CWCM PRACTICE TEST
Questions & Verified Answers
1. How often are statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds in the FAR
adjusted for inflation?
a) Every 3 years
b) Every 5 years (Correct)
c) Every 7 years
d) Every 10 years
Explanation: Statutory dollar thresholds in the FAR are typically reviewed and
adjusted for inflation every 5 years to account for changes in the economy.
2. A form of written approval signed by an authorized official that is required by
statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain contract actions is
defined as a:
a) Determination and Findings (Correct)
b) Contracting Memorandum
c) Justification and Approval Document
d) Contract Approval Form
Explanation: A Determination and Findings (D&F) is a formal document that
provides written approval for specific contract actions, especially when exceptions
to standard procedures are involved.
3. Contracting officers below the level of ___ shall be selected and appointed:
a) Contracting Manager
b) Contracting Specialist
c) Head of a contracting activity (Correct)
d) Acquisition Executive
,Explanation: The FAR specifies that contracting officers below the level of the
head of the contracting activity must be properly selected and appointed.
4. According to FAR conventions at Subpart 1.1, each authority is delegable
unless:
a) specifically stated otherwise (Correct)
b) approved by the head of agency
c) authorized in the agency’s internal policies
d) approved by the Chief of Contracting
Explanation: Delegations of authority in FAR are generally delegable unless
explicitly stated otherwise.
5. When an imperative sentence directs action in the FAR, who is responsible for
the action unless another party is expressly cited?
a) The Contracting Officer (Correct)
b) The Contracting Specialist
c) The Program Manager
d) The Legal Office
Explanation: In FAR, the Contracting Officer is typically responsible for executing
directives unless another party is explicitly designated.
6. Unauthorized commitments are agreements that are NOT binding solely
because:
a) the government official lacked the authority to enter into it (Correct)
b) the contractor refused to sign the contract
c) the agreement was verbal
d) the contract was not in writing
,Explanation: Unauthorized commitments occur when a government
representative lacks the authority to bind the government, making the agreement
non-binding.
7. The simplified acquisition threshold for any contract in support of contingency
operations to be awarded and performed outside the United States is:
a) $500,000
b) $750,000
c) $1 million (Correct)
d) $2 million
Explanation: For contingency operations outside the U.S., the simplified
acquisition threshold is generally set at $1 million.
8. Commercial Item:
a) A developmental item developed at private expense and sold in small quantities
b) A non-developmental item, if the procuring agency determines the item was
developed exclusively at private expense and sold in substantial quantities, on a
competitive basis, to multiple state and local governments (Correct)
c) Any item purchased from a commercial vendor
d) An item approved by the government for commercial use only
Explanation: Commercial items are defined by their development at private
expense, substantial sales, and availability in the commercial marketplace.
9. Consolidating two or more requirements for supplies or services previously
provided under separate smaller contracts into a solicitation for a single contract
that is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern is called:
a) bundling (Correct)
b) grouping
c) combining
d) consolidating
, Explanation: Bundling refers to combining multiple requirements into one
solicitation, which may limit small business participation.
10. Which of the following are included in the definitions of "contracts"?
a) Letter contracts and job orders (Correct)
b) Purchase orders only
c) Amendments and modifications
d) Informal agreements
Explanation: Letter contracts and job orders are recognized forms of contracts
under FAR.
11. The government can minimize the opportunity for buying in by using which
of the following techniques?
a) Single-source procurement
b) Open market purchases
c) Multiyear contracting, priced options, and amortization of nonrecurring costs
(Correct)
d) Sole source awards
Explanation: These techniques help reduce repeated procurement actions and
stabilize costs.
12. A contractor's arrangement to pay contingent fees for soliciting government
contracts is considered contrary to public policy because:
a) it violates FAR regulations
b) it may lead to exercise of improper influence (Correct)
c) it is illegal in all circumstances
d) it increases the contract cost
Explanation: Paying contingent fees can influence contractor behavior improperly
and is prohibited.
Questions & Verified Answers
1. How often are statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds in the FAR
adjusted for inflation?
a) Every 3 years
b) Every 5 years (Correct)
c) Every 7 years
d) Every 10 years
Explanation: Statutory dollar thresholds in the FAR are typically reviewed and
adjusted for inflation every 5 years to account for changes in the economy.
2. A form of written approval signed by an authorized official that is required by
statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain contract actions is
defined as a:
a) Determination and Findings (Correct)
b) Contracting Memorandum
c) Justification and Approval Document
d) Contract Approval Form
Explanation: A Determination and Findings (D&F) is a formal document that
provides written approval for specific contract actions, especially when exceptions
to standard procedures are involved.
3. Contracting officers below the level of ___ shall be selected and appointed:
a) Contracting Manager
b) Contracting Specialist
c) Head of a contracting activity (Correct)
d) Acquisition Executive
,Explanation: The FAR specifies that contracting officers below the level of the
head of the contracting activity must be properly selected and appointed.
4. According to FAR conventions at Subpart 1.1, each authority is delegable
unless:
a) specifically stated otherwise (Correct)
b) approved by the head of agency
c) authorized in the agency’s internal policies
d) approved by the Chief of Contracting
Explanation: Delegations of authority in FAR are generally delegable unless
explicitly stated otherwise.
5. When an imperative sentence directs action in the FAR, who is responsible for
the action unless another party is expressly cited?
a) The Contracting Officer (Correct)
b) The Contracting Specialist
c) The Program Manager
d) The Legal Office
Explanation: In FAR, the Contracting Officer is typically responsible for executing
directives unless another party is explicitly designated.
6. Unauthorized commitments are agreements that are NOT binding solely
because:
a) the government official lacked the authority to enter into it (Correct)
b) the contractor refused to sign the contract
c) the agreement was verbal
d) the contract was not in writing
,Explanation: Unauthorized commitments occur when a government
representative lacks the authority to bind the government, making the agreement
non-binding.
7. The simplified acquisition threshold for any contract in support of contingency
operations to be awarded and performed outside the United States is:
a) $500,000
b) $750,000
c) $1 million (Correct)
d) $2 million
Explanation: For contingency operations outside the U.S., the simplified
acquisition threshold is generally set at $1 million.
8. Commercial Item:
a) A developmental item developed at private expense and sold in small quantities
b) A non-developmental item, if the procuring agency determines the item was
developed exclusively at private expense and sold in substantial quantities, on a
competitive basis, to multiple state and local governments (Correct)
c) Any item purchased from a commercial vendor
d) An item approved by the government for commercial use only
Explanation: Commercial items are defined by their development at private
expense, substantial sales, and availability in the commercial marketplace.
9. Consolidating two or more requirements for supplies or services previously
provided under separate smaller contracts into a solicitation for a single contract
that is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern is called:
a) bundling (Correct)
b) grouping
c) combining
d) consolidating
, Explanation: Bundling refers to combining multiple requirements into one
solicitation, which may limit small business participation.
10. Which of the following are included in the definitions of "contracts"?
a) Letter contracts and job orders (Correct)
b) Purchase orders only
c) Amendments and modifications
d) Informal agreements
Explanation: Letter contracts and job orders are recognized forms of contracts
under FAR.
11. The government can minimize the opportunity for buying in by using which
of the following techniques?
a) Single-source procurement
b) Open market purchases
c) Multiyear contracting, priced options, and amortization of nonrecurring costs
(Correct)
d) Sole source awards
Explanation: These techniques help reduce repeated procurement actions and
stabilize costs.
12. A contractor's arrangement to pay contingent fees for soliciting government
contracts is considered contrary to public policy because:
a) it violates FAR regulations
b) it may lead to exercise of improper influence (Correct)
c) it is illegal in all circumstances
d) it increases the contract cost
Explanation: Paying contingent fees can influence contractor behavior improperly
and is prohibited.
