CFCM Contract Administration & Performance Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FAR 52.249-8, what is the contractor's obligation when the government issues a cure notice for a default?
- File a protest with the GAO within 10 days
- Cure the failure within 10 days or show cause why the contract should not be terminated (Correct answer)
- Request an equitable adjustment within 30 days
- Suspend performance until the dispute is resolved
Correct answer: Cure the failure within 10 days or show cause why the contract should not be terminated
FAR 52.249-8 requires the contractor to cure the failure within 10 days of a cure notice or provide written explanation why termination is not warranted.
Question 2: Which document formally authorizes a contractor to proceed with work beyond the original contract scope before a formal modification is executed?
- Contracting Officer's Final Decision
- Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA)
- Bilateral modification (SF 30)
- Letter contract or letter of intent (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Letter contract or letter of intent
A letter contract (undefinitized contract action) authorizes the contractor to begin performance before all contract terms are finalized.
Question 3: A contractor submits a Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) due to a government-caused delay. Which FAR clause is the primary basis for this claim?
- FAR 52.243-1 Changes — Fixed-Price (Correct answer)
- FAR 52.215-2 Audit and Records
- FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity
- FAR 52.232-1 Payments
Correct answer: FAR 52.243-1 Changes — Fixed-Price
FAR 52.243-1 (Changes — Fixed-Price) grants the contractor the right to an equitable adjustment when directed changes increase cost or time.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluation?
- To determine contractor eligibility for small business set-asides
- To provide a record of contractor performance for use in future source selections (Correct answer)
- To calculate final payment amounts at contract closeout
- To document subcontractor utilization compliance
Correct answer: To provide a record of contractor performance for use in future source selections
CPARS evaluations create a permanent record of past performance that contracting officers use when assessing offerors in future competitions.
Question 5: Under the Contract Disputes Act, what is the deadline for a contractor to appeal a Contracting Officer's Final Decision (COFD) to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA)?
- 30 days from receipt of the COFD
- 60 days from receipt of the COFD
- 90 days from receipt of the COFD (Correct answer)
- 1 year from receipt of the COFD
Correct answer: 90 days from receipt of the COFD
The Contract Disputes Act allows 90 days from receipt of the COFD to appeal to the appropriate Board of Contract Appeals.
Question 6: Which type of contract modification requires the signatures of both the contracting officer and the contractor?
- Unilateral modification
- Administrative change
- Bilateral modification (Correct answer)
- Change order
Correct answer: Bilateral modification
Bilateral modifications (supplemental agreements) require mutual agreement and signatures from both parties to be binding.
Question 7: A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) observes the contractor performing work that was not authorized. What is the COR's appropriate first action?
- Issue a stop-work order immediately
- Notify the contracting officer of the unauthorized work (Correct answer)
- Direct the contractor to halt and submit a proposal
- Approve the work if it benefits the government
Correct answer: Notify the contracting officer of the unauthorized work
CORs lack contracting authority and must report unauthorized work to the contracting officer, who has authority to take action.
CFCM Contract Administration & Performance Management 2
Under FAR 52.249-8, what is the contractor's obligation when the government issues a cure notice for a default?