NASPO CPPB Prep Exam Preparation Newest
2025/2026 Complete 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)|Already Graded A+
Introduction
This practice examination mirrors the scope, cognitive level and 2025/2026 content
outline of the NASPO Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB) certification test.
Domains covered include public procurement laws & regulations, sourcing methods,
contract administration, ethics, purchasing principles, supplier relations, risk &
compliance.
All items are original and mapped to current NASPO standards, the Model Procurement
Code, FAR references, and Uniform Guidance to support mastery-level performance on
the 100-question CBT exam.
General Instructions
• Choose the ONE best answer for each scenario.
• Total: 100 questions (all scored).
• Reference: NASPO Model Procurement Code 2024, 2 C.F.R. §200, FAR Part 13,
UPPCC Ethics.
• Passing scaled score: determined by cut-score study (historical ≈ 70 %).
Questions
Question 1
A state agency receives an unsolicited proposal for an innovative solar lighting system.
The procurement officer (PO) wants to accept the proposal for evaluation. Under the
NASPO Model Procurement Code, the most appropriate next step is:
A. Accept the proposal without competition under the “sole source” authority.
B. Reject the proposal outright because all procurements must be competitive.
C. Publish a public notice inviting other vendors to submit competing proposals.
D. Request a cost-benefit analysis and then negotiate directly with the offeror.
Answer: C. Publish a public notice inviting other vendors to submit competing
proposals.
Solution: MPC § 6-205 allows unsolicited proposals but requires public notice and
opportunity for competition unless sole-source criteria are met (not yet demonstrated).
pg. 1
,Question 2
Which threshold triggers the requirement for sealed bids under the Model Procurement
Code for construction contracts?
A. $10,000
B. $50,000
C. $100,000
D. Established by individual state statute
Answer: D. Established by individual state statute
Solution: The MPC sets framework; dollar thresholds are determined by each state’s
enabling legislation (e.g., “small purchase” limits vary).
Question 3
During evaluation of a competitive sealed proposal, the agency discovers Vendor A’s
price is 15 % below the engineer’s estimate while Vendor B is 5 % above. The evaluation
committee should:
A. Reject Vendor A for unbalanced pricing.
B. Award to Vendor A if technically acceptable and price is realistic.
C. Always award to the lowest responsive offer.
D. Request best and final offers from both vendors.
Answer: B. Award to Vendor A if technically acceptable and price is realistic.
Solution: Low price alone is not unbalanced; realism is judged against estimate and
technical merit. MPC permits award to lowest responsive, responsible offer.
Question 4
A protest is filed 5 business days after award notification. Under the MPC, the protestor
must:
A. Post a protest bond equal to 1 % of contract value.
B. Demonstrate likelihood of success on the merits.
C. Exhaust administrative remedies before judicial review.
D. File within 7 days—no additional requirements.
Answer: C. Exhaust administrative remedies before judicial review.
Solution: MPC § 6-601 requires exhaustion of administrative protest process; bond and
likelihood standards vary by state but exhaustion is universal.
Question 5
Which source selection method is most appropriate for acquiring architectural design
services under the Brooks Act?
pg. 2
, A. Low-bid sealed bidding
B. Competitive sealed proposals with cost/technical trade-off
C. Qualifications-based selection (QBS) with negotiation
D. Reverse auction
Answer: C. Qualifications-based selection (QBS) with negotiation
Solution: Brooks Act (40 U.S.C. § 1102) mandates QBS for A-E services—rank by
qualifications, negotiate price with most qualified.
Question 6
A public agency intends to piggyback onto an existing state contract. The original
solicitation included a “piggyback” clause. The agency must:
A. Still conduct its own competitive solicitation.
B. Evaluate prices independently.
C. Issue a purchase order under the existing contract terms.
D. Obtain a cost-benefit analysis from the state.
Answer: C. Issue a purchase order under the existing contract terms.
Solution: Piggyback clauses allow other governmental entities to use the contract
without new competition, provided scope and pricing are unchanged.
Question 7
An agency uses a reverse auction for commodity purchase. The award criterion is:
A. Lowest bid meeting specifications
B. Best value trade-off
C. Highest technical score
D. Life-cycle cost only
Answer: A. Lowest bid meeting specifications
Solution: Reverse auctions are price-driven; award is to the lowest responsive,
responsible bidder meeting specs (MPC § 6-204).
Question 8
A vendor requests a pre-proposal conference for an RFP. The agency may:
A. Deny the request—conferences are optional.
B. Charge attendance fees to cover costs.
C. Require attendance as a condition of responsiveness.
D. Record minutes and distribute to all offerors.
pg. 3
2025/2026 Complete 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)|Already Graded A+
Introduction
This practice examination mirrors the scope, cognitive level and 2025/2026 content
outline of the NASPO Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB) certification test.
Domains covered include public procurement laws & regulations, sourcing methods,
contract administration, ethics, purchasing principles, supplier relations, risk &
compliance.
All items are original and mapped to current NASPO standards, the Model Procurement
Code, FAR references, and Uniform Guidance to support mastery-level performance on
the 100-question CBT exam.
General Instructions
• Choose the ONE best answer for each scenario.
• Total: 100 questions (all scored).
• Reference: NASPO Model Procurement Code 2024, 2 C.F.R. §200, FAR Part 13,
UPPCC Ethics.
• Passing scaled score: determined by cut-score study (historical ≈ 70 %).
Questions
Question 1
A state agency receives an unsolicited proposal for an innovative solar lighting system.
The procurement officer (PO) wants to accept the proposal for evaluation. Under the
NASPO Model Procurement Code, the most appropriate next step is:
A. Accept the proposal without competition under the “sole source” authority.
B. Reject the proposal outright because all procurements must be competitive.
C. Publish a public notice inviting other vendors to submit competing proposals.
D. Request a cost-benefit analysis and then negotiate directly with the offeror.
Answer: C. Publish a public notice inviting other vendors to submit competing
proposals.
Solution: MPC § 6-205 allows unsolicited proposals but requires public notice and
opportunity for competition unless sole-source criteria are met (not yet demonstrated).
pg. 1
,Question 2
Which threshold triggers the requirement for sealed bids under the Model Procurement
Code for construction contracts?
A. $10,000
B. $50,000
C. $100,000
D. Established by individual state statute
Answer: D. Established by individual state statute
Solution: The MPC sets framework; dollar thresholds are determined by each state’s
enabling legislation (e.g., “small purchase” limits vary).
Question 3
During evaluation of a competitive sealed proposal, the agency discovers Vendor A’s
price is 15 % below the engineer’s estimate while Vendor B is 5 % above. The evaluation
committee should:
A. Reject Vendor A for unbalanced pricing.
B. Award to Vendor A if technically acceptable and price is realistic.
C. Always award to the lowest responsive offer.
D. Request best and final offers from both vendors.
Answer: B. Award to Vendor A if technically acceptable and price is realistic.
Solution: Low price alone is not unbalanced; realism is judged against estimate and
technical merit. MPC permits award to lowest responsive, responsible offer.
Question 4
A protest is filed 5 business days after award notification. Under the MPC, the protestor
must:
A. Post a protest bond equal to 1 % of contract value.
B. Demonstrate likelihood of success on the merits.
C. Exhaust administrative remedies before judicial review.
D. File within 7 days—no additional requirements.
Answer: C. Exhaust administrative remedies before judicial review.
Solution: MPC § 6-601 requires exhaustion of administrative protest process; bond and
likelihood standards vary by state but exhaustion is universal.
Question 5
Which source selection method is most appropriate for acquiring architectural design
services under the Brooks Act?
pg. 2
, A. Low-bid sealed bidding
B. Competitive sealed proposals with cost/technical trade-off
C. Qualifications-based selection (QBS) with negotiation
D. Reverse auction
Answer: C. Qualifications-based selection (QBS) with negotiation
Solution: Brooks Act (40 U.S.C. § 1102) mandates QBS for A-E services—rank by
qualifications, negotiate price with most qualified.
Question 6
A public agency intends to piggyback onto an existing state contract. The original
solicitation included a “piggyback” clause. The agency must:
A. Still conduct its own competitive solicitation.
B. Evaluate prices independently.
C. Issue a purchase order under the existing contract terms.
D. Obtain a cost-benefit analysis from the state.
Answer: C. Issue a purchase order under the existing contract terms.
Solution: Piggyback clauses allow other governmental entities to use the contract
without new competition, provided scope and pricing are unchanged.
Question 7
An agency uses a reverse auction for commodity purchase. The award criterion is:
A. Lowest bid meeting specifications
B. Best value trade-off
C. Highest technical score
D. Life-cycle cost only
Answer: A. Lowest bid meeting specifications
Solution: Reverse auctions are price-driven; award is to the lowest responsive,
responsible bidder meeting specs (MPC § 6-204).
Question 8
A vendor requests a pre-proposal conference for an RFP. The agency may:
A. Deny the request—conferences are optional.
B. Charge attendance fees to cover costs.
C. Require attendance as a condition of responsiveness.
D. Record minutes and distribute to all offerors.
pg. 3
