CPWM Practice Exam Questions and Correct
Answers & Detailed Rationales | New Jersey
Public Works
Page 1 of 82
,Question 1: Under the New Jersey Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et
seq.), what is the statutory requirement regarding the advertisement of public bids for
municipal infrastructure projects?
A. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 5 days prior to the date
fixed for receiving bids.
B. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 10 days prior to the date
fixed for receiving bids.
C. Bids must be published on the municipal website for 14 consecutive days prior to
bid opening.
D. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 20 days prior to the date
fixed for receiving bids.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 10
days prior to the date fixed for receiving bids.
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 40A:11-23 specifies that all advertisements for bids must be
published in an official newspaper designated by the contracting unit at least 10
days prior to the date fixed for receiving the bids, excluding Sundays and legal
holidays.
Question 2: According to PEOSH (Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health)
standards in New Jersey, which of the following atmospheric conditions in a trench or
excavated area triggers mandatory continuous ventilation or atmospheric monitoring
prior to employee entry?
A. Any trench deeper than 3 feet where oxygen concentration is below 20.9%.
B. Excavations greater than 4 feet in depth where a dangerous atmospheric
condition exists or could reasonably be expected to exist.
C. Any excavation where groundwater is present regardless of depth.
D. Only excavations deeper than 20 feet that require an engineered shoring system.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Excavations greater than 4 feet in depth where a dangerous
atmospheric condition exists or could reasonably be expected to exist.
Rationale: PEOSH excavation standards (aligning with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651)
mandate that for excavations deeper than 4 feet where oxygen deficiency (less than
19.5%) or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to exist,
the atmosphere must be tested before employees enter.
Page 2 of 82
,Question 3: In New Jersey municipal finance, what is the primary function of the
Flexible Chart of Accounts (FCOA) as administered by the Division of Local
Government Services (DLGS)?
A. To track the daily hourly wages and overtime payout rates of public works labor
unions.
B. To establish a standardized coding structure for municipal revenues,
appropriations, and general ledger accounts across all municipalities.
C. To replace the requirement for an annual independent audit by a Registered
Municipal Accountant (RMA).
D. To regulate the interest rates charged on delinquent property taxes and utility
assessments.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To establish a standardized coding structure for municipal
revenues, appropriations, and general ledger accounts across all municipalities.
Rationale: The Flexible Chart of Accounts (FCOA) provides a uniform system of
financial reporting and account classification for all New Jersey local government
units, enabling standardized budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis under
DLGS oversight.
Question 4: What is the maximum statutory period allowed for a New Jersey
municipality to hold a bid security deposit submitted by an unsuccessful bidder after
the opening of public contract bids?
A. 3 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
B. 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
C. 30 calendar days from the date of bid opening.
D. 60 calendar days or until the contract is fully executed.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Rationale: Under N.J.S.A. 40A:11-24, the bid security of all except the three lowest
responsible bidders must be returned within 10 days after the opening of bids,
Sundays and holidays excepted. The remaining three lowest bids are retained until a
contract is executed or all bids are rejected.
Question 5: Under the New Jersey Underground Facility Protection Act (One Call Law
/ N.J.S.A. 48:2-73 et seq.), how far in advance of performing excavation work must a
Public Works department notify the One Call Damage Prevention System?
Page 3 of 82
, A. Not less than 2 business days nor more than 10 business days prior to the start of
excavation.
B. Exactly 24 hours prior to disturbing the soil.
C. At least 5 calendar days prior to excavation.
D. Not less than 3 business days nor more than 10 business days prior to the start of
excavation.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Not less than 3 business days nor more than 10 business days
prior to the start of excavation.
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 48:2-80 requires excavators to provide notice to the One Call
System at least 3 business days (72 hours, excluding weekends and state holidays)
but not more than 10 business days prior to commencing any excavation or
demolition work.
Question 6: Under the New Jersey Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4), what
is the statutory bid threshold amount for a municipality that does not possess a
Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA)?
A. $7,500
B. $17,500
C. $26,000
D. $44,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $17,500
Rationale: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-3, municipalities without a Qualified
Purchasing Agent (QPA) have a lower bid threshold, which is set at $17,500, whereas
municipalities with a certified QPA appointed by resolution are authorized to utilize
a higher threshold established by the Governor.
Question 7: According to New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
standards, what is the primary purpose of adding air-entraining agents to concrete
mixes used in municipal road construction and curb installations?
A. To accelerate the initial setting time of concrete in freezing weather conditions.
B. To improve workability and increase resistance to freeze-thaw cycle damage and
de-icing chemicals.
C. To permanently color the concrete surface for traffic calming and crosswalk
visibility.
Page 4 of 82
Answers & Detailed Rationales | New Jersey
Public Works
Page 1 of 82
,Question 1: Under the New Jersey Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et
seq.), what is the statutory requirement regarding the advertisement of public bids for
municipal infrastructure projects?
A. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 5 days prior to the date
fixed for receiving bids.
B. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 10 days prior to the date
fixed for receiving bids.
C. Bids must be published on the municipal website for 14 consecutive days prior to
bid opening.
D. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 20 days prior to the date
fixed for receiving bids.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bids must be advertised in an official newspaper at least 10
days prior to the date fixed for receiving bids.
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 40A:11-23 specifies that all advertisements for bids must be
published in an official newspaper designated by the contracting unit at least 10
days prior to the date fixed for receiving the bids, excluding Sundays and legal
holidays.
Question 2: According to PEOSH (Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health)
standards in New Jersey, which of the following atmospheric conditions in a trench or
excavated area triggers mandatory continuous ventilation or atmospheric monitoring
prior to employee entry?
A. Any trench deeper than 3 feet where oxygen concentration is below 20.9%.
B. Excavations greater than 4 feet in depth where a dangerous atmospheric
condition exists or could reasonably be expected to exist.
C. Any excavation where groundwater is present regardless of depth.
D. Only excavations deeper than 20 feet that require an engineered shoring system.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Excavations greater than 4 feet in depth where a dangerous
atmospheric condition exists or could reasonably be expected to exist.
Rationale: PEOSH excavation standards (aligning with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651)
mandate that for excavations deeper than 4 feet where oxygen deficiency (less than
19.5%) or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected to exist,
the atmosphere must be tested before employees enter.
Page 2 of 82
,Question 3: In New Jersey municipal finance, what is the primary function of the
Flexible Chart of Accounts (FCOA) as administered by the Division of Local
Government Services (DLGS)?
A. To track the daily hourly wages and overtime payout rates of public works labor
unions.
B. To establish a standardized coding structure for municipal revenues,
appropriations, and general ledger accounts across all municipalities.
C. To replace the requirement for an annual independent audit by a Registered
Municipal Accountant (RMA).
D. To regulate the interest rates charged on delinquent property taxes and utility
assessments.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To establish a standardized coding structure for municipal
revenues, appropriations, and general ledger accounts across all municipalities.
Rationale: The Flexible Chart of Accounts (FCOA) provides a uniform system of
financial reporting and account classification for all New Jersey local government
units, enabling standardized budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis under
DLGS oversight.
Question 4: What is the maximum statutory period allowed for a New Jersey
municipality to hold a bid security deposit submitted by an unsuccessful bidder after
the opening of public contract bids?
A. 3 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
B. 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
C. 30 calendar days from the date of bid opening.
D. 60 calendar days or until the contract is fully executed.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 10 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Rationale: Under N.J.S.A. 40A:11-24, the bid security of all except the three lowest
responsible bidders must be returned within 10 days after the opening of bids,
Sundays and holidays excepted. The remaining three lowest bids are retained until a
contract is executed or all bids are rejected.
Question 5: Under the New Jersey Underground Facility Protection Act (One Call Law
/ N.J.S.A. 48:2-73 et seq.), how far in advance of performing excavation work must a
Public Works department notify the One Call Damage Prevention System?
Page 3 of 82
, A. Not less than 2 business days nor more than 10 business days prior to the start of
excavation.
B. Exactly 24 hours prior to disturbing the soil.
C. At least 5 calendar days prior to excavation.
D. Not less than 3 business days nor more than 10 business days prior to the start of
excavation.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Not less than 3 business days nor more than 10 business days
prior to the start of excavation.
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 48:2-80 requires excavators to provide notice to the One Call
System at least 3 business days (72 hours, excluding weekends and state holidays)
but not more than 10 business days prior to commencing any excavation or
demolition work.
Question 6: Under the New Jersey Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4), what
is the statutory bid threshold amount for a municipality that does not possess a
Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA)?
A. $7,500
B. $17,500
C. $26,000
D. $44,000
CORRECT ANSWER: B. $17,500
Rationale: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-3, municipalities without a Qualified
Purchasing Agent (QPA) have a lower bid threshold, which is set at $17,500, whereas
municipalities with a certified QPA appointed by resolution are authorized to utilize
a higher threshold established by the Governor.
Question 7: According to New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
standards, what is the primary purpose of adding air-entraining agents to concrete
mixes used in municipal road construction and curb installations?
A. To accelerate the initial setting time of concrete in freezing weather conditions.
B. To improve workability and increase resistance to freeze-thaw cycle damage and
de-icing chemicals.
C. To permanently color the concrete surface for traffic calming and crosswalk
visibility.
Page 4 of 82
