CORB CORE EXAM SET 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Requirements & Planning: Identify needs, define SOW/PWS, conduct market
research, choose contract type, and secure funding.
Solicitation: Prepare and release RFP/IFB/RFQ, answer questions, and set evaluation
criteria.
Source Selection: Evaluate proposals, conduct negotiations if necessary, and determine
the best-value contractor.
Award: Execute the contract with the selected contractor, finalizing all terms and
conditions.
Contract Administration: Monitor performance (QASP), manage modifications, process
payments, and address issues.
Performance Oversight: Resolve disputes, issue cure or show-cause notices if
necessary.
Closeout: Confirm all deliverables, make final payments, complete documentation, and
capture lessons learned. - ✔✔Please explain the contracting process in detail, from
cradle to grave.
✔✔The KO is the only person who can bind the Government. Must be fair, ethical, and
impartial. They consider both the Government's and Industry's sides and protect
taxpayer dollars while ensuring fair treatment of contractors. - ✔✔As Contracting
Officer, you have a unique role when it comes to representing the United States of
America. Please take a minute or two to describe this unique role, paying particular
attention to your allegiance to the US Government versus the contractor in decisions
regarding tax-payer dollars.
✔✔Statutes (Laws) are mandatory at any cost. Regulations (FAR) are the rules of the
road. Policies provide internal agency direction. Guidance is advisory. The KO must
prioritize Law and Regulation over all else. - ✔✔As Contracting Officer, how do you
view guidance versus policies versus regulations versus laws or statutes?
✔✔The KO has the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make
related determinations and findings. Responsibility: Ensure all requirements of
law/regulation are met, funds are available, and the contractor is treated fairly. -
✔✔What is a Contracting Officer? What is the authority given to a Contracting Officer?
What are the responsibilities of a Contracting Officer?
, ✔✔A Cure Notice is a written notice to a contractor stating they are failing to perform
and giving them 10 days to "cure" the defect. It is only used when 10+ days remain in
the performance period; otherwise, use a Show Cause notice. - ✔✔Describe a Cure
Notice and when you would use one as a KO.
✔✔Determination and Findings: A special form of written approval by an authorized
official required by statute/regulation. The Determination is the conclusion; the Findings
are the facts and rationale supporting that conclusion. - ✔✔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?
✔✔Existing contracts/subcontracts may continue unless the agency head directs
otherwise. However, ordering activities shall NOT place new orders (beyond
minimums), use BPAs/BOAs, or exercise options/extend work without a written
determination of compelling reasons. - ✔✔If a contractor is included on the List of
Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs, what are
the rules on continuation of current contracts with the contractor?
✔✔Notify Legal and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately. Mentor
customers by teaching them to recognize "red flags" and ensuring they understand that
only the KO can authorize changes to prevent appearance of impropriety. - ✔✔What
should you do if you have any suspicion of any ethics violation or fraud? How do you
mentor and train your customer on ethics and fraud concerns?
✔✔Per FAR 15.306, if only one offer is received, the KO must ensure the requirement
wasn't too restrictive, perform a cost/price analysis, and potentially re-solicit or negotiate
to ensure the price is fair and reasonable. - ✔✔What do you do if you receive only one
offer?
✔✔Something beyond the reasonable control of the contractor, and without its fault or
negligence (Acts of God, public enemy, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine, strikes,
unusually severe weather, and common carrier delays). - ✔✔Define an Excusable
Delay.
✔✔Funds must be used only for goods/services for which a need arises during the
period of that appropriation's availability. You cannot use this year's money for next
year's requirement (e.g., O&M). - ✔✔Explain the "Bona Fide Needs" rule.
✔✔ADA: Prohibits obligating or spending funds that haven't been appropriated or
exceed available amounts. Violations: Spending in excess/advance of funds, improper
augmentation. Penalties: Administrative (suspension/removal) or Criminal (up to 2 years
prison/$5,000 fine). - ✔✔Describe the Anti-deficiency Act (ADA) and list some actions
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Requirements & Planning: Identify needs, define SOW/PWS, conduct market
research, choose contract type, and secure funding.
Solicitation: Prepare and release RFP/IFB/RFQ, answer questions, and set evaluation
criteria.
Source Selection: Evaluate proposals, conduct negotiations if necessary, and determine
the best-value contractor.
Award: Execute the contract with the selected contractor, finalizing all terms and
conditions.
Contract Administration: Monitor performance (QASP), manage modifications, process
payments, and address issues.
Performance Oversight: Resolve disputes, issue cure or show-cause notices if
necessary.
Closeout: Confirm all deliverables, make final payments, complete documentation, and
capture lessons learned. - ✔✔Please explain the contracting process in detail, from
cradle to grave.
✔✔The KO is the only person who can bind the Government. Must be fair, ethical, and
impartial. They consider both the Government's and Industry's sides and protect
taxpayer dollars while ensuring fair treatment of contractors. - ✔✔As Contracting
Officer, you have a unique role when it comes to representing the United States of
America. Please take a minute or two to describe this unique role, paying particular
attention to your allegiance to the US Government versus the contractor in decisions
regarding tax-payer dollars.
✔✔Statutes (Laws) are mandatory at any cost. Regulations (FAR) are the rules of the
road. Policies provide internal agency direction. Guidance is advisory. The KO must
prioritize Law and Regulation over all else. - ✔✔As Contracting Officer, how do you
view guidance versus policies versus regulations versus laws or statutes?
✔✔The KO has the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make
related determinations and findings. Responsibility: Ensure all requirements of
law/regulation are met, funds are available, and the contractor is treated fairly. -
✔✔What is a Contracting Officer? What is the authority given to a Contracting Officer?
What are the responsibilities of a Contracting Officer?
, ✔✔A Cure Notice is a written notice to a contractor stating they are failing to perform
and giving them 10 days to "cure" the defect. It is only used when 10+ days remain in
the performance period; otherwise, use a Show Cause notice. - ✔✔Describe a Cure
Notice and when you would use one as a KO.
✔✔Determination and Findings: A special form of written approval by an authorized
official required by statute/regulation. The Determination is the conclusion; the Findings
are the facts and rationale supporting that conclusion. - ✔✔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?
✔✔Existing contracts/subcontracts may continue unless the agency head directs
otherwise. However, ordering activities shall NOT place new orders (beyond
minimums), use BPAs/BOAs, or exercise options/extend work without a written
determination of compelling reasons. - ✔✔If a contractor is included on the List of
Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs, what are
the rules on continuation of current contracts with the contractor?
✔✔Notify Legal and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) immediately. Mentor
customers by teaching them to recognize "red flags" and ensuring they understand that
only the KO can authorize changes to prevent appearance of impropriety. - ✔✔What
should you do if you have any suspicion of any ethics violation or fraud? How do you
mentor and train your customer on ethics and fraud concerns?
✔✔Per FAR 15.306, if only one offer is received, the KO must ensure the requirement
wasn't too restrictive, perform a cost/price analysis, and potentially re-solicit or negotiate
to ensure the price is fair and reasonable. - ✔✔What do you do if you receive only one
offer?
✔✔Something beyond the reasonable control of the contractor, and without its fault or
negligence (Acts of God, public enemy, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine, strikes,
unusually severe weather, and common carrier delays). - ✔✔Define an Excusable
Delay.
✔✔Funds must be used only for goods/services for which a need arises during the
period of that appropriation's availability. You cannot use this year's money for next
year's requirement (e.g., O&M). - ✔✔Explain the "Bona Fide Needs" rule.
✔✔ADA: Prohibits obligating or spending funds that haven't been appropriated or
exceed available amounts. Violations: Spending in excess/advance of funds, improper
augmentation. Penalties: Administrative (suspension/removal) or Criminal (up to 2 years
prison/$5,000 fine). - ✔✔Describe the Anti-deficiency Act (ADA) and list some actions
