CLM 059 SBA Exam Questions with Verified Answers

What is the DoD Small Business Program? - Answer- DoD policy is that a fair proportion of DoD total purchases, contracts, subcontracts, and other agreements for property and services and for sales of property, be placed with Small Business Programs and that such small businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in DoD acquisitions FAR) 19.202 - Answer- requires that small business concerns be afforded an equitable opportunity to compete for all contracts that they can perform to the extent consistent with the Government's interest. FAR part 19 includes - Answer- Maximum Practicable Opportunity Fair Proportion of DoD Total Purchases •Prime Contracts •Subcontracts •Sale of Property A small business must meet the following criteria - Answer- Has a Place of Business in the U.S., Operates Primarily within the U.S. or Makes a Significant Contribution to the U.S. •Independently Owned and Operated •Not Dominant in its Field •A Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation or other Legal Form Categories of Small Business include - Answer- Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) •Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) o 8(a) Certified Small Business •Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) •Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) •Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business (HUBZone) Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) - Answer- a small business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by women. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - Answer- a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or individuals. 8(a) Certified Small Business - Answer- participants can receive sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling, including options, of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing. Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) - Answer- small business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans. VOSBs are self-identifying. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) - Answer- participants can receive sole-source contracts, up to a ceiling, including options, of $6 million for manufacturing and $3.5 million for any other NAICS code. HUBZone Small Business - Answer- established to promote job growth, capital investment, and economic development to historically underutilized business zones, by providing contracting assistance to small businesses located in these economically distressed communities. Initial Planning - Answer- we conduct market research to determine whether there is a commercial solution available and whether small business can provide that solution. Market Research - Answer- one of the steps in the Acquisition Process where Contracting Officers can promote ma opportunity for small bus. utilization Pre-Solicitation Phase - Answer- Initial Planning, Market Research, Acquisition Planning, Procurement Request, SOW/PWS/SOO, and Factors/Sub-factors Solicitation Award Phase - Answer- Solicitation [Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB), solicitation] Evaluation (Technical, cost/price, past performance, Small Business Participation) •Negotiation •Award What is DoD Policy regarding Small Business? Be sure to include some of the main small business categories - Answer- DoD Policy requires us to provide maximum practicable opportunity to small businesses, and there are specific rules covering the proportion of DoD total purchases, Prime Contracts, Subcontracts, and Sale of Property. It's in the FAR part 19. Acquisition Team - Answer- composed of many different participants who work together to navigate through the acquisition process. Each team member has specific tasks and is empowered to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. Tools that help identify small business candidates include - Answer- Requests for Information (RFI) issued by Contracting Officer • Sources Sought Synopsis issued by Contracting Officer • General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules Yellow pages • Professional trade organizations • Trade shows • Networking • Internet Searches Contracting Officer with the support of the Contracting Specialist, is responsible for - Answer- Establishing a feasible and appropriate acquisition strategy • Reviewing requirements, evaluation criteria, and cost estimates • Serving as the official point of contact between the government and industry • Coordinating final review of the acquisition package to identify contractual impacts • Ensure customer provides sufficient funding • Ensuring that contractors receive fair, impartial, and equitable treatment • Planning and coordinating source selection Administering, modifying, and terminating the resulting contract • Ensuring that all laws, executive orders, legislation, and applicable procedures are met Small Business Professionals help small businesses - Answer- Market their products and services with DoD • Follow defense procurement procedures • Be placed on the solicitation mailing lists • Identify prime contract and subcontract opportunities (Rule of Two) Small Business Professionals can provide valuable assistance to the Acquisition Team in: - Answer- Helping plan the milestone schedule • Defining the acquisition strategy which produces better value and lower costs • Guiding team members in determining the appropriate level of market research alternatives and sources • Assisting team members in understanding small business set-asides • Saving on pass-through costs • Promoting increased competition • Maximizing opportunities for small businesses • Addressing consolidation issues • Identify subcontracting opportunities Small Business Administration Procurement Center Representative - Answer- Coordinate and interface with federal buying offices (through the Small Business Professionals) to implement small business policies and programs • Review proposed procurements to maximize small business participation through set-aside programs • Review subcontracting plans to provide advice on acceptability The small business specialist should be involved early in the acquisition process - Answer- help with market research and identifying small business, provide advice as to set-asides and subcontracting opportunities Program Manager - Answer- directs the acquisition team in the early stages of acquisition planning Market research - Answer- the process of collecting and analyzing information regarding: •Commercial capabilities •Processes •Pricing •Incentives •warranties •Delivery •Other standard terms and conditions When is Market Research Conducted? - Answer- the earliest phases of planning an acquisition before any documentation, such as the performance work statement, is developed. Also when an organization is exercising an option and must determine if the prices offered and previously negotiated are fair and reasonable. FAR 10.001 - Answer- specifies that agencies must conduct market research appropriate to the following circumstances. FAR 10.001(a)(2) - Answer- i. Before developing new requirements documents for an acquisition by that agency; ii. Before soliciting offers for acquisitions with an estimated value in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold; iii. Before soliciting offers for acquisitions with an estimated value less than the simplified acquisition threshold when adequate information is not available and the circumstances justify its cost; iv. Before soliciting offers for acquisitions that could lead to a bundled contract. FAR 17.207 - Answer- states that prior to exercising the option, an informal analysis of prices or an examination of the market must be performed to determine that the option prices are better than prices available in the market or that the option is the more advantageous offer. Unique instances where is Market Research Warranted - Answer- Component breakouts, Terminations, Contract modifications The Purpose of Market Research - Answer- determine the suitability of the marketplace for satisfying a need or requirement to help the acquisition team become informed consumers Strategically market research - Answer- used to develop overall organizational goals and objectives. Tactically market research - Answer- used to gather data to identify potential sources for a specific requirement or solicitation. How is Market Research Conducted - Answer- Define the data needed, Locate sources of information, Develop final source list, Develop survey questions, Interview sources, Compile and discuss results What are Small Business Set-Asides? - Answer- Program helps assure that small businesses are awarded a fair portion of government contracts by reserving unilateral determination - Answer- one that is made by the Co