CON 237 Simplified Acquisition Procedures |
Defense Acquisition University | Academic
Year 2026/2027
Section 1: Simplified Acquisition Thresholds & Scope of SAP
Q1. A contracting officer is preparing to acquire office furniture with an estimated
total value of $180,000, including all option periods. Which statement is correct
regarding the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?
A. SAP may not be used because the requirement exceeds $150,000.
B. SAP may be used because the aggregate value of the acquisition and all
options does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
C. SAP may be used only if the requirement is set aside for small business.
D. SAP may be used only with approval of the Head of the Contracting Activity.
Rationale: Under FAR 13.000 and 13.003, SAP may be used when the
aggregate value of the acquisition and all options does not exceed the Simplified
Acquisition Threshold (SAT). As of October 1, 2025, the SAT is $350,000. The CO
may use SAP without HCA approval at this value. The small business reservation
applies but does not bar SAP use.
Q2. A requirements office has submitted a purchase request for IT services
totaling $2,250,000 over a five-year period. The contracting officer is considering
using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. What is the correct determination?
A. SAP may be used because the requirement is for services rather than supplies.
B. SAP may not be used because the aggregate value exceeds the
simplified acquisition threshold.
C. SAP may be used if the requirement is split into smaller purchases below the
SAT.
D. SAP may be used if the requirement is set aside for small business.
Rationale: SAP is authorized only for acquisitions at or below the SAT. The
aggregate value of $2,250,000 far exceeds the SAT of $350,000. Splitting
,requirements to stay below the SAT is expressly prohibited under FAR 13.001 and
13.003.
Q3. What is the current Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) as of October 1,
2025?
A. $150,000
B. $250,000
C. $350,000
D. $500,000
Rationale: The FAR Council's inflation adjustment raised the SAT from
$250,000 to $350,000 effective October 1, 2025. This threshold determines which
procurements can use the streamlined procedures of FAR Part 13.
Q4. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR)?
A. To maximize profits for government contractors
B. To provide a uniform policy for the acquisition of supplies and services
by executive agencies
C. To ensure all contracts are awarded to small businesses
D. To simplify the payment process for commercial items
Rationale: The FAR is the principal set of rules governing the federal
acquisition process. Its primary purpose is to provide a uniform, consistent policy
and procedure for all executive agencies to follow when acquiring goods and
services. While it has many objectives, uniformity is its foundational goal.
Q5. A contracting officer is purchasing commercial janitorial services for a base
facility. The estimated value is $95,000. The CO determines that two small
businesses can perform the work. What must the CO do?
A. Use full and open competition because the value exceeds the micro-purchase
threshold.
,B. Set the acquisition aside for small business concerns under FAR 19.502-
2.
C. Award to the lowest bidder without further action.
D. Use sealed bidding procedures.
Rationale: Under FAR 19.502-2, acquisitions of supplies or services above
the micro-purchase threshold but at or below the SAT must be set aside for small
business concerns when there is a reasonable expectation that at least two small
businesses can perform. This is not discretionary.
Q6. SAP may be used for an acquisition if:
A. The contracting officer obtains approval from the Head of the Contracting
Activity.
B. The aggregate value of the acquisition and all options does not exceed
the SAT.
C. The acquisition is for commercial items only.
D. The requirement is set aside for small business.
Rationale: FAR 13.003 authorizes SAP when the aggregate value of the
acquisition, including all options, does not exceed the SAT. The value must be
computed on an aggregate basis, not per line item.
Q7. What is the "rule of two" under the Small Business Act as applied to simplified
acquisitions?
A. The CO must solicit at least two quotes for every purchase.
B. The CO must set aside an acquisition for small business if there is a
reasonable expectation that at least two responsible small business concerns will
submit offers.
C. The CO must award to the second-lowest bidder.
D. The CO must obtain two independent government cost estimates.
Rationale: The "rule of two" requires that acquisitions be set aside for
small business when there is a reasonable expectation that at least two
, responsible small business concerns will submit offers and that award can be
made at fair market price. This applies to acquisitions above the micro-purchase
threshold but at or below the SAT.
Q8. Which of the following acquisitions would be eligible for simplified acquisition
procedures?
A. A $500,000 noncommercial research and development contract
B. A $275,000 contract for commercial training services
C. A $400,000 construction project
D. A $600,000 order under a Federal Supply Schedule contract
Rationale: SAP is authorized for acquisitions at or below the SAT
($350,000). A $275,000 contract for commercial training services is within the SAT
and eligible. The $500,000 and $400,000 examples exceed the SAT. The $600,000
FSS order would require procedures under FAR Part 8.
Q9. A contracting officer has a requirement for four military-unique fighter
aircraft parts costing $95,000 each, for a total of $380,000. Which statement is
correct?
A. SAP may be used because each individual part is below the SAT.
B. SAP may not be used because the aggregate value of $380,000 exceeds
the SAT.
C. SAP may be used because the parts are military-unique.
D. SAP may be used if the CO splits the purchase into two separate acquisitions.
Rationale: The aggregate value of the acquisition determines SAP
eligibility. At $380,000, the total exceeds the SAT of $350,000. Splitting the
requirement into smaller purchases to stay below the SAT is prohibited under FAR
13.001.
Q10. Which FAR Part governs Simplified Acquisition Procedures for
noncommercial acquisitions?
Defense Acquisition University | Academic
Year 2026/2027
Section 1: Simplified Acquisition Thresholds & Scope of SAP
Q1. A contracting officer is preparing to acquire office furniture with an estimated
total value of $180,000, including all option periods. Which statement is correct
regarding the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?
A. SAP may not be used because the requirement exceeds $150,000.
B. SAP may be used because the aggregate value of the acquisition and all
options does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
C. SAP may be used only if the requirement is set aside for small business.
D. SAP may be used only with approval of the Head of the Contracting Activity.
Rationale: Under FAR 13.000 and 13.003, SAP may be used when the
aggregate value of the acquisition and all options does not exceed the Simplified
Acquisition Threshold (SAT). As of October 1, 2025, the SAT is $350,000. The CO
may use SAP without HCA approval at this value. The small business reservation
applies but does not bar SAP use.
Q2. A requirements office has submitted a purchase request for IT services
totaling $2,250,000 over a five-year period. The contracting officer is considering
using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. What is the correct determination?
A. SAP may be used because the requirement is for services rather than supplies.
B. SAP may not be used because the aggregate value exceeds the
simplified acquisition threshold.
C. SAP may be used if the requirement is split into smaller purchases below the
SAT.
D. SAP may be used if the requirement is set aside for small business.
Rationale: SAP is authorized only for acquisitions at or below the SAT. The
aggregate value of $2,250,000 far exceeds the SAT of $350,000. Splitting
,requirements to stay below the SAT is expressly prohibited under FAR 13.001 and
13.003.
Q3. What is the current Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) as of October 1,
2025?
A. $150,000
B. $250,000
C. $350,000
D. $500,000
Rationale: The FAR Council's inflation adjustment raised the SAT from
$250,000 to $350,000 effective October 1, 2025. This threshold determines which
procurements can use the streamlined procedures of FAR Part 13.
Q4. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR)?
A. To maximize profits for government contractors
B. To provide a uniform policy for the acquisition of supplies and services
by executive agencies
C. To ensure all contracts are awarded to small businesses
D. To simplify the payment process for commercial items
Rationale: The FAR is the principal set of rules governing the federal
acquisition process. Its primary purpose is to provide a uniform, consistent policy
and procedure for all executive agencies to follow when acquiring goods and
services. While it has many objectives, uniformity is its foundational goal.
Q5. A contracting officer is purchasing commercial janitorial services for a base
facility. The estimated value is $95,000. The CO determines that two small
businesses can perform the work. What must the CO do?
A. Use full and open competition because the value exceeds the micro-purchase
threshold.
,B. Set the acquisition aside for small business concerns under FAR 19.502-
2.
C. Award to the lowest bidder without further action.
D. Use sealed bidding procedures.
Rationale: Under FAR 19.502-2, acquisitions of supplies or services above
the micro-purchase threshold but at or below the SAT must be set aside for small
business concerns when there is a reasonable expectation that at least two small
businesses can perform. This is not discretionary.
Q6. SAP may be used for an acquisition if:
A. The contracting officer obtains approval from the Head of the Contracting
Activity.
B. The aggregate value of the acquisition and all options does not exceed
the SAT.
C. The acquisition is for commercial items only.
D. The requirement is set aside for small business.
Rationale: FAR 13.003 authorizes SAP when the aggregate value of the
acquisition, including all options, does not exceed the SAT. The value must be
computed on an aggregate basis, not per line item.
Q7. What is the "rule of two" under the Small Business Act as applied to simplified
acquisitions?
A. The CO must solicit at least two quotes for every purchase.
B. The CO must set aside an acquisition for small business if there is a
reasonable expectation that at least two responsible small business concerns will
submit offers.
C. The CO must award to the second-lowest bidder.
D. The CO must obtain two independent government cost estimates.
Rationale: The "rule of two" requires that acquisitions be set aside for
small business when there is a reasonable expectation that at least two
, responsible small business concerns will submit offers and that award can be
made at fair market price. This applies to acquisitions above the micro-purchase
threshold but at or below the SAT.
Q8. Which of the following acquisitions would be eligible for simplified acquisition
procedures?
A. A $500,000 noncommercial research and development contract
B. A $275,000 contract for commercial training services
C. A $400,000 construction project
D. A $600,000 order under a Federal Supply Schedule contract
Rationale: SAP is authorized for acquisitions at or below the SAT
($350,000). A $275,000 contract for commercial training services is within the SAT
and eligible. The $500,000 and $400,000 examples exceed the SAT. The $600,000
FSS order would require procedures under FAR Part 8.
Q9. A contracting officer has a requirement for four military-unique fighter
aircraft parts costing $95,000 each, for a total of $380,000. Which statement is
correct?
A. SAP may be used because each individual part is below the SAT.
B. SAP may not be used because the aggregate value of $380,000 exceeds
the SAT.
C. SAP may be used because the parts are military-unique.
D. SAP may be used if the CO splits the purchase into two separate acquisitions.
Rationale: The aggregate value of the acquisition determines SAP
eligibility. At $380,000, the total exceeds the SAT of $350,000. Splitting the
requirement into smaller purchases to stay below the SAT is prohibited under FAR
13.001.
Q10. Which FAR Part governs Simplified Acquisition Procedures for
noncommercial acquisitions?
