Contract Specialist Practice Exam: Questions and Answers on Contracting Processes, Exams of Contract Law

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Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers How often are statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds in the FAR adjusted for inflation? - correct answer Every five years A form of written approval signed by an authorized official that is required by statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain contract actions is defined as a - correct answer Determination and Findings Contracting officers below the level of __________ shall be selected and appointed. - correct answer a head of a contracting activity According to the FAR conventions at Subpart 1.1, each authority is delagable unless - correct answer specifically stated otherwise When an imperative sentence directs action in the FAR, who is responsible for the action unless another party is expressly cited? a. the head of contracting activity b. the Secretary of the Army c. the contracting officer Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers d. the contracting specialist - correct answer the contracting officer Unauthorized commitments are agreements that are NOT binding solely because - correct answer the government representative who made the agreement lacked the authority to enter it The simplified acquisition threshold for any contract in support of contingency operations to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, outside the U.S. is - correct answer $1.5 million Which of the following is a commercial item? - correct answer A non-developmental item, if the procuring agency determines the item was developed exclusively at private expense and sold in substantial quantities, on a competitive basis, to multiple state and local governments. Consolidating two or more requirements for supplies or services, previously provided or performed under separate smaller contracts into a solicitation for a single contract that is likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business concern. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers Contractors must retain all records pertaining to a government contract for a minimum of a. five years from the date of contract closeout, unless otherwise specified. b. three years from the date of final payment, unless otherwise specified. c. three years from the date of contract completion, unless otherwise specified. d. five years from the date of contract completion, unless otherwise specified. - correct answer three years from the date of final payment, unless otherwise specified Contractor representations and certifications - correct answer are submitted through the System for Award Management Agencies must implement OMB guidance for personal identity verification when - correct answer contractors have routine physical access to either a federally controlled facility or information system. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers _____ is not prohibited under the Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance - correct answer Providing a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements. What is the dollar threshold for public announcement of contract awards? - correct answer $4,500,000 Acceptable methods for disseminating information on proposed contract actions include - correct answer announcements in magazines at no cost, assisting a local trade association in disseminating information to their members, and synopsis in the government point of entry. What is the minimum response time for receipt of bids or proposals for noncommercial item solicitations? - correct answer 30 days from the date of publication of a proper notice of intent to contract Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers The contracting officer may use competitive proposals in lieu of sealed bids if - correct answer it is necessary to conduct discussions The contracting officer's certification can serve as approval of the justification for other than full and open competition for a proposed contract NOT exceeding - correct answer $750,000 FAR Part 6, "Competition Requirements," applies to which of the following? a. A $1 million contract for services b. a contract awarded using the simplified acquisition procedures of Part 13 c. A contract modification for $1 million that is within the scope and under terms of an existing contract d. a $1 million task order place against a task order contract entered into pursuant to Subpart 16.5 - correct answer A $1 million contract for services If other than full and open competition is anticipated, the acquisition plan must be coordinated with the cognizant - correct answer competition advocate Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers b. products requiring qualifications before award. c. products normally sold in the commercial market. d. products requiring an approved first article to serve as a manufacturing standard. - correct answer products requiring an approved first article to serve as a manufacturing standard. A qualification requirement is a government requirement for - correct answer testing or other quality assurance demonstration that must be completed before award The names and addresses of all suspended contractors may be found at the a. Excluded Parties List. b. System for Award Management Exclusions. c. Online Representations and Certifications Application. d. Contractor Performance Assessment Reports System. - correct answer System for Award Management Exclusions Agencies are required to use the results of market research to determine Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers a. if detailed government specifications exist. b. a fair and reasonable price. c. the government's requirements. d. the extent to which commercial items or non- developmental items could satisfy the need. - correct answer the extent to which commercial items or non-developmental items could satisfy the need. If market research indicates that neither commercial items nor non-developmental items are available to satisfy agency needs, agencies a. must re-evaluate the need and determine whether it can be restated to permit commercial or non- developmental items to satisfy them. b. may set-aside the procurement. c. are authorized to pursue the acquisition as a restricted procurement. d. shall solicit and award any resultant contract using FAR Part 12 policies and procedures. - correct answer must re-evaluate the need and determine whether it can be restated to permit commercial or non- developmental items to satisfy them. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers Within what timeframe may previously conducted market research be used before the award of a task or delivery order? - correct answer Within 18 months, if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant Contract delivery or performance schedules may be expressed by a. the means determined by the requiring activity. b. the specific number of days from the date of the contract. c. the specific time for delivery after the receipt by the buyer of each order under the contract. d. any means the contractor specified in its bid or proposal. - correct answer the specific number of days from the date of the contract. To the maximum extent practicable, acquisition officials should state all the following requirements with respect to an acquisition of supplies or services, with the exception of - Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers for an economic price adjustment based on actual cost incurred When acquiring commercial items, the contracting officer - correct answer must establish price reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3, 14.408-2, or subpart 15.4, as applicable. A system whereby the contracting officer receives authorization from a fiscal and accounting officer to obligate funds on purchase documents against a specified lump sum of funds reserved for a specified time rather than obtaining individual obligation authority on each purchase document is - correct answer bulk fundng When considering a simplified acquisition, which database should contracting officers use as their primary source of vendor information? - correct answer SAM - System for Award Management When using the Governmentwide Commercial Purchase card as a method of payment, contracting officers need to verify a contractor's delinquent debt status in the System for Award Management (SAM) database when Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers those purchases are - correct answer above the micro-purchase threshold A contracting officer's decision not to set aside an acquisition for HUBZone small business or service- disabled veteran-owned small business concerns when it is at or below the simplified acquisition threshold - correct answer is not subject to review under FAR 19.4 Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations if a. the award is made to a small business b. the contracting officer determines that price is reasonable c. like purchase have been made from the same vendor d. the purchase is to be used for contingency operations or defense against or recovery from attacks. - correct answer the contracting officer determines that price is reasonable A cash fund of a fixed amount established by an advance of funds, without charge to an appropriation, from an agency finance or disbursing officer to a duly appointed Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers cashier, for disbursement as needed from time to time in making payment in cash for relatively small purchases. a. Governmentwide Commercial Card Payment b. Purchase Order c. Third Party Draft d. Imprest Fund e. Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) - correct answer Imprest Fund Imprest funds may be used for transactions up to - correct answer $500 It is advantageous to establish blanket purchase agreements with firms who - correct answer offer quality supplies or services at consistently lower prices than their competitors Concerning the use of simplified acquisition procedures - correct answer Purchases above the micro-purchase level are generally set-aside for small business Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers Concerning micro-purchases - correct answer The government commercial purchase card is the preferred means to purchase and pay for them Concerning quotations - correct answer A quotation is not an offer Concerning descriptive literature - correct answer The contracting officer may waive the requirements for descriptive literature Which of the following is NOT true regarding awards resulting from an invitation for bids? a. Bidders must accept all terms and conditions. b. Faxed bids are always accepted. c. Bidders must comply with all material aspects of the invitation. d. Bids must be received by the exact time of bid opening. - correct answer Faxed bids are always accepted Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers A prebid conference is never used for - correct answer substituting an amendment for an ambiguous invitation. The first step of two-step budding involves - correct answer technical analysis only. What is acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the government installation? - correct answer Time/date stamp of that installation on the bid wrapper. Which is NOT a reason to reject a bid? - correct answer The schedule contains an apparent clerical mistake Concerning electronic bids - correct answer Contracting officers may authorize use of electronic commerce for submission of bids but must specify the electronic commerce method(s) that bidders may use. Which contract types may be used with sealed bidding procedures? - Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers correct answer Firm-fixed-price and sometimes fixed-price with economic price adjustment In a case where equal low bids are received in response to an invitation for bids, which category of bidder is given the highest priority for award? a. small business concerns that are also 8(a) concerns b. small businesses that are owned by service disables veterans. c. small business concerns that are also located in labor surplus areas. d. all small business concerns participate in a lottery and the winner is chosen at random. - correct answer small business concerns that are also located in labor surplus areas. Exchanges of information among all interested parties are encouraged a. from the earliest identification of a requirement through receipt of proposals. b. from release of the request for proposals through the receipt of proposals. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers obtain vest value based on the requirement and the valuation factors The process of examining and evaluating a proposed price without evaluating its separate cost elements and proposed profit is called - correct answer price analysis Concerning requests for information (RFIs) - correct answer Responses to RFIs are not offers and may not be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. Proposal revisions - correct answer KO may request or allow proposal revisions to clarify and document understandings reached during negotiations. The contractor is required to submit certified cost and pricing data for subcontracts that are - correct answer the lower of either $15 million or valued at more than both the pertinent cost or pricing threshold and more than 10 percent of the prime contractor's price. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers Communication with an offeror for the sole purpose of eliminating minor irregularities, informalities, or apparent clerical mistakes in the proposal is called - correct answer clarification A proposal may be written - correct answer by written notice at anytime before an award A certificate of current cost or pricing data - correct answer does not constitute a representation as to the accuracy of the contractor's judgement on the estimate of future costs or projections If defective pricing is discovered after award a. the government has no recourse. b. the contractor determines the amount of increase and bills the government. c. the government is entitled to a price adjustment of any significant amount. d. a 15% penalty applies to any overpayment attributable to the contracors error. - Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers correct answer the government is entitled to a price adjustment of any significant amount. Pre-award debriefings shall NOT disclose - correct answer the number of offerors The least-preferred method of submitting ideas/concepts to the government is - correct answer unsolicited proposals In response to a widely-publicized solicitation for a noncommercial item, a contracting officer only received one responsible offer. The offer is a firm-fixed amount for $1,000,000, which was the same price for a similar item recently purchased by another agency under a contract that resulted from adequate price competition. Which of the following is correct? a. One offer doesn't meet the requirement for adequate price competition, therefore, certified cost and pricing data is required b. The item is non-commercial, therefore, certified cost and pricing data is not required c. The offeror is responsible, therefore, certifed cost and pricing data is not required. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers a. Increase in the threshold for advance payments b. Increase in the micro-purchase threshold c. Simplified purchase threshold purchase increase d. Higher dollar limitations for use of SF 44, Purchase Order-Invoice-Voucher - correct answer Increase in the threshold for advance payments If a requirement has been accepted by the SBA under the 8(a) Program, it must remain in the 8(a) Program unless a. the CO approves a determination and findings. b. the SBA agrees to its release. c. market research determines that the 8(a) Program is no longer a sound acquisition strategy. d. other small business concerns express interest in the requirement. - correct answer the SBA agrees to its release. A protest concerning small business representation a. will not be considered for the instant award. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers b. may be considered timely whether filed before or after award if filed by an interested party. c. is timely if filed by the next lowest bidder after award. d. may be considered timely if made orally and confirmed in writing within a five-day period. - correct answer may be considered timely if made orally and confirmed in writing within a five-day period. Which member of the acquisition team is responsible for determining the appropriate NAICS code and related small business size standard? a. the program manager b. the contract specialist assigned to the acquisition c. the contracting officer d. one level above the contracting officer - correct answer the contracting officer The contracting officer shall set aside a portion of acquisition, except for construction, for exclusive small business participation when - correct answer the requirement is severable into two or more economic production runs Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers If the contracting officer and the SBA area office cannot reach a resolution regarding a small business concern's ability to perform, who is empowered to make the final determination? a. one level above the contracting officer b. the SBA associate administrator for government contracting c. the agency's small business program manager d. the contract officer can make the final determination - correct answer the SBA associate administrator for government contracting Contractors are required to perform all government contracts, so far as is practicable, without using overtime, EXCEPT when - correct answer overtime is necessary to meet urgent program needs or will result in a lower overall cost to the government. The Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards statute (Act) requires which of the following? Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers d. Construction Minimum Wage Act. - correct answer Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute (Davis-Bacon Act) Which of the following is NOT a statutory exemption to the contracts for Materials Supplies, Articles, and Equipment Exceeding $15,000 statute (Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act)? a. Commercial items b. Perishables, including dairy, livestock, and nursery products c. Agricultural or farm products processed for first sale by the original producers d. Items manufactured outside the United States - correct answer Items manufactured outside the United States Service contracts valued in excess of _____ must contain mandatory provisions regarding minimum wage and fringe benefits, safe and sanitary working conditions, notification to employees of the minimum allowable compensation, and equivalent federal employee classifications and wage rates. - correct answer $2,500 Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers Federal agencies shall advance sustainable acquisition by ensuring that _____ percent of new contract actions for the supply of products and for the acquisition of services (including construction) require that the products are energy-efficient, water-efficient, bio-based, environmentally preferable, non-ozone depleting, or made with recovered materials. - correct answer 95 The Freedom of Information Act provides that information is to be made available to the public - correct answer upon request, providing a copy of a reasonably described record. For manufactured noncommercial end products, the test to determine the country of origin under the Buy American statute (Act) is a two-part test to - correct answer define a domestic end product that is manufactured in the United States and the domestic cost of the components exceeds 55 percent. The Buy American statute (Act) restricts the purchase of supplies that are NOT - correct answer domestic end products. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers During a disaster or emergency response - correct answer preference is given to local businesses T/F Generally, the government will refuse to award a contract on the grounds that the prospective contractor may infringe a patent. - correct answer False Performance and payment bonds are required or may be required for - correct answer construction contracts exceeding $150,000 and services and supply contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold when necessary to protect the government's interests. Which is NOT true of state and local taxes on federal purchases and leases? a. Generally, the federal government is immune b. Where exemptions exist, the contracting officer must take advantage of them. c. Subcontractor purchases under federal prime contracts are always immune to state and local taxes. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers The government's policy is to try to resolve all contractual issues in controversy by - correct answer mutual agreement at the contracting officer's level After receiving the GAO's written notice that a protest has been filed, an agency must give notice - correct answer of the protest to the contractor or all parties who appear to have a reasonable prospect of receiving award. Does a $75,000 claim resulting from a reduction of $350,000 and an increase of $275,000 require certification? a. No, because the claimed amount is less than $100,000. b. Yes, because the aggregate value of the claim exceeds $100,000. c. No, because the claimed amount is less than $500,000. d. Yes, because the aggregate value of the claim exceeds $500,000. - correct answer Yes, because the aggregate value of the claim exceeds $100,000. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers Protests may be filed with - correct answer the agency, the GAO, or the US Court of Claims Who can authorize continued performance in the face of a protest after award? - correct answer the head of the contracting activity The contracting officer shall consider all protests and seek legal advice - correct answer whether protests are submitted before or after award and whether filed directly with the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Claims, or the agency A protest based upon improprieties in a solicitation must be filed before bid opening or the closing date for receipt of proposals. in all other cases, protests must be filed a. within 10 calendar days of the time the protester knew or should have known of the basis of the protest, whichever is earlier. b. within 100 calendar days of the time the protester knew or should have known of the basis of the protest, whichever is earlier. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers c. within 5 days after a debriefing date to the other offerors. d. within 15 days before the acceptance of offers. - correct answer within 10 calendar days of the time the protester knew or should have known of the basis of the protest, whichever is earlier. Which of the following is not part of an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR)? a. The ability of the project's technical plan to achieve the objectives of the scope of work b. The degree to which the management process provides effective and integrated technical/schedule/cost planning and baseline control c. The degree to which the competitive process assessed the full marketplace potential for the program. d. The availability of personnel and facilities to execute the program successfully. - correct answer The degree to which the competitive process assessed the full marketplace potential for the program. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers b. renewable energy services at government facilities without government capital expense. c. research on theoretical mathematics and basic research involving medical, biological, physical, social, psychological, or other phenomena. d. routine information technology services unless they are an integral part of a contract for the acquisition of advisory and assistance services. - correct answer renewable energy services at government facilities without government capital expense. The Federal Supply Schedule program provides federal agencies - correct answer a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and services at prices associated with volume buying. Contracts to acquire information technology systems in successive interoperable increments are known as a. multiyear. b. successive. c. modular. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers d. alpha. - correct answer modular Prior to entering into a contract for information technology, an agency should analyze - correct answer risks, benefits, and cost. The following are examples of types of risk for the acquisition of information technology EXCEPT a. technical obsolescence. b. technical feasibility. c. contract administration. d. dependencies between a new project and other projects or systems. - correct answer contract administration. When is an agency required to use a GSA area-wide contract for ordering utility services? - correct answer When competition is not available. Subject to the fiscal regulations of the agencies and applicable interagency agreements, the requesting agency shall reimburse the servicing agency for rendered Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers contract administration and audit services in accordance with the a. Service Contract Labor Standards statute (Service Contract Act of 1965. b. current fiscal year appropriations. c. Economy Act (31U.S.C. 1535). d. Federal Contract Administration Act - correct answer Economy Act (31U.S.C. 1535). T/F In conducting production surveillance, the CAO personnel are prohibited from using contractor production control or data management systems. - correct answer False T/F Assisting the contractor in management of its subcontractors is a normal function of a contract administration office. - correct answer False A contract auditor is responsible for a. auditing the policies and procedures between the various agencies. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers c. Make changes authorized by clauses other than a "Changes" clause (e.g., "Property" clause, "Options" clause, or "Suspension of Work" clause) d. Issue termination notices - correct answer Reflect other agreements of the parties modifying the contract terms If a contractor has an approved purchasing system, - correct answer consent is required for subcontracts identified in the subcontracts clause of the contract. The contractor purchasing system review provides the administrative contracting officer a basis for all of the following EXCEPT: a. granting approval of the contractor's purchasing system. b. withholding approval of the contractor's purchasing system. c. withdrawing approval of the contractor's purchasing system. d. providing suggested changes to the contractor's purchasing system. - correct answer providing suggested changes to the contractor's purchasing system. Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers T/F Intellectual property and software is defined as government property. - correct answer False A latent defect is a defect that - correct answer exists at the time of acceptance and cannot be discovered by a reasonable inspection. The inclusion of a warranty in federal government contracts is a. forbidden by statute. b. allowed only in fixed-price contracts. c. normally allowed in cost-reimbursement contracts. d. not required. - correct answer not required. How does the government relieve contractors of liability for loss or damage to property of the government that occurs after acceptance or results from defects or deficiencies? - correct answer By acting as a self-insurer Contract Specialist Practice Exam Questions CON 3990 Questions And Answers A person holding himself or herself out to the general public to provide transportation for compensation is a - correct answer common carrier. Which is not one of the two types of Value-Engineering approaches? a. Incentive approach b. Teaming approach c. Mandatory program d. None of the above - correct answer Teaming approach A contract should not normally be terminated for convenience but should be permitted to run to completion when the price of the undelivered balance of the contract is les than - correct answer $5,000 What is the heart of a settlement for a contract terminated for convenience? - correct answer Business judgement