CORB Study Guide: High-Quality Exam Elaborations
1. You receive a customer's procurement package. In it, the PWS addresses key
personnel required. The customer wants to evaluate the availability and commitment of
the proposed key personnel when evaluating offers. What would you recommend the
customer include in the instructions to offerors for proposal submission requirements
and evaluation factors?: I would recommend that the customer include a requirement for
commitment letters from all vendors and state in the solicitation that key personnel with also be
evaluated by both their qualifications and by evaluating their commitment letter. Section L -
Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award.
2. Why is inspection and acceptance important to the Government?: FAR 46.5 Risk of
loss of or damage to supplies shall remain with the contractor until, and shall pass to the
Government upon Delivery or Acceptance. After 30 days without rejection, it is considered
accepted by the GOV. The KO wants to ensure the COR inspects all received supplies and
services to ensure we get what we ordered and are good stewards of the taxpayers money. To
prevent fraud, waste and abuse. It is part of the quality assurance.
3. Explain the difference between an offeror's experience and an offeror's past
performance: Experience details work that the contractor has done in scale and scope. Past
performance is a report of how well they did. Performance can be obtained by CPARS, Past
Performance Retrieval System (PPIRS), and surveys.
,4. How would you define depth and breadth of an offeror's experience to be included
in a solicitation/evaluation?: Breadth of experience reflects the Offeror's experience in
performing the full range/all of the efforts required. Depth of experience reflects the magnitude,
significance, and applicability/relevance of the Offeror's experience in performing each of the
efforts required. An offeror's past performance should only be included if it is similar in nature
to the new solicitation that is being evaluated. It could be the qualifications/certification that the
offeror has or previous/relevant work that the offeror had completed.
5. A legally binding contract must contain what elements?: An offer and an acceptance.
1. Component Parties (capacity, competence, and Authority) 2. Mutual Assent (binding offer,
valid acceptance, and meeting of the minds) 3. Consideration (the bargained for legal value of
the deal) 4. Certainty of terms (the contract must be unambiguous) 5. Lawful purpose (Violations
of the law will not be enforced)
6. Explain the "Bona Fide Needs" rule.: It is a rule of appropriations law. It mandates that a
fiscal year's appropriations only be obligated to meet a legitimate—or bona fide—need arising
in (or sometimes before) the fiscal year for which the appropriation was made. Penalty is Job,
2 years in Jail and $5K fine or both.
7. What is the order of precedence for a solicitation or contract in accordance with FAR
52.215-8? For example, the specifications require a different item than is stated in the
Schedule (Section B). What does the contractor use?: Order of precedence Rule: UCF: a
tiebreaker based on where the argument is in the contract and not in the contract itself.
(a) The Schedule (excluding the specifications).
(b) Representations and other instructions.
(c) Contract clauses.
(d) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments.
(e) The specifications.
8. Once all receivables have been delivered/completed and verified by the
customer/COR, the ACO or KO reviews the contract files for remaining closeout actions.
,Why is contract closeout so important? What actions need to be taken in closeout?
Closeouts is required per FAR 4.804, it is necessary to ensure all actions under contract
are complete, final payment is processed, and left-over funds are deobligated.: 1.
Required deliveries completed and accepted by the GOV.
2. All services performed and accepted by GOV.
3. All option provisions if any expired.
4. GOV gives the contractor notice. Past performance evaluation (if required). Completion
settlement and final voucher submitted. Second, release of claims signed. DD 1594 Contract
Completion Statement and 1597.
9. On a full and open competitive negotiated acquisition, you have received five
proposals and determined that discussions are needed, what is the process of
determining which offerors are in the competitive range for these discussions?: If the
Contracting Officer decides that an offeror's proposal should no longer be included in the
competitive range, the proposal will be eliminated from further consideration for award. The
Contracting Officer must provide written notice of this decision to unsuccessful offerors in
accordance with FAR Part 15.503(a). The notice to each offeror must state (1) the basis for
excluding/eliminating its offer, (2) the basis for the determination, and (3) that a revision of its
proposal will not be considered.
The Contracting Officer must prepare a written competitive range determination based on all
evaluation factors, including a complete rationale for decisions to include or exclude specific
proposals from the competitive range. This document is the Competitive Range Determination
memorandum.
10. If you have a competitive requirement, how will you determine the Best Value
Approach to use in regards to choosing LPTA or Tradeoff? Also, give at least one
example when each is appropriate.: LPTA is when price is the most important factor. Lowest
price, no tradeoff. Tradeoff is when other factors outweigh cost. It is the most flexible. We always
consider cost. Evaluation of factors in mandatory on contracts exceeding $1MIL. (Price, quality
, or technical, Past Performance). Tradeoff would usually be used in more complicated
requirements where certain qualities are more important to the customer than others. LPTA
would be used for simpler supply buys.
11. How would you mentor a new Contract Specialist (recent intern graduate) that has
been assigned to your team? What tools would you provide to your specialist in
accomplishing their duties? What tools do you use in accomplishing your duties?:
Conduct an Initial counseling that covers duties and expectations.
Set goals and priorities. Review and approve their Individual Development Plan (IDP), Assign a
coach and mentor. I would mentor a new CS assigned to my team by helping them through a
common SAT purchase, explaining the steps and procedures involved. I would show them loca
SOPs, Policy Letters, PCF, SAM, FARsite, and
WAWF.
12. What is an unauthorized commitment? What steps do you take in evaluating,
processing and approving an unauthorized commitment?: An unauthorized commitment is
$$ committed by an individual who did not have the authority to obligate the $$. To approve a
UC, you will need to go through the ratification process.
Unauthorized commitments violate federal law, federal regulations, and the Government-wide
Standards of Conduct for Federal Employees, and the DFARS. Ratification. Cases that cannot
be ratified under FAR 1.602-3 may be subject to resolution as authorized by FAR Subpart 33.2,
Disputes and Appeals.
13. What do you envision is the role of your CORs? When are you required to appoint
one? What authorities are you allowed to delegate to your COR? What authorities are
not delegable to the COR?: The KO usually delegates surveillance and status reporting under
FAR PART 42. The COR is the eyes and ears of the Contracting Officer. Shall be certified and
maintain certification. CORs are not authorized to make commitments. CORs must be a
government employees. CORs duties are to promptly inspect services, ID if they meet or do not
meet AQL, SAT or UNSAT completion, and complete performance evaluation. The COR
1. You receive a customer's procurement package. In it, the PWS addresses key
personnel required. The customer wants to evaluate the availability and commitment of
the proposed key personnel when evaluating offers. What would you recommend the
customer include in the instructions to offerors for proposal submission requirements
and evaluation factors?: I would recommend that the customer include a requirement for
commitment letters from all vendors and state in the solicitation that key personnel with also be
evaluated by both their qualifications and by evaluating their commitment letter. Section L -
Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Bidders, Section M - Evaluation Factors for Award.
2. Why is inspection and acceptance important to the Government?: FAR 46.5 Risk of
loss of or damage to supplies shall remain with the contractor until, and shall pass to the
Government upon Delivery or Acceptance. After 30 days without rejection, it is considered
accepted by the GOV. The KO wants to ensure the COR inspects all received supplies and
services to ensure we get what we ordered and are good stewards of the taxpayers money. To
prevent fraud, waste and abuse. It is part of the quality assurance.
3. Explain the difference between an offeror's experience and an offeror's past
performance: Experience details work that the contractor has done in scale and scope. Past
performance is a report of how well they did. Performance can be obtained by CPARS, Past
Performance Retrieval System (PPIRS), and surveys.
,4. How would you define depth and breadth of an offeror's experience to be included
in a solicitation/evaluation?: Breadth of experience reflects the Offeror's experience in
performing the full range/all of the efforts required. Depth of experience reflects the magnitude,
significance, and applicability/relevance of the Offeror's experience in performing each of the
efforts required. An offeror's past performance should only be included if it is similar in nature
to the new solicitation that is being evaluated. It could be the qualifications/certification that the
offeror has or previous/relevant work that the offeror had completed.
5. A legally binding contract must contain what elements?: An offer and an acceptance.
1. Component Parties (capacity, competence, and Authority) 2. Mutual Assent (binding offer,
valid acceptance, and meeting of the minds) 3. Consideration (the bargained for legal value of
the deal) 4. Certainty of terms (the contract must be unambiguous) 5. Lawful purpose (Violations
of the law will not be enforced)
6. Explain the "Bona Fide Needs" rule.: It is a rule of appropriations law. It mandates that a
fiscal year's appropriations only be obligated to meet a legitimate—or bona fide—need arising
in (or sometimes before) the fiscal year for which the appropriation was made. Penalty is Job,
2 years in Jail and $5K fine or both.
7. What is the order of precedence for a solicitation or contract in accordance with FAR
52.215-8? For example, the specifications require a different item than is stated in the
Schedule (Section B). What does the contractor use?: Order of precedence Rule: UCF: a
tiebreaker based on where the argument is in the contract and not in the contract itself.
(a) The Schedule (excluding the specifications).
(b) Representations and other instructions.
(c) Contract clauses.
(d) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments.
(e) The specifications.
8. Once all receivables have been delivered/completed and verified by the
customer/COR, the ACO or KO reviews the contract files for remaining closeout actions.
,Why is contract closeout so important? What actions need to be taken in closeout?
Closeouts is required per FAR 4.804, it is necessary to ensure all actions under contract
are complete, final payment is processed, and left-over funds are deobligated.: 1.
Required deliveries completed and accepted by the GOV.
2. All services performed and accepted by GOV.
3. All option provisions if any expired.
4. GOV gives the contractor notice. Past performance evaluation (if required). Completion
settlement and final voucher submitted. Second, release of claims signed. DD 1594 Contract
Completion Statement and 1597.
9. On a full and open competitive negotiated acquisition, you have received five
proposals and determined that discussions are needed, what is the process of
determining which offerors are in the competitive range for these discussions?: If the
Contracting Officer decides that an offeror's proposal should no longer be included in the
competitive range, the proposal will be eliminated from further consideration for award. The
Contracting Officer must provide written notice of this decision to unsuccessful offerors in
accordance with FAR Part 15.503(a). The notice to each offeror must state (1) the basis for
excluding/eliminating its offer, (2) the basis for the determination, and (3) that a revision of its
proposal will not be considered.
The Contracting Officer must prepare a written competitive range determination based on all
evaluation factors, including a complete rationale for decisions to include or exclude specific
proposals from the competitive range. This document is the Competitive Range Determination
memorandum.
10. If you have a competitive requirement, how will you determine the Best Value
Approach to use in regards to choosing LPTA or Tradeoff? Also, give at least one
example when each is appropriate.: LPTA is when price is the most important factor. Lowest
price, no tradeoff. Tradeoff is when other factors outweigh cost. It is the most flexible. We always
consider cost. Evaluation of factors in mandatory on contracts exceeding $1MIL. (Price, quality
, or technical, Past Performance). Tradeoff would usually be used in more complicated
requirements where certain qualities are more important to the customer than others. LPTA
would be used for simpler supply buys.
11. How would you mentor a new Contract Specialist (recent intern graduate) that has
been assigned to your team? What tools would you provide to your specialist in
accomplishing their duties? What tools do you use in accomplishing your duties?:
Conduct an Initial counseling that covers duties and expectations.
Set goals and priorities. Review and approve their Individual Development Plan (IDP), Assign a
coach and mentor. I would mentor a new CS assigned to my team by helping them through a
common SAT purchase, explaining the steps and procedures involved. I would show them loca
SOPs, Policy Letters, PCF, SAM, FARsite, and
WAWF.
12. What is an unauthorized commitment? What steps do you take in evaluating,
processing and approving an unauthorized commitment?: An unauthorized commitment is
$$ committed by an individual who did not have the authority to obligate the $$. To approve a
UC, you will need to go through the ratification process.
Unauthorized commitments violate federal law, federal regulations, and the Government-wide
Standards of Conduct for Federal Employees, and the DFARS. Ratification. Cases that cannot
be ratified under FAR 1.602-3 may be subject to resolution as authorized by FAR Subpart 33.2,
Disputes and Appeals.
13. What do you envision is the role of your CORs? When are you required to appoint
one? What authorities are you allowed to delegate to your COR? What authorities are
not delegable to the COR?: The KO usually delegates surveillance and status reporting under
FAR PART 42. The COR is the eyes and ears of the Contracting Officer. Shall be certified and
maintain certification. CORs are not authorized to make commitments. CORs must be a
government employees. CORs duties are to promptly inspect services, ID if they meet or do not
meet AQL, SAT or UNSAT completion, and complete performance evaluation. The COR
