CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC BUYER
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
●● A buyer has been invited to join a supplier account rep for lunch to
discuss the performance of a contract. How should the buyer respond to
the invitation? A. decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in
the office B. join the supplier for lunch, but pay for himself C. ask the
end user to join the supplier and the buyer for lunch anc count it as a
business meeting D. report the supplier to the supervisor
Answer: decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in the office
●● A buyer has been working on a solicitation for several days. Now the
end users have requested that the buyer mail the bid only to local
suppliers. How should the buyer respond to this request? Add language
to the bid that only local suppliers can submit proposals B. explain that
agency procedures require that all bids be electronically posted to allow
for open and fair competition C. explain that he can only put "Buy
America" language in bid specifications
Answer: explain that agency procedures require that all bids be
electronically posted to allow for open and fair competition
●● The ratio between inputs such as staff hours or salary and outputs is a
way of measuring what attribute? A. efficiency B. effectiveness C.
contributions D. progress
,Answer: efficiency
●● Legislation enacting a sustainable procurement initiative was passed
during this legislative session. The agency has a limited staff and
resources with which to implement the legislation. What type of
program would be most easily implemented? A. alternative fuel vehicles
B. energy efficient equipment C. recycled paper D. comprehensive
recycling program
Answer: recycled paper
●● At an entity hosted small business educational and outreach
workshop, the entity small business program coordinator noticed that
only a few suppliers are actively participating in asking questions and
discussion. In reaction, she works diligently to engage other suppliers
who are not contributing. What role is she assuming? A. encourager B.
observer C. information seeker D. gate keeper
Answer: gate keeper
●● The city's IT dept has a need to purchase 20 copies of a how-to-use
over-the-counter software book for various user departments within the
agency. The book is commonly available and it is estimated that the total
cost would be $900, which is below the established bid threshold. The
buyer has confirmed that the book is not currently on any agency
contracts. Which type of purchase is considered most economical in this
case? A. emergency B. sole source C. pcard D. invitation for bids
Answer: pcard
,●● A buyer wishes to enter into a cooperative purchase with a regional
alliance that could save a great deal of money. What is the buyer's first
step? A. Determine if there is legal authority to do this B. Determine if
the cost is advantageous C. Determine if local suppliers are impacted D.
Determine if your terms and conditions are in compliance
Answer: determine if there is legal authority to do this
●● While on vacation the Chief Procurement Officer left a Procurement
Manager in charge of operations via an interoffice memo. The
Procurement Manager was faced with an emergency purchase that
needed signature for $50K. What gives him the authority to sign for this
emergency purchase? A. apparent authority B. express authority C. the
Procurement Manager has authority to sign because it is an emergency
purchase D. implied authority
Answer: express authority
●● An agency with a local small business preference program is
accepting bids for a roofing project. Only Company C is in the local
jurisdiction. Businesses located outside the local jurisdiction will have
5% of the bid amount added to their total bid amount. Company A bids
$49,300. Company B bids $49,150. Company C bids $51,650. Company
D bids $51,640. Which company should receive the award based on total
low bid?
Answer: B $49,150
, ●● When all mandatory requirements of a bid are met, what is the value
of competitive quotes and competitive sealed bids? A. drives a decision
based on price B. provides evaluation guidelines on which to base the
award C. provides a reliable indicator of a robust supplier market D. it
has no value
Answer: drives a decision based on price
●● What is the purpose of a cost analysis? A. compares each price
quoted the entity as a result of the bid process B. an attempt to protect
reasonable cost in a cost benefit analysis C. helps determine the
supplier's costs actually incurred for the nonstandard items D. helps
determine functional requirements at the lowest possible cost without
impacting need and suitability
Answer: helps determine the supplier's costs actually incurred for the
nonstandard items
●● The Sherriff's Dept is planning on acquiring a scanner to be used on
work release inmates entering and leaving the jail. The scanner will have
a lifespan of 10 years. The price for the scanner is $11,000. Maintenance
must be performed on this machine monthly to ensure accuracy.
Monthly maintenance will be $150. What is the life cycle cost for this
entire purchase? A. $11,000 B. $29,000 C. $18,000 D. $36,000
Answer: $29,000
●● Dept of Water Resources is preparing a bid document for a new and
complex composite water meter. What action should the buyer take to
better ensure responsive bids? A. use brand name or equivalent
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
●● A buyer has been invited to join a supplier account rep for lunch to
discuss the performance of a contract. How should the buyer respond to
the invitation? A. decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in
the office B. join the supplier for lunch, but pay for himself C. ask the
end user to join the supplier and the buyer for lunch anc count it as a
business meeting D. report the supplier to the supervisor
Answer: decline the supplier's offer and suggest a meeting in the office
●● A buyer has been working on a solicitation for several days. Now the
end users have requested that the buyer mail the bid only to local
suppliers. How should the buyer respond to this request? Add language
to the bid that only local suppliers can submit proposals B. explain that
agency procedures require that all bids be electronically posted to allow
for open and fair competition C. explain that he can only put "Buy
America" language in bid specifications
Answer: explain that agency procedures require that all bids be
electronically posted to allow for open and fair competition
●● The ratio between inputs such as staff hours or salary and outputs is a
way of measuring what attribute? A. efficiency B. effectiveness C.
contributions D. progress
,Answer: efficiency
●● Legislation enacting a sustainable procurement initiative was passed
during this legislative session. The agency has a limited staff and
resources with which to implement the legislation. What type of
program would be most easily implemented? A. alternative fuel vehicles
B. energy efficient equipment C. recycled paper D. comprehensive
recycling program
Answer: recycled paper
●● At an entity hosted small business educational and outreach
workshop, the entity small business program coordinator noticed that
only a few suppliers are actively participating in asking questions and
discussion. In reaction, she works diligently to engage other suppliers
who are not contributing. What role is she assuming? A. encourager B.
observer C. information seeker D. gate keeper
Answer: gate keeper
●● The city's IT dept has a need to purchase 20 copies of a how-to-use
over-the-counter software book for various user departments within the
agency. The book is commonly available and it is estimated that the total
cost would be $900, which is below the established bid threshold. The
buyer has confirmed that the book is not currently on any agency
contracts. Which type of purchase is considered most economical in this
case? A. emergency B. sole source C. pcard D. invitation for bids
Answer: pcard
,●● A buyer wishes to enter into a cooperative purchase with a regional
alliance that could save a great deal of money. What is the buyer's first
step? A. Determine if there is legal authority to do this B. Determine if
the cost is advantageous C. Determine if local suppliers are impacted D.
Determine if your terms and conditions are in compliance
Answer: determine if there is legal authority to do this
●● While on vacation the Chief Procurement Officer left a Procurement
Manager in charge of operations via an interoffice memo. The
Procurement Manager was faced with an emergency purchase that
needed signature for $50K. What gives him the authority to sign for this
emergency purchase? A. apparent authority B. express authority C. the
Procurement Manager has authority to sign because it is an emergency
purchase D. implied authority
Answer: express authority
●● An agency with a local small business preference program is
accepting bids for a roofing project. Only Company C is in the local
jurisdiction. Businesses located outside the local jurisdiction will have
5% of the bid amount added to their total bid amount. Company A bids
$49,300. Company B bids $49,150. Company C bids $51,650. Company
D bids $51,640. Which company should receive the award based on total
low bid?
Answer: B $49,150
, ●● When all mandatory requirements of a bid are met, what is the value
of competitive quotes and competitive sealed bids? A. drives a decision
based on price B. provides evaluation guidelines on which to base the
award C. provides a reliable indicator of a robust supplier market D. it
has no value
Answer: drives a decision based on price
●● What is the purpose of a cost analysis? A. compares each price
quoted the entity as a result of the bid process B. an attempt to protect
reasonable cost in a cost benefit analysis C. helps determine the
supplier's costs actually incurred for the nonstandard items D. helps
determine functional requirements at the lowest possible cost without
impacting need and suitability
Answer: helps determine the supplier's costs actually incurred for the
nonstandard items
●● The Sherriff's Dept is planning on acquiring a scanner to be used on
work release inmates entering and leaving the jail. The scanner will have
a lifespan of 10 years. The price for the scanner is $11,000. Maintenance
must be performed on this machine monthly to ensure accuracy.
Monthly maintenance will be $150. What is the life cycle cost for this
entire purchase? A. $11,000 B. $29,000 C. $18,000 D. $36,000
Answer: $29,000
●● Dept of Water Resources is preparing a bid document for a new and
complex composite water meter. What action should the buyer take to
better ensure responsive bids? A. use brand name or equivalent
