CON3910 Practice Test 3

Question 1

It is the Government’s pricing policy to purchase supplies and services at fair and reasonable prices from:
-Responsive sources
-Responsible sources
-Sources that offer the lowest possible price
-The smallest set of sources

Answer 1

Responsible sources

Question 2

What are the two types of negotiated acquisitions?
-Sole source and competitive
-Sole source and single source
-Source selection and competitive
-Single source and face-to-face

Answer 2

Sole source and competitive

Question 3

What is the objective of a source selection?
-To select the proposal with the lowest price
-To select the proposal with advancements in technology
-To select the proposal that represents the best value
-To select the proposal with the fewest rewrites

Answer 3

To select the proposal that represents the best value

Question 4

Which contract type shifts cost risk from the Government to the contractor?
-Labor-hour
-Fixed-price
-Time-and-materials
-Cost-reimbursement

Answer 4

Fixed-price

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the purpose of proposal analysis?
-To ensure the price is fair and reasonable
-To validate the Government requirement is met
-To determine if the proposal follows commercial practices
-To evaluate the specifications of the product or service

Answer 5

To ensure the price is fair and reasonable

Question 6

Which type of solicitation may require the submission of certified cost or pricing data?
-Micropurchase request
-Invitation for bids
-Request for quotations
-Request for proposals

Answer 6

Request for proposals

Question 7

A contracting officer has the broadest discretion in fashioning suitable evaluation procedures when considering:
-Proposals
-Bids
-Unsolicited proposals
-Quotations

Answer 7

Quotations

Question 8

Which acquisition situation would warrant an exception to the requirement for certified cost or pricing data?
-Sole source award
-Commercial item acquisition
-Major weapon system acquisition
-Small business award

Answer 8

Commercial item acquisition

Question 9

A proposal submission time and date of 2 p.m. on February 3, 2020, appeared on the cover page of a Government solicitation. Based on the information provided at FAR 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisitions, which of the following proposals is late?
-The contractor provided its proposal at 2:15 p.m. on February 3, 2020.
-The contractor provided its proposal on January 25, 2020.
-The contractor sent a proposal electronically at 1:30 p.m. on February 2, 2020; however, the Government did not receive the proposal until February 4, 2020, due to the Government server being down for repairs. The contractor had proof of the server failure.
-The contractor physically delivered their proposal at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, due to the fact that at 1 p.m. on February 3, there was a bomb scare that shut down the Government contracts office for the remainder of the day precluding physical delivery of their proposal.

Answer 9

The contractor provided its proposal at 2:15 p.m. on February 3, 2020.

Question 10

When a contractor submits a Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing data, it is certifying that:
-All contractor data “sweeps” have been accomplished.
-Negotiations have been completed, and the parties have come to agreement.
-The data submitted in support of a negotiations are current, accurate, and complete.
-The data it submitted to support negotiations has been properly notarized.

Answer 10

The data submitted in support of a negotiations are current, accurate, and complete.

Question 11

Which of the following are limited exchanges between the Government and offerors that may occur when award without discussions is contemplated?
-Negotiations
-Discussions
-Clarifications
-Communications

Answer 11

Clarifications

Question 12

Negotiating positions should be developed through which of the following?
-Price or cost analysis
-The independent Government cost estimate (IGCE)
-Always using a should cost analysis
-Solely on the price analyst’s judgment

Answer 12

Price or cost analysis

Question 13

Which of the following documents would the contracting officer use to document the purpose, description, and outcome of negotiations?
-Price Negotiation Memorandum
-Standard Form 1409, Abstract of Offers
-Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data
-Standard Form 30, Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract

Answer 13

Price Negotiation Memorandum

Question 14

Where in the FAR is contracting by negotiation covered?
-FAR part 12
-FAR part 13
-FAR part 14
-FAR part 15

Answer 14

FAR part 15

Question 15

During discussions, the contracting officer:
-Should discuss aspects of an offeror’s proposal if alterations or explanations would enhance the proposal’s potential for award
-Must pursue obtaining what is best for the Government value irrespective of the evaluation factors set forth in the solicitation
-May not negotiate with offerors for increased performance beyond mandatory minimums
-May favor one offeror over another during discussions

Answer 15

Should discuss aspects of an offeror’s proposal if alterations or explanations would enhance the proposal’s potential for award

Question 16

Prenegotiation objectives:
-Document the elements of the negotiated agreement
-Establish the Government’s initial negotiation position
-Establish the Government’s final negotiation position
-Are unnecessary if submission of certified cost of pricing data is required

Answer 16

Establish the Government’s initial negotiation position

Question 17

The competitive range for competitive negotiations must be established:
-After receipt of proposal revisions
-When clarifications are complete
-Before initiating communications
-Prior to entering into discussions

Answer 17

Prior to entering into discussions

Question 18

In the FAR, the term “discussions” is synonymous with which of the following?
-Banter
-Exchanges
-Fact-findings
-Negotiations

Answer 18

Negotiations

Question 19

In a competitive source selection, does the FAR require you to have the exact same “discussions” with each offeror in the competitive range?
-No, you are only required to hold discussions with those that have an opportunity to improve their proposals.
-No, discussions are tailored to each offeror’s proposal.
-Yes, you must be consistent and ask the exact same question to each offeror.
-Yes, unless the action is a competitive 8(a).

Answer 19

No, discussions are tailored to each offeror’s proposal.

Question 20

When holding discussions with offerors in a source selection, all the following must be discussed EXCEPT:
-Adverse past performance information to which the offeror has not yet had an opportunity to respond
-Deficiencies
-Price
-Significant weaknesses

Answer 20

Price

Question 21

Select the order for the proposal evaluation process.
-Award the contract, evaluate initial proposals, determine the competitive range, negotiate, request final proposal revisions
-Determine the competitive range, evaluate initial proposals, negotiate, request final proposal revisions, award the contract
-Evaluate initial proposals, negotiate, determine the competitive range, request final proposal revisions, award the contract
-Evaluate initial proposals, determine the competitive range, negotiate, request final proposal revisions, award the contract

Answer 21

Evaluate initial proposals, determine the competitive range, negotiate, request final proposal revisions, award the contract

Question 22

Select the action performed early in the acquisition cycle versus at or near contract award.
-The acquisition plan is drafted and approved according to agency policy.
-The source selection decision is written.
-The unsuccessful offer notification is given.
-The postaward debriefings are conducted.

Answer 22

The acquisition plan is drafted and approved according to agency policy.

Question 23

Acme Company did not make the competitive range in a source selection. When the contracting officer asks for final proposal revisions, the contracting officer:
-Will not contact Acme Company since it is no longer in the competition
-Will contact Acme Company since it can still submit a final proposal revision
-Has the option to either contact Acme Company and request a final proposal revision or not contact Acme Company
-Must advise Acme Company that it may not submit a final proposal revision

Answer 23

Will not contact Acme Company since it is no longer in the competition

Question 24

Which of the following is correct regarding use of the tradeoff source selection process?
-The contracting officer must select the lowest priced proposal.
-Evaluation factors that will affect contract award must be stated in the solicitation.
-Exchanges between the Government and offerors are prohibited.
-The contracting officer must select the highest technically rated proposal.

Answer 24

Evaluation factors that will affect contract award must be stated in the solicitation.

Question 25

Which of the following is correct regarding the preaward debriefing of offerors excluded from the competitive range?
-The contracting officer must conduct a face-to-face debriefing session with the offeror.
-The offeror must request the debriefing by written request to the contracting officer within 10 days after receipt of the notice of exclusion from the competition.
-The offeror must request the debriefing by written request to the contracting officer within 3 days after receipt of the notice of exclusion from the competition.
-The Government’s legal counsel should chair the debriefing session.

Answer 25

The offeror must request the debriefing by written request to the contracting officer within 3 days after receipt of the notice of exclusion from the competition.

Question 26

The Government has a requirement for computer equipment. The program office indicates that its users will have no need for performance capabilities beyond the minimum technical specifications stated in the purchase request. Which source selection process would be most appropriate in this situation?
-Tradeoff
-Trading
-Lowest price technically acceptable
-Lowest cost technically acceptable

Answer 26

Lowest price technically acceptable

Question 27

What is the preferred method to make a purchase at or below the micro-purchase threshold?
-Governmentwide commercial purchase card
-Purchase order
-Blanket purchase agreement
-Standard Form 44 (SF 44)

Answer 27

Governmentwide commercial purchase card

Question 28

Josh, a Government contract specialist, received several offers on a request for proposal (RFP) that was set aside for a small business. In order to avoid unnecessary work, what should be the first thing Josh should ensure when he reviews each proposal?
-The pricing matrix is reasonable when compared to the Government estimate and other proposals.
-The proposal is from a small business.
-The offeror has addressed all of the evaluation factors listed in Section M.
-The offeror has included a bid bond in an amount sufficient to cover 20% of its offer price.

Answer 28

The proposal is from a small business.

Question 29

The Government team is ready to request final proposal revisions. As a result, we know that:
-Discussions have concluded
-The competitive range is to be determined next
-The final round of discussions is about to commence
-Discussions will commence next

Answer 29

Discussions have concluded

Question 30

Unless an exception exists, and in accordance with FAR part 15–Contracting by Negotiations, noncommercial contracts and solicitations will be awarded utilizing what contract format?
-The appropriate service (Army, Air Force, or Navy) format
-The major command’s contract format
-The format as designated by the head of the contracting activity (HCA) for the appropriate service
-The uniform contract format

Answer 30

The uniform contract format

Question 31

A protest can be filed for which of the following?
-Claim
-Bad performance rating
-Termination for default for failure to deliver
-Solicitation

Answer 31

Solicitation

Question 32

Of the following, which is an acceptable venue to file a protest?
-Small claims court
-The agency
-County court
-U.S. District Court of Protest, Claims and Appeals

Answer 32

The agency

Question 33

Contractors are required to certify that a claim is made in good faith when submitting any claim exceeding:
-$100,000
-$250,000
-$500,000
-$1,000,000

Answer 33

$100,000

Question 34

One of the proper protest venues is the:
-U.S. Court of Federal Claims
-U.S. Court of Appeals
-U.S. District Court
-Board of Contract Appeals

Answer 34

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Question 35

Upon notice that a protest has been filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), who must immediately begin compiling the information necessary for a report to the GAO?
-The agency legal advisor
-The program manager
-The head of the contracting activity
-The contracting officer

Answer 35

The contracting officer

Question 36

Which is an essential element of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?
-A voluntary election by both parties to participate in the ADR process
-A voluntary disclosure by both parties of their cost estimates to complete the remaining work
-Each side being represented by attorneys certified as Federal procurement specialists
-At least one side represented by an individual who has the authority to resolve the issue

Answer 36

A voluntary election by both parties to participate in the ADR process

Question 37

Two neighbors do not get along very well. One is a contracting officer, and the other works for an auto dealership, that has no contracts with the Government. The auto dealership employee decided to file a protest to a contract that was just awarded, knowing it would add extra work to the contracting officer’s day. Can the contracting officer’s neighbor file a protest as an interested party?
-Yes.
-Yes, if he is a resident of the United States and has not had a felony conviction.
-No.
-No, because only business owners can file a protest, and his neighbor is an employee, not a business owner.

Answer 37

No.

Question 38

Can a contractor file a protest at any time it chooses?
-Yes.
-No, it must protest within 152 days of contract award.
-No, it only has 2 days from contract award to file a protest.
-No, there are established timeframes within which a contractor must file its protest.

Answer 38

No, there are established timeframes within which a contractor must file its protest.

Question 39

What is the Government’s policy as it relates to controversies with a contractor during performance of the contract?
-Attempt to resolve conflict at the lowest possible level.
-Attempt to resolve conflict at the contracting officer’s level.
-Terminate the contract when the disagreements cannot be worked out.
-Ensure the contractor knows and understands its rights.

Answer 39

Attempt to resolve conflict at the contracting officer’s level.

Question 40

What FAR part covers protests?
-FAR part 31
-FAR part 32
-FAR part 33
-FAR part 34

Answer 40

FAR part 33