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MCPPO 2 Design and Construction Contracting
Comprehensive Exam – Massachusetts Certified
Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) | Comprehensive
Practice Questions & Answers | Design, Construction
Contracting & Public Procurement
Description: This comprehensive examination is designed for public
officials seeking MCPPO certification in Design and Construction
Contracting. The exam covers the legal framework of public
construction procurement in Massachusetts under M.G.L. c. 149 and
M.G.L. c. 30, §39M, including prequalification, filed sub-bidding,
bidding procedures, contract administration, change orders, delays,
disputes, prevailing wage compliance, and alternative delivery methods.
Based on the official MCPPO curriculum, this assessment tests both
recall and application-level reasoning expected of competent public
procurement officials .
---
SECTION 1: QUESTIONS 1-50
Question 1
The three distinct stages of the public construction project lifecycle
under Massachusetts procurement law are:
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A) Conception, Design, and Construction
B) Planning, Design, and Construction
C) Pre-bid, Bid, and Post-bid
D) Feasibility, Procurement, and Closeout
Answer: B
Rationale: The public construction project lifecycle consists of three
distinct stages: Planning, Design, and Construction. The planning stage
involves defining the project scope, budget, and schedule. The design
stage results in a complete set of plans and specifications. The
construction stage involves the physical building of the project .
---
Question 2
Under M.G.L. c. 149, for building construction projects, you must solicit
filed sub-bids when the work in a filed sub-bid category is estimated to
cost more than:
A) $10,000
B) $25,000
C) $50,000
D) $100,000
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Answer: B
Rationale: M.G.L. c. 149 identifies 18 filed sub-bid categories of work.
You must solicit filed sub-bids when the work in a filed sub-bid category
is estimated to cost more than $25,000 .
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Question 3
Sealed sub-bids must be filed with the awarding authority at least how
many business days before the general bid opening?
A) Two business days
B) Three business days
C) Four and one-half business days
D) Five business days
Answer: C
Rationale: Sealed sub-bids must be filed with the awarding authority at
least four and one-half business days before the general bid opening.
This timing allows for proper review and processing of sub-bids before
the general bid opening .
---
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Question 4
Which of the following MUST be included in an Invitation for Bids
(IFB) under M.G.L. c. 149?
A) Form for General Bid only
B) Complete set of specifications and plans drawn to minimum scale
referencing the required category of work
C) Contractor insurance requirements only
D) Project timeline without specifications
Answer: B
Rationale: Under M.G.L. c. 149, the IFB must include the following:
Form for General Bid, Form for Sub-Bid, complete set of specifications
and plans drawn to minimum scale referencing the required category of
work in which general bidders must be certified by DCAMM, Update
Statement forms, and appropriate reference to the payment of prevailing
wages .
---
Question 5
According to the Attorney General's Office, the minimum notice
required for changes to an IFB (addenda) should be considered as:
MCPPO 2 Design and Construction Contracting
Comprehensive Exam – Massachusetts Certified
Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) | Comprehensive
Practice Questions & Answers | Design, Construction
Contracting & Public Procurement
Description: This comprehensive examination is designed for public
officials seeking MCPPO certification in Design and Construction
Contracting. The exam covers the legal framework of public
construction procurement in Massachusetts under M.G.L. c. 149 and
M.G.L. c. 30, §39M, including prequalification, filed sub-bidding,
bidding procedures, contract administration, change orders, delays,
disputes, prevailing wage compliance, and alternative delivery methods.
Based on the official MCPPO curriculum, this assessment tests both
recall and application-level reasoning expected of competent public
procurement officials .
---
SECTION 1: QUESTIONS 1-50
Question 1
The three distinct stages of the public construction project lifecycle
under Massachusetts procurement law are:
,2|Page
A) Conception, Design, and Construction
B) Planning, Design, and Construction
C) Pre-bid, Bid, and Post-bid
D) Feasibility, Procurement, and Closeout
Answer: B
Rationale: The public construction project lifecycle consists of three
distinct stages: Planning, Design, and Construction. The planning stage
involves defining the project scope, budget, and schedule. The design
stage results in a complete set of plans and specifications. The
construction stage involves the physical building of the project .
---
Question 2
Under M.G.L. c. 149, for building construction projects, you must solicit
filed sub-bids when the work in a filed sub-bid category is estimated to
cost more than:
A) $10,000
B) $25,000
C) $50,000
D) $100,000
,3|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: M.G.L. c. 149 identifies 18 filed sub-bid categories of work.
You must solicit filed sub-bids when the work in a filed sub-bid category
is estimated to cost more than $25,000 .
---
Question 3
Sealed sub-bids must be filed with the awarding authority at least how
many business days before the general bid opening?
A) Two business days
B) Three business days
C) Four and one-half business days
D) Five business days
Answer: C
Rationale: Sealed sub-bids must be filed with the awarding authority at
least four and one-half business days before the general bid opening.
This timing allows for proper review and processing of sub-bids before
the general bid opening .
---
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Question 4
Which of the following MUST be included in an Invitation for Bids
(IFB) under M.G.L. c. 149?
A) Form for General Bid only
B) Complete set of specifications and plans drawn to minimum scale
referencing the required category of work
C) Contractor insurance requirements only
D) Project timeline without specifications
Answer: B
Rationale: Under M.G.L. c. 149, the IFB must include the following:
Form for General Bid, Form for Sub-Bid, complete set of specifications
and plans drawn to minimum scale referencing the required category of
work in which general bidders must be certified by DCAMM, Update
Statement forms, and appropriate reference to the payment of prevailing
wages .
---
Question 5
According to the Attorney General's Office, the minimum notice
required for changes to an IFB (addenda) should be considered as:
