ACO CORB LATEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Address the importance of acquisition planning. What are some things that you, as a
KO, can do to assist the customer in acquisition planning? Additionally, discuss when
formal acquisition planning is required. - ✔✔FAR Part 7 This planning shall integrate the
efforts of all personnel responsible for significant aspects of the acquisition. The
purpose of this planning is to ensure that the Government meets its needs in the most
effective, economical, and timely manner. Agencies that have a detailed acquisition
planning system in place that generally meets the requirements of 7.104 and 7.105
need not revise their system to specifically meet all of these requirements.
The KO can help the customer determine the correct contract type and appropriate
consideration of the use of pre-existing contracts, including interagency and intra-
agency contracts, to fulfill the requirement, before awarding new contracts.
✔✔When do you perform market research, why is it necessary, and how is it
documented? Describe some of the market research techniques. FAR PART 10. MR is
necessary because competition will drive down prices and improve contract quality. MR
is documented via MRF and uploaded to the PCF File. - ✔✔We always perform market
research. There two types. 1. Strategic (Big picture, ongoing) 2. Tactical (focused and
detailed). The purpose of market research is to Define Market Segments, Develop a
view of basic market data, understand value chain and cost drivers, ID market
competitive dynamics, and review external best practices. The primary method of
market research is: industry experts, RFis, industry days, one on one interactions,
interviews, and industry engagements. Secondary sources are general news sources,
net search, industry publications, wall street analyst reports, and government
database/tools.
The extent of market research will vary, depending on such factors as urgency,
estimated dollar value, complexity, and past experience? The contracting officer may
use market research conducted within 18 months before the award of any task or
delivery order if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant. FAR 10.002(b)(1).
FAR PART 10. As defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 2.101) means;
collecting and analyzing information about capabilities within the market to satisfy
agency needs. A more elaborated definition of the concept is that "Market research is a
continuous process for gathering data on product characteristics, suppliers' capabilities,
and the business practices/trends that surround them -- plus the analysis of that data to
make smart acquisition decisions."
To understand the subject of market research we must begin within its definition of
being described as a "continuous process for gathering data." That process takes shape
from both a strategic and a tactical vantage point. Strategic market research is that
overarching process of market "surveillance" that will take place continuously
throughout the entire acquisition lifecycle. From the early stages of the Materiel Solutio
✔✔Discuss the differences in FAR Part 12 commercial procurement and non-
commercial procurement (FAR 14, 15) (for procurement not using FAR 13.5,
, commercial test procedures). - ✔✔A noncommercial item cannot be purchased using
FFP. DoD Source Selection Procedures are not required for FAR Part 12 Streamlined
Acquisitions
Procurements of commercial items are more streamlined and less burdensome on the
contracting officer in that they are subject to a set of simplified acquisition procedures
set forth in FAR Part 12 (or Part 8). In noncommercial item acquisitions, contractors are
subject to three highly burdensome requirements: 1) the FAR's cost principles, 2) the
Cost Accounting Standards, and 3) the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act. Cost
principles, as governed by FAR Part 31, define what costs can be recovered under a
government contract. Before a cost can be charged to the government, it must be 1)
allowable, 2) reasonable, and 3) allocable. The Cost Accounting Standards require
contractors to maintain a particular type of accounting system and delineate how to
account for certain types of costs. The Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act requires
vendors to submit certain cost or pricing data if the contract is expected to exceed
$750,000 so that the contracting officer may make a price reasonableness
determination. As part of complying with this statute, contractors must submit a
certificate attesting to the validity of prices and representations to the government.
✔✔When is certified cost and pricing data required? What are the exceptions to certified
cost and pricing data? - ✔✔TINA threshold is $750K or more. Used when there are not
normal market forces. i.e. one bidder, or govt. unique item. Bill of materials that is
current, accurate, and complete. Not used for competitive contracts. Three exceptions:
1. Competition 2. Commercial 3. Waiver
✔✔How do you determine if a small business category is applicable to your
procurement? What documentation is needed to support this determination? What are
different categories in the small business program? - ✔✔Refer to FAR Part 19. To
determine the correct SB category, I would talk to my SB POC and get an approved DD
2579. The FED GOV's policy is to maximize practicable opportunity in its acquisitions to
small businesses. The goal is to award 23% of contracts to small businesses. Small
businesses must be registered as such with the SBA. The categories of small
businesses are 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (members of a disadvantaged
group: African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, woman, or veteran owned).
Small Business Programs, only applies to contracts in the Unites States or its outlying
areas? See FAR 19.000(b). However, FAR 19.6, Certificates of Competency and
Determinations of Responsibility apply to contracts worldwide when dealing with U.S.
small business concerns.
✔✔One of your specialists is new to contracting policies and procedures and asks you
to explain a "D&F". How would you describe a D&F? - ✔✔A D&F is Written approval by
an authorized official that is required by statue or regulation as a prerequisite to taking
certain contract actions. A D&F is composed of two parts: (1) a determination that sets
forth a conclusion or decision, and (2) findings that are statements of fact or rationale
essential to support the determination and cover each requirement of the statute or
regulation. Definition: "Determination and Findings" means a special form of written
SOLUTIONS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Address the importance of acquisition planning. What are some things that you, as a
KO, can do to assist the customer in acquisition planning? Additionally, discuss when
formal acquisition planning is required. - ✔✔FAR Part 7 This planning shall integrate the
efforts of all personnel responsible for significant aspects of the acquisition. The
purpose of this planning is to ensure that the Government meets its needs in the most
effective, economical, and timely manner. Agencies that have a detailed acquisition
planning system in place that generally meets the requirements of 7.104 and 7.105
need not revise their system to specifically meet all of these requirements.
The KO can help the customer determine the correct contract type and appropriate
consideration of the use of pre-existing contracts, including interagency and intra-
agency contracts, to fulfill the requirement, before awarding new contracts.
✔✔When do you perform market research, why is it necessary, and how is it
documented? Describe some of the market research techniques. FAR PART 10. MR is
necessary because competition will drive down prices and improve contract quality. MR
is documented via MRF and uploaded to the PCF File. - ✔✔We always perform market
research. There two types. 1. Strategic (Big picture, ongoing) 2. Tactical (focused and
detailed). The purpose of market research is to Define Market Segments, Develop a
view of basic market data, understand value chain and cost drivers, ID market
competitive dynamics, and review external best practices. The primary method of
market research is: industry experts, RFis, industry days, one on one interactions,
interviews, and industry engagements. Secondary sources are general news sources,
net search, industry publications, wall street analyst reports, and government
database/tools.
The extent of market research will vary, depending on such factors as urgency,
estimated dollar value, complexity, and past experience? The contracting officer may
use market research conducted within 18 months before the award of any task or
delivery order if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant. FAR 10.002(b)(1).
FAR PART 10. As defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 2.101) means;
collecting and analyzing information about capabilities within the market to satisfy
agency needs. A more elaborated definition of the concept is that "Market research is a
continuous process for gathering data on product characteristics, suppliers' capabilities,
and the business practices/trends that surround them -- plus the analysis of that data to
make smart acquisition decisions."
To understand the subject of market research we must begin within its definition of
being described as a "continuous process for gathering data." That process takes shape
from both a strategic and a tactical vantage point. Strategic market research is that
overarching process of market "surveillance" that will take place continuously
throughout the entire acquisition lifecycle. From the early stages of the Materiel Solutio
✔✔Discuss the differences in FAR Part 12 commercial procurement and non-
commercial procurement (FAR 14, 15) (for procurement not using FAR 13.5,
, commercial test procedures). - ✔✔A noncommercial item cannot be purchased using
FFP. DoD Source Selection Procedures are not required for FAR Part 12 Streamlined
Acquisitions
Procurements of commercial items are more streamlined and less burdensome on the
contracting officer in that they are subject to a set of simplified acquisition procedures
set forth in FAR Part 12 (or Part 8). In noncommercial item acquisitions, contractors are
subject to three highly burdensome requirements: 1) the FAR's cost principles, 2) the
Cost Accounting Standards, and 3) the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act. Cost
principles, as governed by FAR Part 31, define what costs can be recovered under a
government contract. Before a cost can be charged to the government, it must be 1)
allowable, 2) reasonable, and 3) allocable. The Cost Accounting Standards require
contractors to maintain a particular type of accounting system and delineate how to
account for certain types of costs. The Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act requires
vendors to submit certain cost or pricing data if the contract is expected to exceed
$750,000 so that the contracting officer may make a price reasonableness
determination. As part of complying with this statute, contractors must submit a
certificate attesting to the validity of prices and representations to the government.
✔✔When is certified cost and pricing data required? What are the exceptions to certified
cost and pricing data? - ✔✔TINA threshold is $750K or more. Used when there are not
normal market forces. i.e. one bidder, or govt. unique item. Bill of materials that is
current, accurate, and complete. Not used for competitive contracts. Three exceptions:
1. Competition 2. Commercial 3. Waiver
✔✔How do you determine if a small business category is applicable to your
procurement? What documentation is needed to support this determination? What are
different categories in the small business program? - ✔✔Refer to FAR Part 19. To
determine the correct SB category, I would talk to my SB POC and get an approved DD
2579. The FED GOV's policy is to maximize practicable opportunity in its acquisitions to
small businesses. The goal is to award 23% of contracts to small businesses. Small
businesses must be registered as such with the SBA. The categories of small
businesses are 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (members of a disadvantaged
group: African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, woman, or veteran owned).
Small Business Programs, only applies to contracts in the Unites States or its outlying
areas? See FAR 19.000(b). However, FAR 19.6, Certificates of Competency and
Determinations of Responsibility apply to contracts worldwide when dealing with U.S.
small business concerns.
✔✔One of your specialists is new to contracting policies and procedures and asks you
to explain a "D&F". How would you describe a D&F? - ✔✔A D&F is Written approval by
an authorized official that is required by statue or regulation as a prerequisite to taking
certain contract actions. A D&F is composed of two parts: (1) a determination that sets
forth a conclusion or decision, and (2) findings that are statements of fact or rationale
essential to support the determination and cover each requirement of the statute or
regulation. Definition: "Determination and Findings" means a special form of written
