CFCM Practice Guide Test Flashcards
- How often are statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds in the FAR adjusted for inflation?
a. Annually
b. Biannually
c. Every five years
d. Nnly as required
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.109
c. 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
a. ratification.
b. determination and findings.
c. contracting officer’s final decision.
d. waiver.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.701
b. determination and findings.
- Contracting officers below the level of
shall be selected and appointed.
a. cabinet secretary
b. director of contracting
c. a flag officer or member of the Senior Executive Service
d. a head of a contracting activity
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.601
d. a head of a contracting activity
According to the FAR conventions at subpart 1.1, each authority is delegable unless
a. it does not make sense to delegate.
b. specifically stated otherwise.
c. the procurement is over the simplified acquisition threshold.
d. the procurement is over $6.5 million.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.108
b. 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
d. the contracting specialist
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.108(f)
c. the contracting officer
- Unauthorized commitments are agreements that are NOT binding solely because
a. the agreement is not made in the best interests of the government.
b. all requirements of executive orders were not followed in their development.
c. the supplies or services are not ultimately acceptable to the government and the government will not obtain benefit.
d. the government representative who made the agreement lacked the authority to enter into it.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.6
d. the government representative who made the agreement lacked the authority to enter into 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
a. $250,000.
b. $300,000.
c. $1.5 million.
d. $1.5 million.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 2.101
d. $1.5 million.
- Which of the following is a commercial item?
a. A nondevelopmental 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.
b. An item that evolved from an item that has not been sold to the general public.
c. A commercial item that has received modifications not available in the commercial marketplace.
d. A nondevelopmental item used exclusively for governmental purposes.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 2.101
a. A nondevelopmental 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 is defined as
a. combining.
b. consolidating.
c. bundling.
d. mixing.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 2.101
c. bundling.
- Which of the following are included in the definition of “contracts”?
a. Awards and notices of awards and grants.
b. Letter contracts and cooperative agreements.
c. Letter contracts and job orders.
d. Blanket purchase agreements and imprest funds.
c. Letter contracts and job orders.
- The government can minimize the opportunity for buying in by using which of the following techniques:
a. simplified acquisition procedures
b. priced options, amortization of nonrecurring costs, and simplified acquisition procedures
c. simplified acquisition procedures, costs, and multiyear contracting
d. multiyear contracting, priced options, and amortization of nonrecurring costs
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 3.501-2
d. multiyear contracting, priced options, and amortization of nonrecurring costs
- A contractor’s arrangements to pay contingent fees for soliciting government contracts have long been considered contrary to public policy because
a. they discourage competition.
b. they may lead to exercise of improper influence.
c. they result in excessive overhead costs.
d. accountability of costs is difficult to track.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 3.402
b. they may lead to exercise of improper influence.
13.
is any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation of any kind which is provided, directly or indirectly, to any prime contractor, prime contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a prime contractor in connection with a subcontract relating to a prime contract.
a. Buying in
b. Kickback
c. Partnership
d. Bundling
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 3.502-1
b. Kickback
- A contract with a corporation shall be signed
a. by the chief financial officer.
b. by the head of the contracts department.
c. in the corporate name, followed by the word
“by” and the signature and title of the person authorized to sign.
d. by the chief executive officer followed by the word “by” and the signature and title of the
person authorized to bind the corporation.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 4.102
c. in the corporate name, followed by the word
“by” and the signature and title of the person authorized to sign.
- 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.
ANSWER:—_
SOURCE(S): FAR 4.703
b. three years from the date of final payment, unless otherwise specified.
- Contractor representations and certifications
a. are submitted individually to each contracting office with other proposal documents.
b. are to be verified upon receipt with other active contracts to ensure conformity.
c. are submitted through the System for Award Management.
d. are required to be updated every 18 months.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 4.1200
c. are submitted through the System for Award Management.
- Agencies must implement OMB guidance for personal identity verification when
a. contractors have routine physical access to either a federally controlled facility or information system.
b. contractors receive any contract from the Department of Defense or Homeland Security.
c. contractors are required, in the performance of a contract, to attend briefings or meetings at
military installations.
d. contractors remotely access any federal information system.
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 4.1301
SOURCE(S): FAR 1.109
a. contractors have routine physical access to either a federally controlled facility or information system.
- Which of the following is not prohibited under the Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance?
a. A contractor using a covered
telecommunications system as long as it is not used in the performance of a federal contract.
b. Extending an existing contract that contains covered telecommunication equipment.
c. Entering into a contract that is 30 days or fewer to use a system that uses covered telecommunications equipment.
d. Providing a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 4.2102
d. 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?
a. $500,000
b. $4,500,000
c. $5,000,000
d. $10,000,000
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 5.303
b. $4,500,000
- Acceptable methods for disseminating information on proposed contract actions include
a. assisting a local trade association in disseminating information to their members, announcements in magazines at no cost, and phone calls.
b. synopsis in the governmentwide point of entry, phone calls, and paid advertisements.
c. paid advertisements in newspapers published and printed in the District of Columbia when supplies and services will not be supplied/ furnished in or around the District of Columbia.
d. announcements in magazines at no cost, assisting a local trade association in disseminating information to their members, and synopsis in the governmentwide point of entry.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 5.101(a) & (b)
d. announcements in magazines at no cost, assisting a local trade association in disseminating information to their members, and synopsis in the governmentwide point of entry.
- What is the minimum response time for receipt of bids or proposals for noncommercial item solicitations?
a. 15 days from the date of issuance of the solicitation
b. 30 days from the date of publication of a proper notice of intent to contract
c. 45 days from the date of issuance of the solicitation
d. 60 days from the date of issuance of the solicitation
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 5.203(d)
b. 30 days from the date of publication of a proper notice of intent to contract
- The contracting officer may use competitive
proposals in lieu of sealed bids if
a. time permits the solicitation, submission, and evaluation of sealed bids.
b. award will be made on the basis of price and other price-related factors.
c. it is necessary to conduct discussions.
d. the resulting contract will be with a small business.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 6.401(b)
c. 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
a. $25,000.
b. $750,000.
с. $1,500,000.
d. $5,500,000.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 6.304(a)(1)
b. $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 the terms of an existing contract
d. A $1 million task order placed against a task order contract entered into pursuant to subpart
16.5
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 6.001(a), (c), (f)
a. A $1 million contract for services
- If other than full and open competition is anticipated, the acquisition plan must be coordinated with the cognizant
a. competition advocate.
b. head of the contracting activity.
c. small business office.
d. contract administrator.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 7.104(c)
a. competition advocate.
- Acquisition planning should begin
a. when a purchase request is received.
b. when a statement of work is received.
c. as soon as the agency need is identified.
d. within 30 days of receipt of the purchase request.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 7.104(a)
c. as soon as the agency need is identified.
- The specific content of acquisition plans will vary, and are influenced primarily by which factors?
a. the specific type of goods or services being acquired
b. the nature, circumstances, and stage of the acquisition
c. the ultimate government end user of the goods or services
d. the type of contract and the scale of competition
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 7.105
b. the nature, circumstances, and stage of the acquisition
- Market research may indicate that bundling is necessary and justified if
a. the head of the contracting activity determines that it is.
b. there is no material impact to the small business community as defined by the competition advocate.
c. the government would derive measurably substantial benefits.
d. the commercial market indicates that the goods or services are more frequently acquired as a bundle than separately.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 7.107
c. the government would derive measurably substantial benefits.
- The Federal Supply Schedule program provides federal agencies with a simplified process for obtaining commonly used commercial supplies and services at prices associated with volume buying. It is directed and managed by the
a. Commerce Department.
b. Executive Department.
c. General Services Administration.
d. Defense Logistics Agency.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 8.402(a)
c. General Services Administration.
- Which of the following is the name of GSA’s
electronic system that allows ordering activities to
post requirements, obtain quotes, and issue orders electronically?
a. GSAAdvantage!
b. GSA SmartPay
c. e-Buy
d. Customer Supply Center
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 8.402(d)
c. e-Buy
- In the event that the Federal Prison Industries
(FPI) and nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program produce identical services, the ordering offices shall purchase services from the following sources based on priority. Identify the source that has first priority.
a. AbilityOne-participating nonprofit agencies
b. Federal Prison Industries, Inc.
c. Commercial sourcesd.
Federal Supply Schedule
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 8.603
a. AbilityOne-participating nonprofit agencies
- Normally, testing and approval is appropriate in contracts for
a. research and development.
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.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 9.303
d. products requiring an approved first article to serve as a manufacturing standard.
- A qualification requirement is a government requirement for
a. testing or other quality assurance demonstration that must be completed before award
b. testing that must be completed before the first item is delivered under the contract.
c. testing or other quality assurance demonstration that is always at the contractor’s expense.
d. approving a contractor’s quality system.
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 9.202(a)
a. 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.
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 9.404
b. System for Award Management Exclusions.
- Agencies are required to use the results of market research to determine
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 nondevelopmental items could satisfy the need.
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 10.001(a)(3)
d. the extent to which commercial items or nondevelopmental items could satisfy the need.
- If market research indicates that neither commercial items nor nondevelopmental items are available to satisfy agency needs, agencies
a. must reevaluate the need and determine whether it can be restated to permit commercial or nondevelopmental 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.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 10.002(c), (d)
a. must reevaluate the need and determine whether it can be restated to permit commercial or nondevelopmental items to satisfy them.
- Within what timeframe may previously conducted market research be used before the award of a task or delivery order?
a. Within 6 months, if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant
b. Within 12 months, if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant
c. Within 18 months, if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant
d. Any timeframe is allowed, as long as the information is still current, accurate, and relevant
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 10.002(b)(1)
c. 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 receipt by the buyer of each order under the contract.
d. any means the contractor specified in its bid or proposal.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 11.403(a)
b. 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
a. functions to be performed.
b. performance required.
c. essential physical characteristics.
d. preference for commercial or nondevelopmental items.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 11.002(a)
d. preference for commercial or nondevelopmental items.
- A contractor is awarded four separate contracts on the same day. One contract is rated “DO” and has
a final delivery date (FDD) in 60 days. Another contract is rated “DX” and has an FDD in 40 days.
Another contract is rated “DO” and has an FDD in 10 days. The fourth contract is unrated and has an FDD in 15 days. What is the order of priority on the contracts?
a. The unrated contract (15-day FDD), followed by both “DO” contracts that have equal priority
(10-day and 60-day FDD), followed by the “DX” contract (40-day FDD)
b. The “DX” contract (40-day FDD), followed by both “DO” contracts that have equal priority (10-
day and 60-day FDD), followed by the unrated contract (15-day FDD)
c. The “DX” contract (40-day FDD), followed by the “DO” contract (10-day FDD), followed by the unrated contract (15-day FDD), followed by the
“DO” contract (60-day FDD)
d. The “DO” contract (10-day FDD), followed by the unrated contract (15-day FDD), followed by the “DX” contract (40-day FDD), followed by the
“DO” contract (60-day FDD)
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 11.603(a)
b. The “DX” contract (40-day FDD), followed by both “DO” contracts that have equal priority (10-
day and 60-day FDD), followed by the unrated contract (15-day FDD)
- Contracting activities shall employ simplified acquisition procedures to the maximum practicable for acquisitions of commercial items not exceeding
a. $1,000,000.
b. $650,000.
с. $7,500,000.
d. $3,500,000.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 12.203
с. $7,500,000.
- Unless otherwise provided, agencies shall use which of the following contract type(s) for the acquisition of commercial items?
a. Any type of contract
b. Fixed-price contract with prospective price redetermination
c. Firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment contracts
d. Cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts only
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 12.207
c. Firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment contracts
- Cost Accounting Standards
a. apply to all acquisitions for commercial items.
b. apply only to commercial acquisitions from large businesses.
c. never apply to commercial acquisitions.
d. do not apply to contracts and subcontracts for commercial acquisition unless the contract provides for an economic price adjustment based on actual costs incurred.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 12.214
d. do not apply to contracts and subcontracts for commercial acquisition unless the contract provides for an economic price adjustment based on actual costs incurred.
- When acquiring commercial items, the contracting officer
a. is not required to establish price reasonableness.
b. can accept the commercial standard for price reasonableness.
c. must establish price reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3, 14.408-2, or subpart 15.4, as applicable.
d. must establish price reasonableness in accordance with commercial practices.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 12.209
c. 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
a. a blanket purchase agreement.
b. long lead funding.
c. bulk funding.
d. a charge account.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.101(b)(4)
c. bulk funding.
- When considering a simplified acquisition, which database should contracting officers use as their primary source of vendor information?
a. Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)
b. Mechanization of Contract Administration
Services (MOCAS)
c. System for Award Management (SAM)
d. Standard Procurement System (SPS)
ANSWER:_
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.102
c. System for Award Management (SAM)
- 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 those purchases are
a. above the micro-purchase threshold.
b. above the simplified acquisition threshold.
c. above the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data statute (Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA)) threshold.
d. Only from a small business.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.201(h)
a. 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
a. is permitted with the concurrence of the head
of the contracting authority.
b. can be appealed by any small business pursuant to FAR 19.4.
c. is not subject to review under FAR 19.4.
d. must be documented to show that adequate competition exists.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.003(b)(3)
c. 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 the price is reasonable.
c. like purchases have previously been made from the same vendor.
d. the purchase is to be used for contingency operations or defense against or recovery from attacks.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.203(a)(2)
b. the contracting officer determines that the 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 cashier for disbursement as needed from time to time in making payment in cash for relatively small purchases is a/an
a. nonappropriated fund.
b. general fund.
c. imprest fund.
d. administrative commitment document.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.001
c. imprest fund.
- Imprest funds may be used for transactions up to
a. $25,000
b. $10,000
с. 1,000
d. $500
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.305-3(a)
d. $500
- It is advantageous to establish blanket purchase agreements with firms who
a. have past performance records that show them to be unreliable.
b. bid only on purchases over the simplified acquisition threshold.
c. have provided few purchases at or below the simplified acquisition threshold.
d. offer quality supplies or services at consistently lower prices than their competitors.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.303-2(b)(2)
d. offer quality supplies or services at consistently lower prices than their competitors.
- Which of the following is true concerning the use of simplified acquisition procedures?
a. Purchases above the micro-purchase level are generally set-aside for small business.
b. They can be used in the acquisition of commercial items without any limits.
c. They cannot be employed when the governmentwide commercial purchase card is used.
d. There is no requirement for competition.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.003(b)(1)
a. Purchases above the micro-purchase level are generally set-aside for small business.
- Which of the following is true concerning blanket purchase agreements (BPAs)?
a. A purchase requisition is required to establish one.
b. Use of a BPA exempts an agency from the responsibility of keeping obligations and
expenditures within available funds.
c. They may be established with more than one supplier.
d. They may be established even if there is an existing requirements contract for the same supply or service.
ANSWER: _
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.303-2(c)(1)
c. They may be established with more than one supplier.
- When fast payment procedures are utilized, who is responsible for determining the amount of debts resulting from failure of contractors to properly replace, repair, or correct supplies lost, damaged, or not conforming to purchase requirements?
a. Program manager
b. Contracting officer
c. Head of the contracting activity
d. Accounting and finance officer
b. Contracting officer
- When cancelling a purchase order, if the contractor accepts the cancellation and does not claim that costs were incurred as a result of beginning performance under the purchase order, then
a. no further action is required and the purchase order shall be considered canceled.
b. the contractor receives a cancellation fee equal to 10 percent of the original purchase order price.
c. the contracting officer shall process the termination action.
d. the contractor is entitled to receive the automatic award of any purchase order for the same item or service generated within 90 days of the cancellation.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.302-4(b)(1)
a. no further action is required and the purchase order shall be considered canceled.
- Unpriced purchase orders may be used to acquire
a. repairs to equipment requiring disassembly to determine the nature and extent of repairs.
b. commercial or nondevelopmental items.
c. urgently needed supplies available through multiple sources.
d. routine items for stock.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.302-2(b)(2)
a. repairs to equipment requiring disassembly to determine the nature and extent of repairs.
- Which of the following about micro-purchases is true?
a. They may not be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations.
b. Only a contracting officer may award them.
c. The governmentwide commercial purchase card is the preferred means to purchase and pay for them.
d. The requirements in FAR part 8 do not apply to them.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.201(b), (c), (e); 13.203 (a)(2)
c. The governmentwide commercial purchase card is the preferred means to purchase and pay for them.
- Which of the following is true about quotations?
a. A quotation is not an offer.
b. Solicitation of verbal quotations under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold is discouraged.
c. Restriction of solicitation to suppliers of well-known and widely distributed makes or brands is preferred.
d. Standing price quotations may not be used.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 13.004; 13.106-1(c); 13.104(a)
(2); 13.103
a. A quotation is not an offer.
- Which of the following concerning descriptive literature is true?
a. Contracting officers must require bidders to submit descriptive literature.
b. The contracting officer may waive the requirement for descriptive literature.
c. Descriptive literature is the same as a bid sampled.
d. Unsolicited descriptive literature shall always be disregarded.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 14.202-4, -5(a), (d), (e)
b. The contracting officer may waive the requirement 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.
b. Faxed bids are always accepted.
- A prebid conference is never to be used for
a. answering industry’s questions.
b. substituting an amendment for an ambiguous invitation.
c. explaining requirements.
d. conducting market research.
ANSWER:
SOURCE(S): FAR 14.207
b. substituting an amendment for an ambiguous invitation.
- The first step of two-step bidding involves
a. price analysis only.
b. technical analysis only.
c. price and technical analysis.
d. historical analysis.
b. technical analysis only.
- What is acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the government installation?
a. A U.S. Post Office proof of mailing receipt
b. Other documentary evidence maintained by the contractor
c. Verbal testimony or statements by the bidder’s personnel
d. Time/date stamp of that installation on the bid wrapper
d. Time/date stamp of that installation on the bid wrapper