Contracting Officer Representative Course 2025 | 200+ Actual Questions and
Answers 100% Correct
Question 1
What does the acronym FAR stand for in the context of government contracting?
A) Federal Acquisition Rules
B) Federal Acquisition Regulation
C) Final Acquisition Requirements
D) Federal Agency Rulings
Correct Answer: B) Federal Acquisition Regulation
Rationale: The FAR is the primary set of rules governing the "acquisition process" by
which the U.S. federal government purchases goods and services. It is codified in Title 48 of
the Code of Federal Regulations.
Question 2
All federal acquisition professionals must adhere to the principles outlined in the FAR, which
include ensuring responsible use of taxpayer money, maintaining the highest ethical standards,
and:
A) Awarding contracts to the lowest bidder.
B) Committing to fair and open competition.
C) Prioritizing small business awards.
D) Minimizing contract administration.
Correct Answer: B) commit to fair and open competition
Rationale: A cornerstone of federal acquisition is the principle of full and open competition.
This means that, to the maximum extent practicable, all responsible sources are permitted
to submit bids or proposals on government requirements.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a general responsibility of a Contracting Officer's Representative
(COR)?
A) Acquisition planning
B) Market research
C) Signing and executing contract modifications
D) Contract performance management
Correct Answer: C) Signing and executing contract modifications
Rationale: The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only individual with the legal authority to
enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and
findings. A COR monitors performance and provides technical direction but cannot change
the terms of the contract.
Question 4
A key trait of an effective COR is:
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A) The authority to obligate government funds.
B) A background in contract law.
C) A personal relationship with the contractor.
D) Technical expertise and familiarity with all aspects of the contract.
Correct Answer: D) technical expertise and familiarity with all aspects of the contract
Rationale: The COR is the "eyes and ears" of the Contracting Officer. Their primary value
comes from their subject matter expertise in the work being performed, which allows them
to effectively monitor the contractor's technical performance and ensure the government
receives what it paid for.
Question 5
Which of the following is a specific duty of a COR?
A) Awarding the contract to the chosen vendor.
B) Negotiating the final price of the contract.
C) Reviewing, accepting, or rejecting contractor deliverables.
D) Terminating the contract for default.
Correct Answer: C) review, accept, and reject deliverables
Rationale: A core function of the COR is to inspect the goods or services provided by the
contractor to determine if they meet the requirements of the contract. The COR has the
delegated authority to formally accept or reject these deliverables on behalf of the
government.
Question 6
What is the mission of the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI)?
A) To award and administer federal contracts.
B) To ensure the development of a competent federal acquisition workforce.
C) To set procurement policy for all federal agencies.
D) To hear and decide on contract protests.
Correct Answer: B) ensure the development of a federal acquisition workforce
Rationale: The FAI is responsible for fostering and promoting the development of a
professional acquisition workforce. It provides training, certification programs (like the
COR certification), and resources for all members of the federal acquisition community.
Question 7
The purpose of COR involvement in the acquisition planning phase includes validating the need,
establishing requirements, and:
A) Selecting the winning contractor.
B) Developing elements of the acquisition plan.
C) Negotiating with potential vendors.
D) Approving the final budget.
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Correct Answer: B) develop elements of the acquisition plan
Rationale: The acquisition planning phase is where the overall strategy for the
procurement is developed. The COR, as the technical expert, plays a crucial role in this
phase by helping to define the requirements, conduct market research, and develop the key
elements of the plan.
Question 8
In federal acquisition, what are the two meanings of the term "solicitation"?
A) The process of requesting bids and the physical document requesting bids.
B) The advertisement of the requirement and the final contract award.
C) The market research phase and the evaluation phase.
D) The internal government need and the external industry offer.
Correct Answer: A) process of requesting bids from potential contractors & physical
document requesting bids from potential contractors (RFP, RFB, RFQ)
Rationale: The term solicitation refers both to the overall process of seeking proposals from
industry and to the specific document (e.g., Request for Proposal) that is released to
industry to communicate the government's requirements.
Question 9
During the solicitation phase, the government releases a document to industry to request bids.
Which of the following is NOT one of the standard solicitation documents?
A) Request for Proposal (RFP)
B) Request for Information (RFI)
C) Request for Bid (RFB) or Invitation for Bid (IFB)
D) Request for Quote (RFQ)
Correct Answer: B) Request for Information (RFI)
Rationale: An RFI is a market research tool used before a solicitation is issued to gather
information. The formal solicitation documents that request a bid or proposal upon which
an award can be made are RFPs, RFBs (also called IFBs), and RFQs.
Question 10
During the evaluation step of the acquisition process, what is the COR's primary role?
A) To act as the sole decision-maker.
B) To provide input to the Technical Evaluation Team (TET) summary report.
C) To communicate directly with offerors to clarify their proposals.
D) To determine the final price of the contract.
Correct Answer: B) input in the TET summary report
Rationale: The COR often serves as a member of the TET, using their technical expertise to
assess the strengths and weaknesses of each offeror's proposal against the evaluation
criteria. Their assessment becomes part of the team's summary report to the CO.
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Question 11
During the award step of the acquisition process, the COR receives their formal authority to
monitor the contract through what document?
A) The contract itself
B) The Request for Proposal (RFP)
C) A delegation letter from the Contracting Officer
D) The Statement of Work (SOW)
Correct Answer: C) delegation letter and contract docs and forms given to the COR
Rationale: A COR does not have inherent authority. Their authority is formally delegated
to them in writing by the Contracting Officer after the contract is awarded. This delegation
letter (or appointment letter) specifies the exact duties and limitations of their authority.
Question 12
Which of the following is a key post-award task for a COR?
A) Writing the acquisition plan.
B) Serving as the chairperson of the Technical Evaluation Team.
C) Monitoring the contractor's performance against the contract terms.
D) Issuing the solicitation document.
Correct Answer: A) monitor contractor performance
Rationale: The post-award phase is where the COR's primary duties begin. Their main
function is to monitor the contractor's day-to-day performance to ensure it complies with
the technical requirements, schedule, and other terms of the contract.
Question 13
How does a professional know when to function as a Project Manager (PM) versus a Contracting
Officer's Representative (COR)?
A) If there is a contract, they are a PM; if there is a delegation letter, they are a COR.
B) The titles are interchangeable.
C) The PM has budget authority, while the COR does not.
D) The COR has legal authority, while the PM does not.
Correct Answer: A) If contract, then PM. If delegation letter, then COR
Rationale: This is a key distinction in roles. A Project Manager has overall responsibility
for a project's cost, schedule, and performance. A COR is a specific, formal role with
delegated legal authority to act on behalf of the Contracting Officer for a specific contract.
A person can be a PM, and if their project involves a contract, they will also be formally
appointed as the COR for that contract.
Question 14
A government employee who is part of the Integrated Product Team (IPT) for a project is
considered a(n):
Answers 100% Correct
Question 1
What does the acronym FAR stand for in the context of government contracting?
A) Federal Acquisition Rules
B) Federal Acquisition Regulation
C) Final Acquisition Requirements
D) Federal Agency Rulings
Correct Answer: B) Federal Acquisition Regulation
Rationale: The FAR is the primary set of rules governing the "acquisition process" by
which the U.S. federal government purchases goods and services. It is codified in Title 48 of
the Code of Federal Regulations.
Question 2
All federal acquisition professionals must adhere to the principles outlined in the FAR, which
include ensuring responsible use of taxpayer money, maintaining the highest ethical standards,
and:
A) Awarding contracts to the lowest bidder.
B) Committing to fair and open competition.
C) Prioritizing small business awards.
D) Minimizing contract administration.
Correct Answer: B) commit to fair and open competition
Rationale: A cornerstone of federal acquisition is the principle of full and open competition.
This means that, to the maximum extent practicable, all responsible sources are permitted
to submit bids or proposals on government requirements.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a general responsibility of a Contracting Officer's Representative
(COR)?
A) Acquisition planning
B) Market research
C) Signing and executing contract modifications
D) Contract performance management
Correct Answer: C) Signing and executing contract modifications
Rationale: The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only individual with the legal authority to
enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and
findings. A COR monitors performance and provides technical direction but cannot change
the terms of the contract.
Question 4
A key trait of an effective COR is:
,[Type here]
A) The authority to obligate government funds.
B) A background in contract law.
C) A personal relationship with the contractor.
D) Technical expertise and familiarity with all aspects of the contract.
Correct Answer: D) technical expertise and familiarity with all aspects of the contract
Rationale: The COR is the "eyes and ears" of the Contracting Officer. Their primary value
comes from their subject matter expertise in the work being performed, which allows them
to effectively monitor the contractor's technical performance and ensure the government
receives what it paid for.
Question 5
Which of the following is a specific duty of a COR?
A) Awarding the contract to the chosen vendor.
B) Negotiating the final price of the contract.
C) Reviewing, accepting, or rejecting contractor deliverables.
D) Terminating the contract for default.
Correct Answer: C) review, accept, and reject deliverables
Rationale: A core function of the COR is to inspect the goods or services provided by the
contractor to determine if they meet the requirements of the contract. The COR has the
delegated authority to formally accept or reject these deliverables on behalf of the
government.
Question 6
What is the mission of the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI)?
A) To award and administer federal contracts.
B) To ensure the development of a competent federal acquisition workforce.
C) To set procurement policy for all federal agencies.
D) To hear and decide on contract protests.
Correct Answer: B) ensure the development of a federal acquisition workforce
Rationale: The FAI is responsible for fostering and promoting the development of a
professional acquisition workforce. It provides training, certification programs (like the
COR certification), and resources for all members of the federal acquisition community.
Question 7
The purpose of COR involvement in the acquisition planning phase includes validating the need,
establishing requirements, and:
A) Selecting the winning contractor.
B) Developing elements of the acquisition plan.
C) Negotiating with potential vendors.
D) Approving the final budget.
,[Type here]
Correct Answer: B) develop elements of the acquisition plan
Rationale: The acquisition planning phase is where the overall strategy for the
procurement is developed. The COR, as the technical expert, plays a crucial role in this
phase by helping to define the requirements, conduct market research, and develop the key
elements of the plan.
Question 8
In federal acquisition, what are the two meanings of the term "solicitation"?
A) The process of requesting bids and the physical document requesting bids.
B) The advertisement of the requirement and the final contract award.
C) The market research phase and the evaluation phase.
D) The internal government need and the external industry offer.
Correct Answer: A) process of requesting bids from potential contractors & physical
document requesting bids from potential contractors (RFP, RFB, RFQ)
Rationale: The term solicitation refers both to the overall process of seeking proposals from
industry and to the specific document (e.g., Request for Proposal) that is released to
industry to communicate the government's requirements.
Question 9
During the solicitation phase, the government releases a document to industry to request bids.
Which of the following is NOT one of the standard solicitation documents?
A) Request for Proposal (RFP)
B) Request for Information (RFI)
C) Request for Bid (RFB) or Invitation for Bid (IFB)
D) Request for Quote (RFQ)
Correct Answer: B) Request for Information (RFI)
Rationale: An RFI is a market research tool used before a solicitation is issued to gather
information. The formal solicitation documents that request a bid or proposal upon which
an award can be made are RFPs, RFBs (also called IFBs), and RFQs.
Question 10
During the evaluation step of the acquisition process, what is the COR's primary role?
A) To act as the sole decision-maker.
B) To provide input to the Technical Evaluation Team (TET) summary report.
C) To communicate directly with offerors to clarify their proposals.
D) To determine the final price of the contract.
Correct Answer: B) input in the TET summary report
Rationale: The COR often serves as a member of the TET, using their technical expertise to
assess the strengths and weaknesses of each offeror's proposal against the evaluation
criteria. Their assessment becomes part of the team's summary report to the CO.
, [Type here]
Question 11
During the award step of the acquisition process, the COR receives their formal authority to
monitor the contract through what document?
A) The contract itself
B) The Request for Proposal (RFP)
C) A delegation letter from the Contracting Officer
D) The Statement of Work (SOW)
Correct Answer: C) delegation letter and contract docs and forms given to the COR
Rationale: A COR does not have inherent authority. Their authority is formally delegated
to them in writing by the Contracting Officer after the contract is awarded. This delegation
letter (or appointment letter) specifies the exact duties and limitations of their authority.
Question 12
Which of the following is a key post-award task for a COR?
A) Writing the acquisition plan.
B) Serving as the chairperson of the Technical Evaluation Team.
C) Monitoring the contractor's performance against the contract terms.
D) Issuing the solicitation document.
Correct Answer: A) monitor contractor performance
Rationale: The post-award phase is where the COR's primary duties begin. Their main
function is to monitor the contractor's day-to-day performance to ensure it complies with
the technical requirements, schedule, and other terms of the contract.
Question 13
How does a professional know when to function as a Project Manager (PM) versus a Contracting
Officer's Representative (COR)?
A) If there is a contract, they are a PM; if there is a delegation letter, they are a COR.
B) The titles are interchangeable.
C) The PM has budget authority, while the COR does not.
D) The COR has legal authority, while the PM does not.
Correct Answer: A) If contract, then PM. If delegation letter, then COR
Rationale: This is a key distinction in roles. A Project Manager has overall responsibility
for a project's cost, schedule, and performance. A COR is a specific, formal role with
delegated legal authority to act on behalf of the Contracting Officer for a specific contract.
A person can be a PM, and if their project involves a contract, they will also be formally
appointed as the COR for that contract.
Question 14
A government employee who is part of the Integrated Product Team (IPT) for a project is
considered a(n):
