CON 3990V Contracting Certification Final
Exam Mastery Bank 2026 | 150 Q&A | FAR &
DFARS 2026/2028 Edition | DAU/Pearson
VUE Style | PDF
INTRODUCTION
This 150-question practice bank is the definitive study tool for the CON 3990V Contracting
Professional Certification. Organized into three 50-question sections (Pre-Award, Award, and
Post-Award), it covers the most critical FAR parts including Part 12, 15, 19, 32, 43, and 49.
Every question features a high-quality explanation to ensure you understand federal acquisition
logic.
Section 1: Guiding Principles & Pre-Award Planning
1. A Program Manager asks a contractor to begin work on a new requirement before the
contract is officially awarded, promising that "the paperwork will catch up." If the
contractor begins work, what has been created?
A. A Letter Contract
B. An Options Contract
C. An Unauthorized Commitment
D. A Change Order
Answer: C. An Unauthorized Commitment
***Explanation: An unauthorized commitment is an agreement that is not binding
because the Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into
that agreement on behalf of the Government. Only a Contracting Officer (CO) has this
authority.
2. Which of the following is the primary "guiding principle" of the Federal Acquisition
System as stated in FAR 1.102?
A. To ensure the Government always pays the lowest possible price.
B. To maximize the use of commercial products and services.
C. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the customer, while
,maintaining the public's trust.
D. To provide 100% of all contract opportunities to small businesses.
Answer: C. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the
customer, while maintaining the public's trust.
***Explanation: FAR 1.102 defines the vision for the Acquisition System,
emphasizing best value, efficiency, and ethical conduct as the core objectives.
3. A Contracting Officer (CO) is reviewing a requirement for a specialized radar
component. Before deciding on the acquisition strategy, the CO must conduct market
research. According to FAR Part 10, when is market research mandatory?
A. Only for acquisitions exceeding $10 million.
B. Before developing new requirements and before soliciting offers for acquisitions over
the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
C. Only when the CO intends to use a sole-source justification.
D. Every time a contractor submits an invoice.
Answer: B. Before developing new requirements and before soliciting offers for
acquisitions over the SAT.
***Explanation: Market research is required to determine if commercial products
or services are available to meet the Government's needs, which promotes competition
and saves costs.
4. Which FAR Part should a Contracting Officer consult to find the "Priority of
Sources" for required supplies and services?
A. FAR Part 6
B. FAR Part 8
C. FAR Part 13
D. FAR Part 19
Answer: B. FAR Part 8
***Explanation: FAR Part 8 lists the mandatory sources in order of priority, such
as Agency Inventories, Excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries
(UNICOR), and AbilityOne.
5. A requirement is valued at $20,000. Which of the following describes the "Micro-
purchase Threshold" (MPT) policy for most DOD acquisitions?
A. Competition is required from at least three vendors.
B. The purchase must be set aside for a Woman-Owned Small Business.
,C. To the extent practicable, micro-purchases should be distributed equitably among
qualified suppliers.
D. A formal Justification and Approval (J&A) must be signed by the Head of the
Contracting Activity.
Answer: C. To the extent practicable, micro-purchases should be distributed
equitably among qualified suppliers.
***Explanation: Per FAR 13.203, micro-purchases do not require competitive
quotations if the CO considers the price to be reasonable, but they should be spread
among different vendors.
6. Which document is used to record the specific "terms and conditions" that apply
to a specific purchase?
A. The Market Research Report
B. The Solicitation
C. The Acquisition Plan
D. The Determination and Findings (D&F)
Answer: B. The Solicitation
***Explanation: The solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quote)
informs potential offerors of the Government's requirements and the rules they must
follow to compete.
7. An 1102 professional is found to have accepted a $50 gift card from a contractor.
Under the "Standards of Ethical Conduct," what is the general rule regarding gifts from
prohibited sources?
A. Gifts are always allowed if they are under $100.
B. Employees shall not solicit or accept gifts from prohibited sources or gifts given
because of their official position.
C. Gifts are allowed only if the contractor has an active contract.
D. Gift cards are considered "modest refreshments" and are exempt.
Answer: B. Employees shall not solicit or accept gifts from prohibited sources.
***Explanation: Federal ethics rules (5 CFR 2635) prohibit accepting gifts from
contractors, with very limited exceptions (the $20/$50 rule), but solicitation of any
amount is always prohibited.
8. "Full and Open Competition" is the standard for federal contracting. Which FAR
Part covers the exceptions that allow for "Other Than Full and Open Competition"?
, A. FAR Part 6
B. FAR Part 12
C. FAR Part 15
D. FAR Part 32
Answer: A. FAR Part 6
***Explanation: FAR Part 6 defines "Full and Open Competition" and provides
the seven statutory exceptions that allow for sole-source or limited competition.
9. A requirement is "bundled" when two or more requirements previously provided
under separate smaller contracts are combined into a single larger contract. Why is
bundling heavily regulated?
A. It increases the administrative workload for the Government.
B. it is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern.
C. It always results in higher prices for the Government.
D. It prevents large businesses from participating.
Answer: B. it is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern.
***Explanation: FAR 7.107 requires agencies to justify bundling because it can
limit small business participation in federal prime contracting.
10. What is the "Simplified Acquisition Threshold" (SAT) for most standard
acquisitions?
A. $10,000
B. $150,000
C. $250,000
D. $750,000
Answer: C. $250,000
***Explanation: While the SAT can be higher for acquisitions in support of
contingency operations or defense against attacks, the standard threshold for most
agencies is currently $250,000.
11. A contractor currently providing systems engineering and technical assistance
(SETA) for a major weapons program is barred from bidding on the production contract
for that same system. Which concept from FAR Part 9 does this prevent?
A. Personal Conflict of Interest
B. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)
Exam Mastery Bank 2026 | 150 Q&A | FAR &
DFARS 2026/2028 Edition | DAU/Pearson
VUE Style | PDF
INTRODUCTION
This 150-question practice bank is the definitive study tool for the CON 3990V Contracting
Professional Certification. Organized into three 50-question sections (Pre-Award, Award, and
Post-Award), it covers the most critical FAR parts including Part 12, 15, 19, 32, 43, and 49.
Every question features a high-quality explanation to ensure you understand federal acquisition
logic.
Section 1: Guiding Principles & Pre-Award Planning
1. A Program Manager asks a contractor to begin work on a new requirement before the
contract is officially awarded, promising that "the paperwork will catch up." If the
contractor begins work, what has been created?
A. A Letter Contract
B. An Options Contract
C. An Unauthorized Commitment
D. A Change Order
Answer: C. An Unauthorized Commitment
***Explanation: An unauthorized commitment is an agreement that is not binding
because the Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into
that agreement on behalf of the Government. Only a Contracting Officer (CO) has this
authority.
2. Which of the following is the primary "guiding principle" of the Federal Acquisition
System as stated in FAR 1.102?
A. To ensure the Government always pays the lowest possible price.
B. To maximize the use of commercial products and services.
C. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the customer, while
,maintaining the public's trust.
D. To provide 100% of all contract opportunities to small businesses.
Answer: C. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the
customer, while maintaining the public's trust.
***Explanation: FAR 1.102 defines the vision for the Acquisition System,
emphasizing best value, efficiency, and ethical conduct as the core objectives.
3. A Contracting Officer (CO) is reviewing a requirement for a specialized radar
component. Before deciding on the acquisition strategy, the CO must conduct market
research. According to FAR Part 10, when is market research mandatory?
A. Only for acquisitions exceeding $10 million.
B. Before developing new requirements and before soliciting offers for acquisitions over
the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
C. Only when the CO intends to use a sole-source justification.
D. Every time a contractor submits an invoice.
Answer: B. Before developing new requirements and before soliciting offers for
acquisitions over the SAT.
***Explanation: Market research is required to determine if commercial products
or services are available to meet the Government's needs, which promotes competition
and saves costs.
4. Which FAR Part should a Contracting Officer consult to find the "Priority of
Sources" for required supplies and services?
A. FAR Part 6
B. FAR Part 8
C. FAR Part 13
D. FAR Part 19
Answer: B. FAR Part 8
***Explanation: FAR Part 8 lists the mandatory sources in order of priority, such
as Agency Inventories, Excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries
(UNICOR), and AbilityOne.
5. A requirement is valued at $20,000. Which of the following describes the "Micro-
purchase Threshold" (MPT) policy for most DOD acquisitions?
A. Competition is required from at least three vendors.
B. The purchase must be set aside for a Woman-Owned Small Business.
,C. To the extent practicable, micro-purchases should be distributed equitably among
qualified suppliers.
D. A formal Justification and Approval (J&A) must be signed by the Head of the
Contracting Activity.
Answer: C. To the extent practicable, micro-purchases should be distributed
equitably among qualified suppliers.
***Explanation: Per FAR 13.203, micro-purchases do not require competitive
quotations if the CO considers the price to be reasonable, but they should be spread
among different vendors.
6. Which document is used to record the specific "terms and conditions" that apply
to a specific purchase?
A. The Market Research Report
B. The Solicitation
C. The Acquisition Plan
D. The Determination and Findings (D&F)
Answer: B. The Solicitation
***Explanation: The solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quote)
informs potential offerors of the Government's requirements and the rules they must
follow to compete.
7. An 1102 professional is found to have accepted a $50 gift card from a contractor.
Under the "Standards of Ethical Conduct," what is the general rule regarding gifts from
prohibited sources?
A. Gifts are always allowed if they are under $100.
B. Employees shall not solicit or accept gifts from prohibited sources or gifts given
because of their official position.
C. Gifts are allowed only if the contractor has an active contract.
D. Gift cards are considered "modest refreshments" and are exempt.
Answer: B. Employees shall not solicit or accept gifts from prohibited sources.
***Explanation: Federal ethics rules (5 CFR 2635) prohibit accepting gifts from
contractors, with very limited exceptions (the $20/$50 rule), but solicitation of any
amount is always prohibited.
8. "Full and Open Competition" is the standard for federal contracting. Which FAR
Part covers the exceptions that allow for "Other Than Full and Open Competition"?
, A. FAR Part 6
B. FAR Part 12
C. FAR Part 15
D. FAR Part 32
Answer: A. FAR Part 6
***Explanation: FAR Part 6 defines "Full and Open Competition" and provides
the seven statutory exceptions that allow for sole-source or limited competition.
9. A requirement is "bundled" when two or more requirements previously provided
under separate smaller contracts are combined into a single larger contract. Why is
bundling heavily regulated?
A. It increases the administrative workload for the Government.
B. it is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern.
C. It always results in higher prices for the Government.
D. It prevents large businesses from participating.
Answer: B. it is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern.
***Explanation: FAR 7.107 requires agencies to justify bundling because it can
limit small business participation in federal prime contracting.
10. What is the "Simplified Acquisition Threshold" (SAT) for most standard
acquisitions?
A. $10,000
B. $150,000
C. $250,000
D. $750,000
Answer: C. $250,000
***Explanation: While the SAT can be higher for acquisitions in support of
contingency operations or defense against attacks, the standard threshold for most
agencies is currently $250,000.
11. A contractor currently providing systems engineering and technical assistance
(SETA) for a major weapons program is barred from bidding on the production contract
for that same system. Which concept from FAR Part 9 does this prevent?
A. Personal Conflict of Interest
B. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)
