a contractor may be
unable to render impartial advice to the government, or might have impaired
objectivity in performing contracted work, or may obtain an unfair competitive
advantage in the marketplace when competing for government work where that
unfair advantage is obtained performing a government contract. - Answer-
Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)
What are the 3 broad categories of OCI? - Answer-(1) Unequal Access, (2) Impaired
Objectivity, and (3) Biased Ground Rules
What is an unfair competitive advantage typically surfaces when a contractor obtains
information not generally available to competitors where such information would
assist the contractor in winning the contract award? - Answer-Unequal Access (part
of OCI)
This may happen when a support contractor is performing duties that involve
assessing or evaluating itself or a related entity. - Answer-Impaired Objectivity (part
of OCI)
This most often occurs when the contractor is writing the Statement of Work,
performing systems engineering, or providing technical direction efforts. - Answer-
Biased Ground rules (part of OCI)
What are the 3 basic approaches available to contractors and the Agency for dealing
with OCI issues? - Answer-(1) Avoid), (2) Neutralize, and (3) Mitigate
Can you award to a contractor if you determine there is an OCI? - Answer-If an OCI
exists, it may be best to cancel the RFP and make any needed changes to eliminate
any conflict.
, Who shall analyze planned acquisitions in order to (1) Identify and evaluate potential
organizational conflicts of interest as early in the acquisition process as possible; and
(2) Avoid, neutralize, or mitigate significant potential conflicts before contract award?
- Answer-The Contracting Officer
Government business shall be conducted in a manner that is above reproach, with
complete impartiality, and with preferential treatment for none. True or False? -
Answer-True
No person or other entity may disclose contractor bid or proposal information or
source selection information to any person other than a person authorized, in
accordance with applicable agency regulations or procedures, by the agency head or
the contracting officer to receive such information. True or False? - Answer-True
Federal employees are prohibited from soliciting or accepting gifts offered "because
of the employee's official position" or gifts offered by a "prohibited source." True or
Fale? - Answer-True
A "personal conflict of interest" is a situation where an individual is employed by a
defense contractor company and is in a position to materially influence DOD's
recommendations and/or decisions and, because of his/her personal activities,
relationships, or financial interests, may lack or appear to lack objectivity or appear
to be unduly influenced by personal financial interest. True or False? - Answer-True
What is FAR Part 10? - Answer-Market Research
(1) Delivering on a timely basis is the best-value products and services to the
customer and (2) maintaining the public's trust and fulfill public policy objectives is
what? - Answer-The vision of the Federal Acquisition System
What costs are in the Contracting Life-Cycle? - Answer-(1) Acquisition costs, (2)
Supporting costs, (3) Disposal costs, and (4) Operating costs
Market research shall be conducted when? - Answer-On an ongoing basis and
appropriate to the circumstances
Which person of the acquisition team can contractually obligate the Government? -
Answer-The Contracting Officer
Who is an individual, including a contracting officer's technical representative
(COTR), designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform
specific technical or administrative functions? - Answer-Contracting Officer's
Representative (COR)
IAW FAR 1.102-3, the Acquisition Team consists of participants who will participate
in the acquisition process at the appropriate time. Who are the participants? -
Answer-(1) customer/end-user, (2) technical personnel, (3) contracting personnel,
and (4) contractor personnel
