ACO CORB Questions With Complete Solutions
What are the responsibilities of an ACO? Correct Answer - The
ACO is responsible to ensure the best interest of the Government is
protected by ensuring the terms and conditions of the contracts are
appropriate and that all parties execute the contract according to
the terms and conditions of the contract. The ACO is responsible for
ensuring the DCMA mission of providing Contract Administration
services to DOD activities and its partners of the delivery of quality
products and services to the warfighter, on time and on cost, by
properly administrating FAR 42.302 and other applicable
regulations and instructions.
FAR 1.602-2 - "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."
What is the difference between an ACO and a CA? Correct Answer
- a. The ACO has a warrant that binds the government. The ACO
decisions and documents are binding.
b. The CA prepares documents up to signature but cannot bind the
government.
c. FAR 1.602-1 - "(a) Contracting officers have authority to enter
into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related
determinations and findings. Contracting officers may bind the
Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them.
Contracting officers shall receive from the appointing authority (see
1.603-1) clear instructions in writing regarding the limits of their
authority. Information on the limits of the contracting officers'
,authority shall be readily available to the public and agency
personnel."
What is the relationship between the prime and subcontractor?
Correct Answer - The prime is responsible to see that the
subcontractor performs IAW with the terms and conditions of the
contract. Our relationship is with the prime (privity of contract).
What are the basic sections of a contract under the Uniform Contract
Format (UCF)? Correct Answer - Part I is the "Schedule"
including the following sections:
A - Contract Form
B - Supplies/Services with Prices/Cost/Quantities/Delivery
C - Specifications/SOW/SOO/ORD
D - Packaging & Marking
E - Inspection & Acceptance
F - Delivery or Performance
G - Contract Administration Data including Line of Accounting
H - Special Contract Provisions
Part II are the "Contract Clauses" (Section I)
Part III is the "List of Attachments (Section J)
Part IV are the "Representations & Certifications"
K - Reps and Certs (These are now on-line in ORCA)
L - Instructions to Offerors (if applicable)
M - Evaluation Factors for Award (if applicable)
What are the characteristics of a contract line item (CLIN)?
Correct Answer - Characteristics of CLIN are: Separately
Identifiable, One fund citation, Separate Delivery Schedule, Single
Unit Price.
Explain what an Informational Subline Item is, and explain what a
Separately Identified Subline Item is. Correct Answer - a. An
informational subline item is used to provide information about the
,CLIN, like parts of a kit, but it shouldn't have a delivery information
tied to it for shipment or pricing information tied to it to for
payment purposes. Use Info CLINs to identify each accounting
classification citation (ACRN) that is assigned to a single line item.
Uses numeric suffix.
b. A separately identifiable subline item (subclin) has the same
characteristics of a CLIN so it would be used in situations with
similar characteristics. Use Sub CLINs to establish ACRNs for
severable quantities associated with a single accounting
classification. It can be scheduled or priced separately. Uses alpha
suffix.
What are the duties of an ACO? Correct Answer - The duties of
an ACO includes being responsible for the administration (including
closeout) of various types of contracts. ACO's organize team
members' work to ensure overall mission success - supporting the
warfighter. Perform administration functions such as determining
eligibility and verifying evidence for contract financing such as
progress payments, PBP, reviewing and making recommendations
on pricing reports, reviewing and negotiating orders, monitoring
contractor performance and compliance with contract (and
regulations). ACO's also monitor performance and take corrective
actions as necessary when problems arise regarding schedules, GFP,
quality assurance, or other issues. Assure contractor compliance
with CAS via reviews of disclosure statements and negotiate cost
impacts of accounting system changes. Determine allowability and
allocability of costs.
What is the objective of proposal analysis? Correct Answer -
To ensure the final agreed upon price is fair and reasonable.
What is the difference between cost, and price analysis? Correct
Answer - Price analysis is the process of examining and
, evaluating a proposed price without evaluating its separate cost
elements and proposed profit. FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)
Cost analysis is the review and evaluation of any of the separate cost
elements and profit or fee to determine a fair and reasonable price
or to determine cost realism. It is also the application of judgment to
determine how well the proposed costs represent what the cost of
the contract should be assuming reasonable economy and efficiency.
FAR 15.404-1(c)
You are assigned negotiation of an unpriced order consisting of
urgently needed spare parts. After receipt of the contractor's
proposal it is evident you will need more funding. You immediately
call the PCO who is out of the office for two weeks. The Contracting
Officer's Technical Representative tells you they talked with funding
personnel, that there is plenty of funding, to proceed and negotiate
with the contractor and that the PCO will provide additional funds
when they return. How would you handle this? Correct Answer -
To avoid anti-deficiency act violation ensure you get something in
writing showing availability of funds. Ask the COTR for a POC in the
finance office and advise that you are unable to proceed without
written confirmation of funding availability.
What is the difference between a PNOM & PNM? Correct Answer -
The Pre-Negotiation Objective (PNO) establishes the Government's
initial negotiation parameters before conducting the negotiation and
document the Assigned Individual's determination of a fair and
reasonable price. The Assigned Individual shall document the pre-
negotiation objectives in a PNOM and must consider the results of
the cost and pricing analysis report or other reports provided.
The Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM) is documentation of the
results of the negotiation. The Assigned Individual shall clearly state
in the PNM how the negotiated price was determined fair and
What are the responsibilities of an ACO? Correct Answer - The
ACO is responsible to ensure the best interest of the Government is
protected by ensuring the terms and conditions of the contracts are
appropriate and that all parties execute the contract according to
the terms and conditions of the contract. The ACO is responsible for
ensuring the DCMA mission of providing Contract Administration
services to DOD activities and its partners of the delivery of quality
products and services to the warfighter, on time and on cost, by
properly administrating FAR 42.302 and other applicable
regulations and instructions.
FAR 1.602-2 - "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."
What is the difference between an ACO and a CA? Correct Answer
- a. The ACO has a warrant that binds the government. The ACO
decisions and documents are binding.
b. The CA prepares documents up to signature but cannot bind the
government.
c. FAR 1.602-1 - "(a) Contracting officers have authority to enter
into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related
determinations and findings. Contracting officers may bind the
Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them.
Contracting officers shall receive from the appointing authority (see
1.603-1) clear instructions in writing regarding the limits of their
authority. Information on the limits of the contracting officers'
,authority shall be readily available to the public and agency
personnel."
What is the relationship between the prime and subcontractor?
Correct Answer - The prime is responsible to see that the
subcontractor performs IAW with the terms and conditions of the
contract. Our relationship is with the prime (privity of contract).
What are the basic sections of a contract under the Uniform Contract
Format (UCF)? Correct Answer - Part I is the "Schedule"
including the following sections:
A - Contract Form
B - Supplies/Services with Prices/Cost/Quantities/Delivery
C - Specifications/SOW/SOO/ORD
D - Packaging & Marking
E - Inspection & Acceptance
F - Delivery or Performance
G - Contract Administration Data including Line of Accounting
H - Special Contract Provisions
Part II are the "Contract Clauses" (Section I)
Part III is the "List of Attachments (Section J)
Part IV are the "Representations & Certifications"
K - Reps and Certs (These are now on-line in ORCA)
L - Instructions to Offerors (if applicable)
M - Evaluation Factors for Award (if applicable)
What are the characteristics of a contract line item (CLIN)?
Correct Answer - Characteristics of CLIN are: Separately
Identifiable, One fund citation, Separate Delivery Schedule, Single
Unit Price.
Explain what an Informational Subline Item is, and explain what a
Separately Identified Subline Item is. Correct Answer - a. An
informational subline item is used to provide information about the
,CLIN, like parts of a kit, but it shouldn't have a delivery information
tied to it for shipment or pricing information tied to it to for
payment purposes. Use Info CLINs to identify each accounting
classification citation (ACRN) that is assigned to a single line item.
Uses numeric suffix.
b. A separately identifiable subline item (subclin) has the same
characteristics of a CLIN so it would be used in situations with
similar characteristics. Use Sub CLINs to establish ACRNs for
severable quantities associated with a single accounting
classification. It can be scheduled or priced separately. Uses alpha
suffix.
What are the duties of an ACO? Correct Answer - The duties of
an ACO includes being responsible for the administration (including
closeout) of various types of contracts. ACO's organize team
members' work to ensure overall mission success - supporting the
warfighter. Perform administration functions such as determining
eligibility and verifying evidence for contract financing such as
progress payments, PBP, reviewing and making recommendations
on pricing reports, reviewing and negotiating orders, monitoring
contractor performance and compliance with contract (and
regulations). ACO's also monitor performance and take corrective
actions as necessary when problems arise regarding schedules, GFP,
quality assurance, or other issues. Assure contractor compliance
with CAS via reviews of disclosure statements and negotiate cost
impacts of accounting system changes. Determine allowability and
allocability of costs.
What is the objective of proposal analysis? Correct Answer -
To ensure the final agreed upon price is fair and reasonable.
What is the difference between cost, and price analysis? Correct
Answer - Price analysis is the process of examining and
, evaluating a proposed price without evaluating its separate cost
elements and proposed profit. FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)
Cost analysis is the review and evaluation of any of the separate cost
elements and profit or fee to determine a fair and reasonable price
or to determine cost realism. It is also the application of judgment to
determine how well the proposed costs represent what the cost of
the contract should be assuming reasonable economy and efficiency.
FAR 15.404-1(c)
You are assigned negotiation of an unpriced order consisting of
urgently needed spare parts. After receipt of the contractor's
proposal it is evident you will need more funding. You immediately
call the PCO who is out of the office for two weeks. The Contracting
Officer's Technical Representative tells you they talked with funding
personnel, that there is plenty of funding, to proceed and negotiate
with the contractor and that the PCO will provide additional funds
when they return. How would you handle this? Correct Answer -
To avoid anti-deficiency act violation ensure you get something in
writing showing availability of funds. Ask the COTR for a POC in the
finance office and advise that you are unable to proceed without
written confirmation of funding availability.
What is the difference between a PNOM & PNM? Correct Answer -
The Pre-Negotiation Objective (PNO) establishes the Government's
initial negotiation parameters before conducting the negotiation and
document the Assigned Individual's determination of a fair and
reasonable price. The Assigned Individual shall document the pre-
negotiation objectives in a PNOM and must consider the results of
the cost and pricing analysis report or other reports provided.
The Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM) is documentation of the
results of the negotiation. The Assigned Individual shall clearly state
in the PNM how the negotiated price was determined fair and
