Defense Acquisition University (DAU) / Federal Acquisition
Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Contracting Certification
(CON 3990V) - Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
EXAM: CON 3990V Certification Exam
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2026
TOTAL QUESTIONS: 150
FORMAT: Multiple Choice with Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations
TOPIC 1: THE FAR SYSTEM (PARTS 1-4)
1. Which FAR part establishes the vision and overarching goals of the Federal Acquisition
System?
A) Part 1 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System
B) Part 2 – Definitions of Words and Terms
C) Part 5 – Publicizing Contract Actions
D) Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Items
Answer: A
Explanation: FAR Part 1 outlines the acquisition system's vision of delivering best value,
maintaining public trust, and fulfilling policy objectives .
2. Under FAR Part 3, which of the following is prohibited as an "improper business practice"?
A) Offering a modest gift to a contracting officer after contract award
B) Participating in a conference sponsored by a potential contractor
C) Disclosing confidential cost data to a competitor
D) Accepting a personal loan from a contractor while evaluating proposals
Answer: D
Explanation: Personal loans from contractors create a conflict of interest and are expressly
prohibited under FAR Part 3 as improper business practices .
3. FAR Part 4 requires that contract files be retained for how many years after contract
closeout?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: B
Explanation: The FAR mandates a minimum retention period of five years for contract files
after closeout .
,4. Which FAR part prescribes policies and procedures for avoiding improper business practices
and personal conflicts of interest?
A) FAR Part 1
B) FAR Part 2
C) FAR Part 3
D) FAR Part 4
Answer: C
Explanation: FAR Part 3 specifically addresses improper business practices, gratuities, and
personal conflicts of interest in federal contracting .
5. What is the purpose of FAR Part 2?
A) To establish competition requirements
B) To define words and terms frequently used in the FAR
C) To prescribe acquisition planning procedures
D) To govern contract administration
Answer: B
Explanation: FAR Part 2 provides definitions of key terms used throughout the FAR system
and authorizes their incorporation into solicitations by reference .
6. Which FAR part covers administrative and information matters, including contract file
retention?
A) FAR Part 1
B) FAR Part 3
C) FAR Part 4
D) FAR Part 5
Answer: C
Explanation: FAR Part 4 prescribes policies for contract execution, document distribution,
reporting, retention, and files .
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TOPIC 2: PUBLICIZING AND COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS (PARTS 5-6)
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7. What is the primary purpose of the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) in acquisition
planning?
A) To provide a secure portal for contractor invoices
B) To publish synopses of upcoming contract actions for public notice
C) To host contract award notices after source selection
, D) To archive all contract modifications
Answer: B
Explanation: The GPE (e.g., SAM.gov) is used to publicly announce solicitations, ensuring
transparency and competition .
8. Which competition requirement is satisfied when an agency excludes sources based on a
statutory limitation?
A) Full and open competition
B) Full and open competition after exclusion of sources
C) Other than full and open competition (OFOC)
D) Sole source procurement
Answer: B
Explanation: Full and open competition after exclusion of sources permits lawful exclusions
(e.g., small business set-asides, national security) while still seeking competition among
remaining eligible sources .
9. A Justification and Approval (J&A) is required for which of the following?
A) A contract awarded under a simplified acquisition threshold
B) A sole-source award above the micro-purchase limit
C) A contract awarded under full and open competition
D) A contract where the acquisition plan is not yet finalized
Answer: B
Explanation: J&As are required for other-than-full-and-open competition, such as sole-source
awards, when the price exceeds the micro-purchase threshold .
10. Under FAR Part 6, which condition allows for other than full and open competition?
A) When the contracting officer prefers a specific vendor
B) When there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy
agency requirements
C) When the government wants to save time
D) When the agency budget is insufficient
Answer: B
Explanation: FAR 6.302-1 permits OFOC when only one responsible source can meet agency
requirements, such as unique capabilities or proprietary items .
11. When must a contracting officer publicize a contract action under FAR Part 5?
A) Only for contracts over the micro-purchase threshold
B) For all contract actions expected to exceed $25,000
C) Only for sole-source awards
D) Never - publicizing is optional
, Answer: B
Explanation: FAR Part 5 requires publicizing all contract actions expected to exceed $25,000
through the GPE to ensure transparency and competition .
12. What is the correct order of precedence for required sources of supplies under FAR Part 8?
A) Agency inventory, excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries, AbilityOne
B) AbilityOne, Federal Prison Industries, agency inventory, commercial sources
C) Commercial sources, agency inventory, Federal Prison Industries
D) Federal Prison Industries, commercial sources, agency inventory
Answer: A
Explanation: FAR Part 8 establishes a mandatory order of precedence: agency inventories,
excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR), AbilityOne (NIB/NISH), then
commercial sources .
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TOPIC 3: ACQUISITION PLANNING AND MARKET RESEARCH (PARTS 7-12)
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13. What is the primary purpose of conducting market research under FAR Part 10?
A) To determine if commercial items are available to meet agency needs
B) To select the lowest-priced offeror
C) To evaluate past performance of contractors
D) To determine contract termination procedures
Answer: A
Explanation: Market research under FAR Part 10 helps agencies determine the availability of
commercial or non-developmental items before developing unique requirements .
14. Which FAR part governs the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services?
A) FAR Part 8
B) FAR Part 10
C) FAR Part 12
D) FAR Part 15
Answer: C
Explanation: FAR Part 12 implements the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) and
provides special procedures for acquiring commercial items, emphasizing commercial practices
.
15. What does FAR Part 7 require before initiating a new acquisition?
Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Contracting Certification
(CON 3990V) - Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
EXAM: CON 3990V Certification Exam
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2026
TOTAL QUESTIONS: 150
FORMAT: Multiple Choice with Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations
TOPIC 1: THE FAR SYSTEM (PARTS 1-4)
1. Which FAR part establishes the vision and overarching goals of the Federal Acquisition
System?
A) Part 1 – Federal Acquisition Regulations System
B) Part 2 – Definitions of Words and Terms
C) Part 5 – Publicizing Contract Actions
D) Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Items
Answer: A
Explanation: FAR Part 1 outlines the acquisition system's vision of delivering best value,
maintaining public trust, and fulfilling policy objectives .
2. Under FAR Part 3, which of the following is prohibited as an "improper business practice"?
A) Offering a modest gift to a contracting officer after contract award
B) Participating in a conference sponsored by a potential contractor
C) Disclosing confidential cost data to a competitor
D) Accepting a personal loan from a contractor while evaluating proposals
Answer: D
Explanation: Personal loans from contractors create a conflict of interest and are expressly
prohibited under FAR Part 3 as improper business practices .
3. FAR Part 4 requires that contract files be retained for how many years after contract
closeout?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: B
Explanation: The FAR mandates a minimum retention period of five years for contract files
after closeout .
,4. Which FAR part prescribes policies and procedures for avoiding improper business practices
and personal conflicts of interest?
A) FAR Part 1
B) FAR Part 2
C) FAR Part 3
D) FAR Part 4
Answer: C
Explanation: FAR Part 3 specifically addresses improper business practices, gratuities, and
personal conflicts of interest in federal contracting .
5. What is the purpose of FAR Part 2?
A) To establish competition requirements
B) To define words and terms frequently used in the FAR
C) To prescribe acquisition planning procedures
D) To govern contract administration
Answer: B
Explanation: FAR Part 2 provides definitions of key terms used throughout the FAR system
and authorizes their incorporation into solicitations by reference .
6. Which FAR part covers administrative and information matters, including contract file
retention?
A) FAR Part 1
B) FAR Part 3
C) FAR Part 4
D) FAR Part 5
Answer: C
Explanation: FAR Part 4 prescribes policies for contract execution, document distribution,
reporting, retention, and files .
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========
TOPIC 2: PUBLICIZING AND COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS (PARTS 5-6)
========================================================================
========
7. What is the primary purpose of the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) in acquisition
planning?
A) To provide a secure portal for contractor invoices
B) To publish synopses of upcoming contract actions for public notice
C) To host contract award notices after source selection
, D) To archive all contract modifications
Answer: B
Explanation: The GPE (e.g., SAM.gov) is used to publicly announce solicitations, ensuring
transparency and competition .
8. Which competition requirement is satisfied when an agency excludes sources based on a
statutory limitation?
A) Full and open competition
B) Full and open competition after exclusion of sources
C) Other than full and open competition (OFOC)
D) Sole source procurement
Answer: B
Explanation: Full and open competition after exclusion of sources permits lawful exclusions
(e.g., small business set-asides, national security) while still seeking competition among
remaining eligible sources .
9. A Justification and Approval (J&A) is required for which of the following?
A) A contract awarded under a simplified acquisition threshold
B) A sole-source award above the micro-purchase limit
C) A contract awarded under full and open competition
D) A contract where the acquisition plan is not yet finalized
Answer: B
Explanation: J&As are required for other-than-full-and-open competition, such as sole-source
awards, when the price exceeds the micro-purchase threshold .
10. Under FAR Part 6, which condition allows for other than full and open competition?
A) When the contracting officer prefers a specific vendor
B) When there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy
agency requirements
C) When the government wants to save time
D) When the agency budget is insufficient
Answer: B
Explanation: FAR 6.302-1 permits OFOC when only one responsible source can meet agency
requirements, such as unique capabilities or proprietary items .
11. When must a contracting officer publicize a contract action under FAR Part 5?
A) Only for contracts over the micro-purchase threshold
B) For all contract actions expected to exceed $25,000
C) Only for sole-source awards
D) Never - publicizing is optional
, Answer: B
Explanation: FAR Part 5 requires publicizing all contract actions expected to exceed $25,000
through the GPE to ensure transparency and competition .
12. What is the correct order of precedence for required sources of supplies under FAR Part 8?
A) Agency inventory, excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries, AbilityOne
B) AbilityOne, Federal Prison Industries, agency inventory, commercial sources
C) Commercial sources, agency inventory, Federal Prison Industries
D) Federal Prison Industries, commercial sources, agency inventory
Answer: A
Explanation: FAR Part 8 establishes a mandatory order of precedence: agency inventories,
excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR), AbilityOne (NIB/NISH), then
commercial sources .
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TOPIC 3: ACQUISITION PLANNING AND MARKET RESEARCH (PARTS 7-12)
========================================================================
========
13. What is the primary purpose of conducting market research under FAR Part 10?
A) To determine if commercial items are available to meet agency needs
B) To select the lowest-priced offeror
C) To evaluate past performance of contractors
D) To determine contract termination procedures
Answer: A
Explanation: Market research under FAR Part 10 helps agencies determine the availability of
commercial or non-developmental items before developing unique requirements .
14. Which FAR part governs the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services?
A) FAR Part 8
B) FAR Part 10
C) FAR Part 12
D) FAR Part 15
Answer: C
Explanation: FAR Part 12 implements the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) and
provides special procedures for acquiring commercial items, emphasizing commercial practices
.
15. What does FAR Part 7 require before initiating a new acquisition?
