Items discussed in test review

Question 1

What does the Anti-Deficiency Act prohibit?

Answer 1

Never exceed the amount listed on the purchase request when you award a contract

Question 2

What does the Misappropriation Act Prohibit?

Answer 2

Using the wrong “color” of money ie using R&D funds on Procurement

Question 3

What is a commercial item?

Answer 3

Any item, other than real property, that is of a type customarily used by the general public or by non-governmental entities for purposes other than governmental purposes, and has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or, has been offered for sale, lease or license to the general public, additional specs for commercial items in FAR Part 10

Question 4

What is a government unique item?

Answer 4

• Begin with Research and Development and very costly and long-lead time
• Examples: Armament, Nuclear submarines, Fighter aircraft, Missiles ,Helicopters

Question 5

What is a modified commercial item?

Answer 5

A commercial item that is specially modified for the government’s use. The product is considered commercial if it retains 50% of its original functionality

Question 6

What is a Non-developmental item?

Answer 6

An item that was developed expressly for government use, as long as the contractor paid for all of the developmental costs, and the item is sold in substantial quantities, on a competitive basis, to multiple government offices (State and Federal)

Question 7

What are MACs and GWACs?

Answer 7

o Multi-agency contracts (MACs): Are Task Order or Delivery Order contracts established by one Agency for use by Government Agencies to obtain a variety of supplies and services. The Economy Act (FAR 17.5>) applies to orders placed under MACs, with the exception of MACs for information technology established pursuant to the Clinger-Cohen Act

o Government –wide acquisition contracts (GWACS):are Task Order or Delivery Order contracts for information technology established by one Agency for Government wide use. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), pursuant to section 5112(e) of the Information Technology Management Reform Act (ITMRA) and better known as the Clinger-Cohen Act, designates an Executive Agent to operate each GWAC. The Economy Act does not apply when placing orders under GWACs.

Question 8

What is the Economy Act?

Answer 8

A. The Economy Act gives us the authority to use another organization to obtain the supplies or services that we need
B. Special approval must be given to use the Economy Act
C. **Economy Act does not apply to GSA buys or Government Wide Agency Contracts

Question 9

What FAR Part covers Small Business Programs?

Answer 9

FAR Part 19

Question 10

What is the government’s small business policy?

Answer 10

“….provide maximum practicable opportunities in [Government] acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns.”

Question 11

What is the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA)?

Answer 11

Established requirement to use “competitive procedures” in acquiring supplies/services

Question 12

What are the 7 Statutory Exceptions to Full and Open Competition?

Answer 12

• 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements
• 6.302-2 - Unusual and compelling urgency
• 6.303-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services
• 6.302-4 – International Agreement
• 6.302-5 – Authorized or required by statute
• 6.302-6 – National security
• 6.302-7 – Public Interest

Question 13

Contracting officers shall not enter into sole source negotiations (other than full and open competition ) without a _________

Answer 13

Justification and Approval (J&A)

Question 14

What does a J&A contain?

Answer 14

A. Exception authority cited for recommending a Sole Source
B. Sufficient justification for the authority cited
C. Agency identification
D. Description of the supply/service
E. Statutory requirement
F. Market research
G. Any facts supporting sole-source

Question 15

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

Answer 15

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

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

Question 16

What does Best Value mean?

Answer 16

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)

Question 17

What is a determination and findings?

Answer 17

An MFR explaining a decision a KO made concerning an acquisition. In the memo the KO will explain their rational and provide all relevant information they used to arrive at their decision. D&Fs are commonly required in the following instances :
• Other than full and open competition (i.e. sole source)
• Options, Modifications,
• Contract Type (i.e. Time and Material)

Question 18

What document must be completed prior to awarding a Time and Materials contract?

Answer 18

The KO must complete a Determination and Findings (D&F)

Question 19

What requirements must be fulfilled to exercise an option?

Answer 19

1. Funds are available
2. Option fulfills an existing need
3. Option is the most advantageous method of fulfilling the need
4. Option was synopsized IAW FAR Part 5
5. Determination and Findings

Question 20

How long can a Supply/Service contract last?

Answer 20

Will not exceed 5 years (Base year plus 4 option years)

Question 21

What is a multiyear contract?

Answer 21

Multiyear contract” means a contract for the purchase of supplies or services for more than 1, but not more than 5, program years and requires congressional approval in the president’s budget and has a cancellation ceiling.

Question 22

What is a multiple year contract?

Answer 22

• Not the same as Multi-year contracts
• May be IDIQ contracts or contracts with annual options
• Does NOT require Congressional Approval
• Not to exceed 5 years

Question 23

What is a Synopsis?

Answer 23

Snapshot of requirement

Question 24

How long must a synopsis be posted before it can be solicited?

Answer 24

15 days

Question 25

What are the exceptions to publicizing a synopisis?

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

How long must a solicitation be posted for commercial items and R & D?

Answer 26

30,45 days

Question 27

What is a solicitation?

Answer 27

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