DAU CON 3990V Contracting Certification Exam | Complete
Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)?
• A. To provide uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all
executive agencies.
• B. To dictate the profit margins for defense contractors.
• C. To replace the need for professional judgment by Contracting
Officers.
• D. To provide a list of approved vendors for every product.
Correct Answer: A. To provide uniform policies and procedures for
acquisition by all executive agencies.
Detailed Rationale: The FAR is the primary regulation for use by all
Federal Executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services.
Question 2
When must market research be conducted?
• A. Only for contracts exceeding the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold (SAT).
• B. Only when the Contracting Officer decides to use a sole-source
contract.
, • C. Before developing new requirements and before soliciting
offers.
• D. Only after receiving proposals.
Correct Answer: C. Before developing new requirements and before
soliciting offers.
Detailed Rationale: Market research is required to ensure the
government understands what is available in the commercial
marketplace before finalizing requirements.
Question 3
Which of the following is considered "Simplified Acquisition
Procedures" (SAP)?
• A. Methods prescribed in FAR Part 15 for competitive negotiation.
• B. Methods prescribed in FAR Part 13 for acquiring
supplies/services up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
• C. Methods for awarding multi-billion dollar aircraft contracts.
• D. A process that bypasses all competition requirements.
Correct Answer: B. Methods prescribed in FAR Part 13 for acquiring
supplies/services up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
Detailed Rationale: SAP (FAR Part 13) is designed to reduce
administrative costs and promote efficiency for smaller dollar
procurements.
Question 4
What is the "Rule of Two" in the context of Small Business contracting?
, • A. You must always solicit two vendors.
• B. You must set aside an acquisition for small business if you have
a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least
two responsible small business concerns.
• C. You must always invite two large businesses to compete.
• D. You must have two contracting officers sign the document.
Correct Answer: B. You must set aside an acquisition for small business
if you have a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at
least two responsible small business concerns.
Detailed Rationale: This is a cornerstone of the FAR Part 19 small
business set-aside policy.
Question 5
Which contract type places the most cost risk on the government?
• A. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)
• B. Fixed-Price Incentive
• C. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
• D. Time and Materials
Correct Answer: C. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
Detailed Rationale: In cost-reimbursement contracts, the government
reimburses allowable costs, meaning the government bears the risk of
cost overruns.
Question 6
, What is the primary purpose of a Contracting Officer’s Representative
(COR)?
• A. To handle contract legal disputes.
• B. To perform technical oversight and monitor contractor
performance.
• C. To issue modifications and change contract pricing.
• D. To replace the Contracting Officer entirely.
Correct Answer: B. To perform technical oversight and monitor
contractor performance.
Detailed Rationale: The COR provides the "eyes and ears" for the KO,
ensuring the technical requirements are met, but they lack the
authority to change the contract terms.
Question 7
Under FAR Part 15, what is a "Competitive Range" determination?
• A. A list of all vendors in the database.
• B. The identification of the most highly rated proposals, which will
be included in further discussions.
• C. The geographical location of the competition.
• D. The minimum number of pages a proposal must have.
Correct Answer: B. The identification of the most highly rated
proposals, which will be included in further discussions.
Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)?
• A. To provide uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all
executive agencies.
• B. To dictate the profit margins for defense contractors.
• C. To replace the need for professional judgment by Contracting
Officers.
• D. To provide a list of approved vendors for every product.
Correct Answer: A. To provide uniform policies and procedures for
acquisition by all executive agencies.
Detailed Rationale: The FAR is the primary regulation for use by all
Federal Executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services.
Question 2
When must market research be conducted?
• A. Only for contracts exceeding the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold (SAT).
• B. Only when the Contracting Officer decides to use a sole-source
contract.
, • C. Before developing new requirements and before soliciting
offers.
• D. Only after receiving proposals.
Correct Answer: C. Before developing new requirements and before
soliciting offers.
Detailed Rationale: Market research is required to ensure the
government understands what is available in the commercial
marketplace before finalizing requirements.
Question 3
Which of the following is considered "Simplified Acquisition
Procedures" (SAP)?
• A. Methods prescribed in FAR Part 15 for competitive negotiation.
• B. Methods prescribed in FAR Part 13 for acquiring
supplies/services up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
• C. Methods for awarding multi-billion dollar aircraft contracts.
• D. A process that bypasses all competition requirements.
Correct Answer: B. Methods prescribed in FAR Part 13 for acquiring
supplies/services up to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
Detailed Rationale: SAP (FAR Part 13) is designed to reduce
administrative costs and promote efficiency for smaller dollar
procurements.
Question 4
What is the "Rule of Two" in the context of Small Business contracting?
, • A. You must always solicit two vendors.
• B. You must set aside an acquisition for small business if you have
a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least
two responsible small business concerns.
• C. You must always invite two large businesses to compete.
• D. You must have two contracting officers sign the document.
Correct Answer: B. You must set aside an acquisition for small business
if you have a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at
least two responsible small business concerns.
Detailed Rationale: This is a cornerstone of the FAR Part 19 small
business set-aside policy.
Question 5
Which contract type places the most cost risk on the government?
• A. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)
• B. Fixed-Price Incentive
• C. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
• D. Time and Materials
Correct Answer: C. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
Detailed Rationale: In cost-reimbursement contracts, the government
reimburses allowable costs, meaning the government bears the risk of
cost overruns.
Question 6
, What is the primary purpose of a Contracting Officer’s Representative
(COR)?
• A. To handle contract legal disputes.
• B. To perform technical oversight and monitor contractor
performance.
• C. To issue modifications and change contract pricing.
• D. To replace the Contracting Officer entirely.
Correct Answer: B. To perform technical oversight and monitor
contractor performance.
Detailed Rationale: The COR provides the "eyes and ears" for the KO,
ensuring the technical requirements are met, but they lack the
authority to change the contract terms.
Question 7
Under FAR Part 15, what is a "Competitive Range" determination?
• A. A list of all vendors in the database.
• B. The identification of the most highly rated proposals, which will
be included in further discussions.
• C. The geographical location of the competition.
• D. The minimum number of pages a proposal must have.
Correct Answer: B. The identification of the most highly rated
proposals, which will be included in further discussions.
