FAC-C Professional Exam Prep | Comprehensive
Study Guide with Complete Exam Questions and
Detailed Answers | Latest Edition- Updated 2026
Question 1
Market research is conducted during which phase of the acquisition?
Answer: All phases. ✔✔
Rationale: Market research is a continuous process that should be conducted
throughout all phases of acquisition—from planning through post-award—to identify
capabilities, gather information, and make informed decisions.
Question 2
With respect to the requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other
applicable procedures, prior to signing a contract, what must a contracting officer do?
Answer: Ensure that each has been met. ✔✔
Rationale: The contracting officer has a fiduciary duty to ensure all legal and
regulatory requirements are satisfied before executing a contract, as failure to do so
could result in an unauthorized or invalid agreement.
Question 3
How many FAR parts are there?
Answer: 53. ✔✔
Rationale: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is divided into 53 parts, each
covering a specific aspect of the acquisition process, from general policies (Part 1) to
termination of contracts (Part 49) and beyond.
Question 4
The DoD Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID) is 13 positions long. Position 9
identifies the type of instrument. If position 9 is a "D", which of the following types of
instruments is representative?
Answer: Indefinite-delivery contracts to include IDIQs and requirements contracts.
✔✔
pg. 1
,Rationale: In the DoD PIID structure, position 9 indicates the type of procurement
instrument. A "D" identifies indefinite-delivery contracts, including Indefinite-Delivery,
Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and requirements contracts.
Question 5
Which FAR part sets forth the basic policies and general information about the Federal
Acquisition Regulations System?
Answer: FAR Part 1. ✔✔
Rationale: FAR Part 1 establishes the basic policies, definitions, and general
information about the Federal Acquisition Regulations System, serving as the
foundation for all other FAR parts.
Question 6
A contractor failed to deliver a commercial item within the time specified by the
contract. As the government contracting officer, you plan to terminate the contract.
What type of termination would you proceed with?
Answer: Termination for Cause. ✔✔
Rationale: When a contractor fails to perform according to contract terms, the
government may terminate for cause (default). This is appropriate when the contractor's
failure is due to reasons within their control.
Question 7
Which of the following statements best conveys the convention at FAR 1.108(b),
delegation of authority?
Answer: Each authority is delegable unless specifically stated otherwise. ✔✔
Rationale: FAR 1.108(b) establishes the default rule that any authority granted is
delegable unless expressly prohibited, allowing efficient distribution of responsibilities.
Question 8
What is a Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID)?
Answer: A unique number identifying each solicitation, contract, agreement, or order
and related procurement instrument. ✔✔
Rationale: The PIID is a unique identifier assigned to each procurement action,
enabling tracking, reporting, and management throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
pg. 2
,Question 9
A program manager asked John whether a contract clause is only used in the contract or
if it applies to the solicitation as well. John correctly answered by replying with what
statement?
Answer: A contract clause is a term or condition used in contracts, or in both
solicitations and contracts, that applies after contract award or both before and after
award. ✔✔
Rationale: Contract clauses can be included in both solicitations and contracts, and
they may apply either before award (solicitation provisions), after award (contract
clauses), or both.
Question 10
How does the DFARS Procedures Guidance and Information (PGI) relate to the DFARS?
Answer: The DFARS PGI is a companion resource to the DFARS. ✔✔
Rationale: The PGI provides internal guidance and procedures for implementing the
DFARS, helping contracting officers apply the regulations correctly.
Question 11
Except when authorized otherwise, what is true about a government contract?
Answer: Must be in writing. ✔✔
Rationale: Government contracts generally must be in writing to ensure clarity,
accountability, and compliance with statutory requirements.
Question 12
What should Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) do?
Answer: Promote competition to the maximum extent practicable. ✔✔
Rationale: Even under simplified acquisition procedures, the government should
promote competition to achieve the best value.
Question 13
What type(s) of contracts can be awarded when acquiring commercial items of supply?
pg. 3
, Answer: Only firm-fixed-price contracts or fixed-price contracts with economic price
adjustment. ✔✔
Rationale: FAR Part 12 limits commercial item acquisitions to fixed-price type
contracts due to their suitability for commercial markets.
Question 14
What is the use of a procedure that is inconsistent with the FAR?
Answer: Deviation. ✔✔
Rationale: A deviation is an authorized departure from FAR requirements, requiring
approval at a specified level depending on the nature of the deviation.
Question 15
What is the tool (form) used by DoD to apply a structured profit/fee?
Answer: DD Form 1547, Weighted Guidelines Method. ✔✔
Rationale: DD Form 1547 documents the profit/fee analysis using the Weighted
Guidelines Method for negotiated contracts.
Question 16
When using invitations for bids (IFBs), what type(s) of contracts can be awarded?
Answer: Only firm-fixed-price contracts or fixed-price contracts with economic price
adjustment. ✔✔
Rationale: Sealed bidding (IFB) is limited to fixed-price contracts where the terms can
be clearly defined.
Question 17
Who is authorized by the government to execute contract modifications on behalf of the
government?
Answer: The CO (Contracting Officer). ✔✔
Rationale: Only the Contracting Officer has delegated authority to modify contracts;
this authority cannot be delegated to others.
pg. 4
Study Guide with Complete Exam Questions and
Detailed Answers | Latest Edition- Updated 2026
Question 1
Market research is conducted during which phase of the acquisition?
Answer: All phases. ✔✔
Rationale: Market research is a continuous process that should be conducted
throughout all phases of acquisition—from planning through post-award—to identify
capabilities, gather information, and make informed decisions.
Question 2
With respect to the requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other
applicable procedures, prior to signing a contract, what must a contracting officer do?
Answer: Ensure that each has been met. ✔✔
Rationale: The contracting officer has a fiduciary duty to ensure all legal and
regulatory requirements are satisfied before executing a contract, as failure to do so
could result in an unauthorized or invalid agreement.
Question 3
How many FAR parts are there?
Answer: 53. ✔✔
Rationale: The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is divided into 53 parts, each
covering a specific aspect of the acquisition process, from general policies (Part 1) to
termination of contracts (Part 49) and beyond.
Question 4
The DoD Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID) is 13 positions long. Position 9
identifies the type of instrument. If position 9 is a "D", which of the following types of
instruments is representative?
Answer: Indefinite-delivery contracts to include IDIQs and requirements contracts.
✔✔
pg. 1
,Rationale: In the DoD PIID structure, position 9 indicates the type of procurement
instrument. A "D" identifies indefinite-delivery contracts, including Indefinite-Delivery,
Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and requirements contracts.
Question 5
Which FAR part sets forth the basic policies and general information about the Federal
Acquisition Regulations System?
Answer: FAR Part 1. ✔✔
Rationale: FAR Part 1 establishes the basic policies, definitions, and general
information about the Federal Acquisition Regulations System, serving as the
foundation for all other FAR parts.
Question 6
A contractor failed to deliver a commercial item within the time specified by the
contract. As the government contracting officer, you plan to terminate the contract.
What type of termination would you proceed with?
Answer: Termination for Cause. ✔✔
Rationale: When a contractor fails to perform according to contract terms, the
government may terminate for cause (default). This is appropriate when the contractor's
failure is due to reasons within their control.
Question 7
Which of the following statements best conveys the convention at FAR 1.108(b),
delegation of authority?
Answer: Each authority is delegable unless specifically stated otherwise. ✔✔
Rationale: FAR 1.108(b) establishes the default rule that any authority granted is
delegable unless expressly prohibited, allowing efficient distribution of responsibilities.
Question 8
What is a Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID)?
Answer: A unique number identifying each solicitation, contract, agreement, or order
and related procurement instrument. ✔✔
Rationale: The PIID is a unique identifier assigned to each procurement action,
enabling tracking, reporting, and management throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
pg. 2
,Question 9
A program manager asked John whether a contract clause is only used in the contract or
if it applies to the solicitation as well. John correctly answered by replying with what
statement?
Answer: A contract clause is a term or condition used in contracts, or in both
solicitations and contracts, that applies after contract award or both before and after
award. ✔✔
Rationale: Contract clauses can be included in both solicitations and contracts, and
they may apply either before award (solicitation provisions), after award (contract
clauses), or both.
Question 10
How does the DFARS Procedures Guidance and Information (PGI) relate to the DFARS?
Answer: The DFARS PGI is a companion resource to the DFARS. ✔✔
Rationale: The PGI provides internal guidance and procedures for implementing the
DFARS, helping contracting officers apply the regulations correctly.
Question 11
Except when authorized otherwise, what is true about a government contract?
Answer: Must be in writing. ✔✔
Rationale: Government contracts generally must be in writing to ensure clarity,
accountability, and compliance with statutory requirements.
Question 12
What should Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) do?
Answer: Promote competition to the maximum extent practicable. ✔✔
Rationale: Even under simplified acquisition procedures, the government should
promote competition to achieve the best value.
Question 13
What type(s) of contracts can be awarded when acquiring commercial items of supply?
pg. 3
, Answer: Only firm-fixed-price contracts or fixed-price contracts with economic price
adjustment. ✔✔
Rationale: FAR Part 12 limits commercial item acquisitions to fixed-price type
contracts due to their suitability for commercial markets.
Question 14
What is the use of a procedure that is inconsistent with the FAR?
Answer: Deviation. ✔✔
Rationale: A deviation is an authorized departure from FAR requirements, requiring
approval at a specified level depending on the nature of the deviation.
Question 15
What is the tool (form) used by DoD to apply a structured profit/fee?
Answer: DD Form 1547, Weighted Guidelines Method. ✔✔
Rationale: DD Form 1547 documents the profit/fee analysis using the Weighted
Guidelines Method for negotiated contracts.
Question 16
When using invitations for bids (IFBs), what type(s) of contracts can be awarded?
Answer: Only firm-fixed-price contracts or fixed-price contracts with economic price
adjustment. ✔✔
Rationale: Sealed bidding (IFB) is limited to fixed-price contracts where the terms can
be clearly defined.
Question 17
Who is authorized by the government to execute contract modifications on behalf of the
government?
Answer: The CO (Contracting Officer). ✔✔
Rationale: Only the Contracting Officer has delegated authority to modify contracts;
this authority cannot be delegated to others.
pg. 4
