ACO CORB FINAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
● What is the difference between an ACO and a CA? 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?
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)? 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)? 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. 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? 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? Answer: To ensure the
final agreed upon price is fair and reasonable.
● What is the difference between cost, and price analysis? 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? 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.
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
● What is the difference between an ACO and a CA? 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?
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)? 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)? 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. 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? 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? Answer: To ensure the
final agreed upon price is fair and reasonable.
● What is the difference between cost, and price analysis? 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? 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.
