Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting FAC-C Exam |
Complete Practice Test, Answers & Detailed Rationales
2026/2027
Question 1
What is the overarching vision and guiding principle of the Federal
Acquisition System as stated in FAR 1.102?
• A. To maximize government revenue through vendor penalties
and fees
• B. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to
the customer while maintaining public trust and fulfilling public
policy objectives
• C. To eliminate all competition in favor of sole-source awards for
speed
• D. To minimize the administrative duties of Contracting Officers by
delegating signing authority to private contractors
Correct Answer: B. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product
or service to the customer while maintaining public trust and fulfilling
public policy objectives
Detailed Rationale: FAR 1.102 establishes the foundational mission of
the entire federal acquisition workforce, emphasizing best value
delivery, timeliness, integrity, and public policy compliance.
Question 2
,Who is legally authorized to bind the United States government by
entering into, modifying, or terminating contracts?
• A. The requiring activity program manager
• B. The Contracting Officer (CO) acting within the scope of their
appointed warrant
• C. The head of the user department
• D. Any senior civilian employee in the agency
Correct Answer: B. The Contracting Officer (CO) acting within the scope
of their appointed warrant
Detailed Rationale: A Contracting Officer possesses binding authority
solely through a formal Certificate of Appointment (warrant) that
defines their monetary and functional limits.
Question 3
What is the standard rule regarding the acceptance of gifts from
contractors by federal employees under FAR Part 3 and ethics
regulations?
• A. Gifts under $100 are always permitted.
• B. Gifts are generally prohibited, regardless of value, to avoid
conflicts of interest or the appearance of influence.
• C. Gifts are permitted if the contractor is not currently working on
a contract with that specific employee.
• D. Gifts are allowed if shared among the entire office staff.
Correct Answer: B. Gifts are generally prohibited, regardless of value, to
avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of influence.
,Detailed Rationale: Federal standards of conduct prohibit employees
from accepting gifts from prohibited sources (such as contractors
seeking business) to maintain absolute integrity and public trust.
Question 4
What does the Procurement Integrity Act (FAR 3.104) prohibit during
the conduct of a federal procurement?
• A. Discussing contract requirements with internal agency technical
experts
• B. The unauthorized disclosure or receipt of proprietary proposal
information or source selection information
• C. Conducting market research on commercial vendors
• D. Publishing notices of proposed contract actions on SAM.gov
Correct Answer: B. The unauthorized disclosure or receipt of
proprietary proposal information or source selection information
Detailed Rationale: The Procurement Integrity Act protects the fairness
of the bidding process by imposing strict penalties on individuals who
improperly share or obtain source selection data.
Question 5
How must an agency address an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)
under FAR Subpart 9.5?
• A. Identify, evaluate, and mitigate, neutralize, or avoid the OCI
prior to contract award
• B. Ignore it if the contractor promises to remain objective
, • C. Double the contractor's profit margin to compensate for the
conflict
• D. Transfer the OCI review to a private auditing firm
Correct Answer: A. Identify, evaluate, and mitigate, neutralize, or avoid
the OCI prior to contract award
Detailed Rationale: OCIs arise when a contractor's other activities or
relationships impair their impartiality or create an unfair competitive
advantage, requiring active government mitigation.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of publicizing proposed contract actions
on SAM.gov under FAR Part 5?
• A. To increase government printing costs
• B. To provide equal opportunity for contractors, enhance
competition, and broaden industry awareness
• C. To allow the public to vote on winning contractors
• D. To comply with local municipal zoning laws
Correct Answer: B. To provide equal opportunity for contractors,
enhance competition, and broaden industry awareness
Detailed Rationale: Public notification on SAM.gov ensures
transparency and gives all responsible business sources a fair
opportunity to compete for federal requirements.
Question 7
What statutory act mandates that federal agencies promote and
provide for full and open competition in their procurement processes?
Complete Practice Test, Answers & Detailed Rationales
2026/2027
Question 1
What is the overarching vision and guiding principle of the Federal
Acquisition System as stated in FAR 1.102?
• A. To maximize government revenue through vendor penalties
and fees
• B. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to
the customer while maintaining public trust and fulfilling public
policy objectives
• C. To eliminate all competition in favor of sole-source awards for
speed
• D. To minimize the administrative duties of Contracting Officers by
delegating signing authority to private contractors
Correct Answer: B. To deliver on a timely basis the best value product
or service to the customer while maintaining public trust and fulfilling
public policy objectives
Detailed Rationale: FAR 1.102 establishes the foundational mission of
the entire federal acquisition workforce, emphasizing best value
delivery, timeliness, integrity, and public policy compliance.
Question 2
,Who is legally authorized to bind the United States government by
entering into, modifying, or terminating contracts?
• A. The requiring activity program manager
• B. The Contracting Officer (CO) acting within the scope of their
appointed warrant
• C. The head of the user department
• D. Any senior civilian employee in the agency
Correct Answer: B. The Contracting Officer (CO) acting within the scope
of their appointed warrant
Detailed Rationale: A Contracting Officer possesses binding authority
solely through a formal Certificate of Appointment (warrant) that
defines their monetary and functional limits.
Question 3
What is the standard rule regarding the acceptance of gifts from
contractors by federal employees under FAR Part 3 and ethics
regulations?
• A. Gifts under $100 are always permitted.
• B. Gifts are generally prohibited, regardless of value, to avoid
conflicts of interest or the appearance of influence.
• C. Gifts are permitted if the contractor is not currently working on
a contract with that specific employee.
• D. Gifts are allowed if shared among the entire office staff.
Correct Answer: B. Gifts are generally prohibited, regardless of value, to
avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of influence.
,Detailed Rationale: Federal standards of conduct prohibit employees
from accepting gifts from prohibited sources (such as contractors
seeking business) to maintain absolute integrity and public trust.
Question 4
What does the Procurement Integrity Act (FAR 3.104) prohibit during
the conduct of a federal procurement?
• A. Discussing contract requirements with internal agency technical
experts
• B. The unauthorized disclosure or receipt of proprietary proposal
information or source selection information
• C. Conducting market research on commercial vendors
• D. Publishing notices of proposed contract actions on SAM.gov
Correct Answer: B. The unauthorized disclosure or receipt of
proprietary proposal information or source selection information
Detailed Rationale: The Procurement Integrity Act protects the fairness
of the bidding process by imposing strict penalties on individuals who
improperly share or obtain source selection data.
Question 5
How must an agency address an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)
under FAR Subpart 9.5?
• A. Identify, evaluate, and mitigate, neutralize, or avoid the OCI
prior to contract award
• B. Ignore it if the contractor promises to remain objective
, • C. Double the contractor's profit margin to compensate for the
conflict
• D. Transfer the OCI review to a private auditing firm
Correct Answer: A. Identify, evaluate, and mitigate, neutralize, or avoid
the OCI prior to contract award
Detailed Rationale: OCIs arise when a contractor's other activities or
relationships impair their impartiality or create an unfair competitive
advantage, requiring active government mitigation.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of publicizing proposed contract actions
on SAM.gov under FAR Part 5?
• A. To increase government printing costs
• B. To provide equal opportunity for contractors, enhance
competition, and broaden industry awareness
• C. To allow the public to vote on winning contractors
• D. To comply with local municipal zoning laws
Correct Answer: B. To provide equal opportunity for contractors,
enhance competition, and broaden industry awareness
Detailed Rationale: Public notification on SAM.gov ensures
transparency and gives all responsible business sources a fair
opportunity to compete for federal requirements.
Question 7
What statutory act mandates that federal agencies promote and
provide for full and open competition in their procurement processes?
