Contracting Test 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Different Types of Brainstorming

A

Structured brainstorming
Free-form brainstorming
Silent-brainstorming

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2
Q

What are the 6 basic problems/decision making steps

A
Define the Problem: 
Analyze Potential Causes
Identify Possible Solutions: 
Analyze and compare alternatives 
Select an alternative(s)
Implement the selected alternative(s) and Evaluate Progress
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3
Q

What conclusion does problem solving help you develop

A

Best fit solution

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4
Q

Which is the most important step?

A

Properly defining the problem

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5
Q

Group activity that generates ideas without risk

A

Brainstorming
-Produces a “shopping list” of ideas
Analysis not included
Goal is to Generate Ideas

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6
Q

Structured Brainstorming

A

Solicit one idea from each person in sequence
Participants may say “pass”
A complete round of passes ends the session
Advantage of structured brainstorming:
Equal participation, regardless of rank or personality
Disadvantage of structured brainstorming
-Lacks spontaneity and can be rigid

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7
Q

Free-Form Brainstorming

A

Participants contribute ideas as they come to mind
Advantages:
Participants build on each other’s ideas
Relaxed atmosphere
Disadvantages of free-form brainstorming
Less assertive (lower ranking participants may not contribute)
Ideal approach could be combining structured and free-form
Begin with structured brainstorming and finish with unstructured brainstorming

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8
Q

Silent Brainstorming

A
Sticky notes
Post papers for viewing
Advantages 
Prevents disruptive analysis
More open if anonymous
Disadvantages
Group loses synergy that comes from open session
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9
Q

What are the three types of solicitations?

A
  1. Request for Quotation – Simplified Acquisition Procedures - FAR Part 13
  2. Invitation for Bid – Sealed
  3. Bidding – FAR Part 14
    Request for Proposal – Negotiation – FAR Part 15
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10
Q

Which type of contract requires a vendor to give their “best effort”?

A

Cost Reimbursement

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11
Q

Contracting by negotiation is authorized at any dollar amount when discussions are necessary
True or False

A

True

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12
Q

When is a Blanket Purchasing Agreement (BPA) appropriate?

A

Repetitive needs for supplies or services when specific items, quantities, and prices are not known but a substantial number are anticipated (BOA over SAT)

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13
Q

What are the two most common types of best Value evaluations?

A

Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)
-Award is made to lowest priced acceptable offeror
Government has decided lowest price is the best value

Tradeoff
-Award may be made to any acceptable offeror based on integrated assessment of all evaluation factors in addition to cost/price

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14
Q

What does Best Value mean?

A

Any competitive negotiated acquisition having a basis for award stating that factors in addition to cost/price will be considered in selecting the successful offeror(s)

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15
Q

FAR Part 14

A

Sealed Bidding

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16
Q

Type of contract where the Contractor is required to deliver the product or perform the service at agree-to price

A

Firm fixed Price Contract
Contract represents full payment for the work – Contractor exceeds at own risk
Loss of profit

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17
Q

Type of contract where contractor is required to deliver “best effort”

A

Cost Reimbursement
Reasonable, allowable and allocable costs will be reimbursed
Contract amount represents an estimate of total cost
Cannot be exceeded without KO’s approval

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18
Q

Streamlined method of acquiring supplies and services (including construction, research & development and commercial items

A

SAP

Generally limited to acquisitions under $150,000, except for certain contingency operations where the dollar threshold may be higher

Cannot split requirements to stay under dollar thresholds

Exceptions—Required sources (Federal Prison Industry or Ability One personnel) or existing contracts

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19
Q

Micro-purchases

A

$5,000 for supplies and services

$2,000 construction

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20
Q

Actions above the micro-purchase threshold up to SAT

A

Purchase Order

Specify the quantity of supplies or scope of services ordered

Contain date and place of delivery

Set aside for small businesses.

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21
Q

A document, sent to prospective contractors by a Government agency, requesting the submission of offers or information

A

Solicitation

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22
Q

Streamlined method of acquiring supplies and services (including construction, research & development and commercial items

A

SAP

Generally limited to acquisitions under $150,000, except for certain contingency operations where the dollar threshold may be higher

Cannot split requirements to stay under dollar thresholds

Exceptions—Required sources (Federal Prison Industry or Ability One personnel) or existing contracts

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23
Q

Micro-purchases

A

$5,000 for supplies and services

$2,000 construction

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24
Q

Actions above the micro-purchase threshold up to SAT

A

Purchase Order

Specify the quantity of supplies or scope of services ordered

Contain date and place of delivery

Set aside for small businesses.

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25
Q

Multi-purpose pocket size purchase order form

A

SF44 Purchase Order Invoice-Voucher

Primarily for on-the-spot, over-the-counter purchases of supplies and non-personal services while away from the purchasing office or at isolated activities

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26
Q

Preferred method for Solicitation

A

Sealed Bidding (FAR part 14)

Must be used for construction
Used for easily definable requirements
No discussions with bidders
Government MUST award to lowest responsible bidder
Contract must be fixed price
Government expects to receive more than one bid
Sufficient time for bidders to prepare bids

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27
Q

Discussions with offerors permitted

A

Negotiations (FAR part 15)

Award can be made based on factors other than price
Contract may be fixed price or cost reimbursement
Used when sealed bidding is not practical
May be used for sole source or competitive actions
Offeror allowed to revise proposal as a result of discussions
Source Selection Boards

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28
Q

Posting threshold >$5K up to SAT (Purchase Order)

A

5-15K - Advertise Locally
15-25K - Public Display
>25K - Advertised on FedBizOpps

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29
Q

What type of contract must be awarded for a

commercial item?

A

FFP

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30
Q

How long do you have to definitize a letter

contract

A

180 Days

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31
Q

What are some of the factors to consider when

selecting a contract type?

A

Price competition
Price analysis
Cost analysis
Type and complexity of requirement
Urgency of requirement
Period of performance or length of production run
Contractor’s technical capability and financial responsibility
Adequacy of contractor’s accounting system
Concurrent contracts
Extent and nature of proposed subcontract
Acquisition history

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32
Q

What document must be completed prior to

awarding a Time and Materials contract?

A

KO must complete a Determination and Findings

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33
Q

Which FAR part concerns Contract Types?

A

FAR Part 16

a wide selection of contract types are available to the Government and contractors to provide flexibility in acquiring the large variety and volume of supplies and services

34
Q

What types of contracts are used for Sealed Bid contracts?

A

Sealed bid contracts shall be firm-fixed price or fixed-price economic price adjustment

35
Q

4 types of FFP Contracts?

A

Firm fixed price (FFP)
Fixed price with economic price adjustment (FP EPA)
Firm fixed price, level of effort term (FFP LOE)
Fixed price incentive fee (FPIF)

36
Q

FFP Economic Adjustment

A

Provides for upward and downward revision of the stated contract price upon the occurrence of specified contingencies

37
Q

Fixed Price Incentive Fee Contract

A

Incentivizes the KTR to reduce costs

38
Q

Cost Reimbursement Contracts

A

Government reimburses allowable and allocable incurred costs, to the extent prescribed in the contract

Used only when performance involves such uncertainties that costs can’t be estimated

Cost reimbursement contracts are covered in FAR 16.3
FAR 31.201-2: Defines allowable costs
FAR 31.201-4: Defines allocation of costs

39
Q

Time and Materials Contracts

A

T&M contracts provide for acquiring supplies or services on the basis of –
Direct labor hours at specified fixed hourly rates that include wages, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit; and
Actual cost for materials

40
Q

What are the three types of indefinite delivery contracts?

A

Definite Quantity
Indefinite Quantity
Requirements

41
Q

What is an option?

A

Unilateral Right

42
Q

When can an option be exercised?

A

Funds are available
Option fulfills an existing need
Option is the most advantageous method of fulfilling the need
Option was synopsized IAW FAR Part 5
Determination and Findings
* Supply/Service contracts will not exceed 5 years (Base year plus 4 option years)

43
Q

What requirements must be fulfilled to exercise an option?

A

The contracting officer shall justify in writing — (D&F)
Quantities or terms of option
Period for exercising option
Any limitation on option price
Statement that option is in Government’s best interest
Statement about the likelihood of future option(s) being exercised

44
Q

Multiyear contract

A

Multi-year contract” means a contract for the purchase of supplies or services for more than 1, but not more than 5, program years

45
Q

Indefinite Delivery Contracts

A

Under certain conditions the Government may not be able to specify its required delivery and/or quantity or may not have sufficient funds for obligation of the entire needed quantity at that time

46
Q

Indefinite delivery Indefinite quantity

A

An IDIQ contract provides for the procurement of an indefinite quantity of supplies and/or services
Throughout a specified period of performance
Allowing a customer to place Task/Delivery Orders for individual requirements
FAR requires the customer to order and the seller to furnish a Guaranteed Minimum Amount
This amount may be stated as number of units or a dollar value
Contains Maximum or “Ceiling Price” limiting total value of the contract
The sum total of all orders cannot exceed the stated maximum
Example: $100K minimum & $100M Maximum/Ceiling

47
Q

Indefinite delivery Indefinite quantity

A

An IDIQ contract provides for the procurement of an indefinite quantity of supplies and/or services
Throughout a specified period of performance
Allowing a customer to place Task/Delivery Orders for individual requirements
FAR requires the customer to order and the seller to furnish a Guaranteed Minimum Amount
This amount may be stated as number of units or a dollar value
Contains Maximum or “Ceiling Price” limiting total value of the contract
The sum total of all orders cannot exceed the stated maximum
Example: $100K minimum & $100M Maximum/Ceiling

48
Q

Task Order

A

Services under IDIQ

49
Q

CLIN

A

contract line item number

Specifies products or services being procured

50
Q

Sub-lines

A

Describe the CLIN; can be priced or informational. Either the CLIN or the Sub-line is priced, not both.

51
Q

Performance Based Work Statements are the preferred method of describing agency requirements?
True or False

A

True

52
Q

What is a commercial item?

A

Item that has been or will be sold to the general public; may required minor government directed modifications

53
Q

What is a D&F?

A

Determination and Findings- Rationale for business decisions made concerning the acquisition

Two parts:
1. Facts that lead to the decision, or findings

  1. Actual decision, or determination
54
Q

When is a J&A required?

A

Justification and Approval -

Sole Source Requirement

55
Q

Which FAR part concerns describing agency needs?

A

FAR part 11

56
Q

Who creates a Purchase/Procurement Request (PR)

A

The customer

57
Q

What does a PR Contain?

A
A description of what is to be acquired
Fund citation
Required delivery dates
Delivery or performance location
Requiring activity point of contact
58
Q

5 types of requirement documents that support a PR

A
Commercial Item Descriptions (CID)
Performance Work Statement
Specifications
 Gov't Standard
Industry Standard
59
Q

Commercial Item Description

A
  1. Simplified product descriptions that describe commercial items that are available to meet the Government’s needs
  2. CIDs are normally used for commercial items that are purchased on a repetitive basis
60
Q

Statement of Work (SOW)

A

SOWs are detailed descriptions telling the contractor what to do and how to do it.

61
Q

Performance Work Statement/Statement of Objectives

A

Documents that describe a performance outcome rather than how to achieve that outcome

62
Q

Specifications

A

Specifications describe a technical requirement for a material or product that includes the criteria for determining whether these requirements are met. There are three types of specs:

a. Design specifications
b. Functional specifications
c. Performance specification

63
Q

Gov’t Standard

A

A standard provides established measures of quality, or requirements for materials, engineering practices, performance, design or operation

64
Q

Industry Standard

A

Industry Standards are established by a private sector to promote commonality and establishes common requirements that products may adhere to

65
Q

PR document order of precedence

A

Documents mandated by law
Performance-oriented (PWS or SOO) documents
Detailed design-oriented documents
Standards, specifications and related publications

66
Q

When does the Service contract act of 1965 apply?

A

Contract exceeds $2,500
Service contract
Performance by other than executive, admin or professional employees
Performed in the United States

67
Q

When must a performance eval be completed?

A

For all contracts over $700,000 and for any construction contract, regardless of value, if terminated for default. FAR 42.1502(e)

68
Q

What law requires the purchase of US product over foreign manufacture?

A

Buy American Act

Exceptions:
Are for use outside the US
Unreasonable cost
Domestic preference inconsistent with public interest
Are not mined, produced or manufactured in the US in sufficient quantities
Purchased specifically for commissary resale

69
Q

What law states the DoD must buy textiles, fibers, yarns, fabrics or materials grown, reprocessed, reused or produced in the US

A

Berry Amendment

Exceptions:
Acquisitions at or below the SAT
Acquisitions purchased outside the US in support of combat operations

70
Q

What is a Synopsis?

A

a “snapshot” of the requirement that the government is trying to fulfill

71
Q

What are the exceptions to publicizing?

A

FAR 5.202
Synopsis cannot be worded to preclude disclosure of an agency’s needs and disclosure would compromise national security
Unusual and compelling urgency
Foreign Military Sales (if source directed)
Required by statute

72
Q

What are the response times for commercial items and R&D?

A

30 days response time, KO may reduce time; must be reasonable

45 days R&D that exceeds SAT

73
Q

Which FAR par concerns Publicizing Contract Actions

A

FAR Part 5

74
Q

When Is Publicizing Required?

A

FAR 5.101(a)(2) Proposed contract actions expected to exceed $15,000, but not expected to exceed $25,000—by displaying in a public place, or by any appropriate electronic means for 10 days.

FAR 5.101(a)(1) Proposed contract actions expected to exceed $25,000—synopsize in GPE (Government-wide Point of Entry)

75
Q

If a synopsis is published, how long after is the solicitation published

A

At least 15 days prior to solicitation or proposed contract action

Shorter period as established by Contracting Officer for commercial items

76
Q

If a synopsis is published, how long after is the solicitation published?

A

At least 15 days prior to solicitation or proposed contract action

Shorter period as established by Contracting Officer for commercial items

77
Q

Where do you post a synopsis?

A

GPE - FedBizOps

78
Q

What information is included in a Synopsis?

A
Description of action
Quantity
Place of performance
Competition requirement
Date the solicitation will be published
79
Q

What kind of contract for sealed bidding?

A

Firm Fixed

80
Q

Which far part concerns Special Contracting Methods

A

FAR part 17