PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
This comprehensive examination guide contains all actual questions from the
CON 3990V Certification Exam for 2026. Each question includes the correct
answer and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying principles, regulatory
references, and practical applications. This document is organized by topic
area to facilitate systematic study and comprehension.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIT 1: FAR PART 13 - SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
UNIT 2: FAR PART 12 - ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
UNIT 3: CONTRACT TYPES AND PRICING ARRANGEMENTS
UNIT 4: CONTRACT FORMATION AND AWARD
UNIT 5: CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITY
UNIT 6: COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS
UNIT 7: PRICING AND COST DATA REQUIREMENTS
UNIT 8: CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS
UNIT 9: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
UNIT 10: CONTRACT CLOSE-OUT
UNIT 11: UNIFORM CONTRACT FORMAT (UCF)
UNIT 12: AUTHORITY AND BINDING AGREEMENTS
UNIT 13: MARKET RESEARCH AND SOLICITATION PLANNING
UNIT 14: CONTRACT LIFE CYCLE
UNIT 15: SYNTHESIS AND INTEGRATED REVIEW
UNIT 16: ADVANCED SCENARIO-BASED QUESTIONS
UNIT 17: COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
UNIT 18: SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS
UNIT 19: INSPECTION, ACCEPTANCE, AND WARRANTIES
UNIT 20: DISPUTES AND REMEDIES
UNIT 21: ETHICS AND PROCUREMENT INTEGRITY
UNIT 22: SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS
UNIT 23: EMERGENCY AND URGENT ACQUISITIONS
UNIT 24: COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CAS)
UNIT 25: FINAL COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
UNIT 26: ADVANCED PRICING ARRANGEMENTS
UNIT 27: CONTRACT PERFORMANCE AND MONITORING
UNIT 28: TERMINATION AND DEFAULT
UNIT 29: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND DATA RIGHTS
pg. 1
,UNIT 30: AGENCY-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS (DFARS, NFS, AIDAR)
UNIT 1: FAR PART 13 - SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
QUESTION 1.1
FAR 13.004 states that ___________
A) A quotation is an offer and can be accepted by the government to form a
binding contract
B) A quotation is not an offer, and consequently, cannot be accepted by the
government to form a binding contract
C) A quotation must be submitted in writing to be considered valid
D) A quotation is automatically considered a binding offer if the government
issues a purchase order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FAR 13.004 establishes a fundamental principle of federal
procurement law that quotations are not offers. This distinction is critical
because it means the government cannot create a binding contract simply by
issuing a purchase order in response to a quotation. The legal significance
lies in the fact that the government's purchase order becomes the actual offer
which, when accepted by the contractor, forms the binding contract. The
contractor's quotation serves merely as a pricing reference or invitation to
treat. This protects both parties by ensuring that the formal contract terms
are clearly established in the government's offer document rather than relying
on potentially ambiguous quotation language. This principle is particularly
important in simplified acquisitions where speed is desired but legal
protections must still be maintained.
QUESTION 1.2
FAR 13.106-2(a)(2) tells us that the contracting officer shall evaluate
quotations or offers on the ___________
A) Lowest price technically acceptable basis
B) Most favorable terms to the government basis
C) Basis established in the solicitation
pg. 2
,D) Best value basis considering all factors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FAR 13.106-2(a)(2) establishes that evaluation must be conducted
according to the basis specified in the solicitation document. This is a
fundamental fairness requirement in federal procurement because it ensures
that all offerors are competing on a level playing field with clear
expectations of how their submissions will be judged. The solicitation must
contain all evaluation criteria, and the contracting officer must adhere
strictly to these published criteria. This prevents arbitrary or capricious
decision-making and provides a basis for protest if an offeror believes the
evaluation deviated from the stated criteria. While FAR Part 13 simplified
acquisition procedures allow more flexibility than formal sealed bidding,
the requirement to follow the solicitation's stated evaluation basis is
mandatory and non-waivable. This provision protects the integrity of the
procurement process and provides transparency to all participating offerors.
QUESTION 1.3
Under FAR Part 13, what is the micro-purchase threshold for most acquisitions?
A) $10,000
B) $15,000
C) $25,000
D) $50,000
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The micro-purchase threshold is currently set at $10,000 (subject
to periodic inflation adjustments) for most acquisitions. This threshold
determines the level at which simplified procedures are most streamlined.
Below this amount, contracting officers may make purchases without obtaining
competitive quotations, provided the price is determined to be fair and
reasonable. This allows for maximum efficiency for very small purchases.
The micro-purchase threshold is significant because it represents the level
at which formal competition requirements are relaxed, enabling rapid
procurement of low-value items. However, contracting officers must still
consider the use of required sources such as AbilityOne, Federal Prison
Industries, or mandatory government-wide contracts, and must distribute
pg. 3
, purchases equitably among small businesses to the maximum extent practicable.
QUESTION 1.4
Which of the following is a characteristic of simplified acquisition
procedures under FAR Part 13?
A) Requires formal sealed bidding
B) Requires full and open competition in all cases
C) Emphasizes maximum flexibility and minimum administrative burden
D) Mandates a formal source selection plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FAR Part 13 is specifically designed to simplify the acquisition
process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
currently $250,000. The procedures emphasize flexibility, reduced paperwork,
and streamlined processes. Unlike formal procurement methods, simplified
acquisition does not require sealed bidding, formal source selection plans,
or extensive documentation. However, contracting officers must still promote
competition to the maximum extent practicable. The flexibility allows for
use of government purchase cards, oral solicitations, and streamlined
evaluation procedures. This approach recognizes that the administrative
burden of formal procedures would often exceed the value of the procurement
itself for smaller purchases. The key is balancing efficiency with
compliance and ensuring fair opportunity for small businesses.
QUESTION 1.5
When using simplified acquisition procedures, the contracting officer must
promote competition to the maximum extent practicable. This means:
A) All solicitations must be posted on FedBizOpps
B) The contracting officer must obtain at least three quotes
C) The contracting officer should consider all reasonable sources and provide
an opportunity for competition
D) The acquisition must be set aside for small businesses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The requirement to promote competition "to the maximum extent
practicable" in simplified acquisitions does not impose rigid quotas or
pg. 4
This comprehensive examination guide contains all actual questions from the
CON 3990V Certification Exam for 2026. Each question includes the correct
answer and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying principles, regulatory
references, and practical applications. This document is organized by topic
area to facilitate systematic study and comprehension.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIT 1: FAR PART 13 - SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
UNIT 2: FAR PART 12 - ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
UNIT 3: CONTRACT TYPES AND PRICING ARRANGEMENTS
UNIT 4: CONTRACT FORMATION AND AWARD
UNIT 5: CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITY
UNIT 6: COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS
UNIT 7: PRICING AND COST DATA REQUIREMENTS
UNIT 8: CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS
UNIT 9: CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
UNIT 10: CONTRACT CLOSE-OUT
UNIT 11: UNIFORM CONTRACT FORMAT (UCF)
UNIT 12: AUTHORITY AND BINDING AGREEMENTS
UNIT 13: MARKET RESEARCH AND SOLICITATION PLANNING
UNIT 14: CONTRACT LIFE CYCLE
UNIT 15: SYNTHESIS AND INTEGRATED REVIEW
UNIT 16: ADVANCED SCENARIO-BASED QUESTIONS
UNIT 17: COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
UNIT 18: SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS
UNIT 19: INSPECTION, ACCEPTANCE, AND WARRANTIES
UNIT 20: DISPUTES AND REMEDIES
UNIT 21: ETHICS AND PROCUREMENT INTEGRITY
UNIT 22: SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS
UNIT 23: EMERGENCY AND URGENT ACQUISITIONS
UNIT 24: COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (CAS)
UNIT 25: FINAL COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
UNIT 26: ADVANCED PRICING ARRANGEMENTS
UNIT 27: CONTRACT PERFORMANCE AND MONITORING
UNIT 28: TERMINATION AND DEFAULT
UNIT 29: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND DATA RIGHTS
pg. 1
,UNIT 30: AGENCY-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS (DFARS, NFS, AIDAR)
UNIT 1: FAR PART 13 - SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
QUESTION 1.1
FAR 13.004 states that ___________
A) A quotation is an offer and can be accepted by the government to form a
binding contract
B) A quotation is not an offer, and consequently, cannot be accepted by the
government to form a binding contract
C) A quotation must be submitted in writing to be considered valid
D) A quotation is automatically considered a binding offer if the government
issues a purchase order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FAR 13.004 establishes a fundamental principle of federal
procurement law that quotations are not offers. This distinction is critical
because it means the government cannot create a binding contract simply by
issuing a purchase order in response to a quotation. The legal significance
lies in the fact that the government's purchase order becomes the actual offer
which, when accepted by the contractor, forms the binding contract. The
contractor's quotation serves merely as a pricing reference or invitation to
treat. This protects both parties by ensuring that the formal contract terms
are clearly established in the government's offer document rather than relying
on potentially ambiguous quotation language. This principle is particularly
important in simplified acquisitions where speed is desired but legal
protections must still be maintained.
QUESTION 1.2
FAR 13.106-2(a)(2) tells us that the contracting officer shall evaluate
quotations or offers on the ___________
A) Lowest price technically acceptable basis
B) Most favorable terms to the government basis
C) Basis established in the solicitation
pg. 2
,D) Best value basis considering all factors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FAR 13.106-2(a)(2) establishes that evaluation must be conducted
according to the basis specified in the solicitation document. This is a
fundamental fairness requirement in federal procurement because it ensures
that all offerors are competing on a level playing field with clear
expectations of how their submissions will be judged. The solicitation must
contain all evaluation criteria, and the contracting officer must adhere
strictly to these published criteria. This prevents arbitrary or capricious
decision-making and provides a basis for protest if an offeror believes the
evaluation deviated from the stated criteria. While FAR Part 13 simplified
acquisition procedures allow more flexibility than formal sealed bidding,
the requirement to follow the solicitation's stated evaluation basis is
mandatory and non-waivable. This provision protects the integrity of the
procurement process and provides transparency to all participating offerors.
QUESTION 1.3
Under FAR Part 13, what is the micro-purchase threshold for most acquisitions?
A) $10,000
B) $15,000
C) $25,000
D) $50,000
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The micro-purchase threshold is currently set at $10,000 (subject
to periodic inflation adjustments) for most acquisitions. This threshold
determines the level at which simplified procedures are most streamlined.
Below this amount, contracting officers may make purchases without obtaining
competitive quotations, provided the price is determined to be fair and
reasonable. This allows for maximum efficiency for very small purchases.
The micro-purchase threshold is significant because it represents the level
at which formal competition requirements are relaxed, enabling rapid
procurement of low-value items. However, contracting officers must still
consider the use of required sources such as AbilityOne, Federal Prison
Industries, or mandatory government-wide contracts, and must distribute
pg. 3
, purchases equitably among small businesses to the maximum extent practicable.
QUESTION 1.4
Which of the following is a characteristic of simplified acquisition
procedures under FAR Part 13?
A) Requires formal sealed bidding
B) Requires full and open competition in all cases
C) Emphasizes maximum flexibility and minimum administrative burden
D) Mandates a formal source selection plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FAR Part 13 is specifically designed to simplify the acquisition
process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT),
currently $250,000. The procedures emphasize flexibility, reduced paperwork,
and streamlined processes. Unlike formal procurement methods, simplified
acquisition does not require sealed bidding, formal source selection plans,
or extensive documentation. However, contracting officers must still promote
competition to the maximum extent practicable. The flexibility allows for
use of government purchase cards, oral solicitations, and streamlined
evaluation procedures. This approach recognizes that the administrative
burden of formal procedures would often exceed the value of the procurement
itself for smaller purchases. The key is balancing efficiency with
compliance and ensuring fair opportunity for small businesses.
QUESTION 1.5
When using simplified acquisition procedures, the contracting officer must
promote competition to the maximum extent practicable. This means:
A) All solicitations must be posted on FedBizOpps
B) The contracting officer must obtain at least three quotes
C) The contracting officer should consider all reasonable sources and provide
an opportunity for competition
D) The acquisition must be set aside for small businesses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The requirement to promote competition "to the maximum extent
practicable" in simplified acquisitions does not impose rigid quotas or
pg. 4
