COR Communication & Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A contractor's employee gives a COR a gift card worth $15 as a token of appreciation after a project milestone. What should the COR do?
- Accept it since it is under the $20 threshold
- Decline it because any gift from a contractor creates an appearance of conflict
- Report it to the contracting officer and return it (Correct answer)
- Accept it but document the receipt in the contract file
Correct answer: Report it to the contracting officer and return it
CORs must report gifts from contractors to the contracting officer and return them to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
Question 2: When a COR discovers a potential conflict of interest involving themselves and a current contract, what is the FIRST action they should take?
- Recuse themselves immediately and stop all contract-related actions
- Disclose the conflict to the contracting officer immediately (Correct answer)
- Complete any urgent actions then report
- Seek legal counsel before notifying anyone
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict to the contracting officer immediately
Immediate disclosure to the contracting officer is the first required step when a COR identifies a potential conflict of interest.
Question 3: Which communication channel is MOST appropriate for a COR to use when issuing technical direction to a contractor?
- Verbal instructions followed by an email recap
- Written direction through the contracting officer (Correct answer)
- A formal letter signed by the COR only
- Text messages for minor direction to reduce paperwork
Correct answer: Written direction through the contracting officer
Technical direction that could affect contract scope, cost, or schedule must flow through the contracting officer, not unilaterally from the COR.
Question 4: A contractor informally tells the COR that a required deliverable will be two weeks late. What should the COR do?
- Grant a verbal extension since it is a minor delay
- Document the information and notify the contracting officer (Correct answer)
- Tell the contractor to submit a formal request directly to the CO
- Update the contract schedule in the government system
Correct answer: Document the information and notify the contracting officer
The COR must document contractor communications and notify the CO, who has authority to grant or deny extensions.
Question 5: Under the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, a COR may NOT use their public position to:
- Sign inspection reports on behalf of the government
- Endorse a contractor's product in a government newsletter (Correct answer)
- Communicate performance concerns to the contractor's project manager
- Review contractor invoices for accuracy
Correct answer: Endorse a contractor's product in a government newsletter
Using a government position to endorse or promote a private company's products or services violates federal ethics rules.
Question 6: A COR receives an email from a contractor that contains proprietary pricing data not required by the contract. The COR should:
- Forward it to procurement for competitive analysis
- Store it in the contract file for reference
- Notify the contractor of the inadvertent disclosure and protect or return the data (Correct answer)
- Delete it and take no further action
Correct answer: Notify the contractor of the inadvertent disclosure and protect or return the data
Accidental receipt of proprietary contractor data requires the COR to notify the contractor and protect or return the information per procurement integrity rules.
Question 7: Which statement BEST describes the COR's role in contractor performance communications?
- The COR may promise future contract awards to motivate contractor performance
- The COR is the primary point of contact for day-to-day technical issues but cannot commit to contract changes (Correct answer)
- The COR can negotiate contract terms directly with the contractor to resolve disputes
- The COR may discuss pricing adjustments informally to avoid formal delays
Correct answer: The COR is the primary point of contact for day-to-day technical issues but cannot commit to contract changes
CORs manage day-to-day technical oversight but must refer any matter affecting contract terms, price, or schedule to the contracting officer.
COR Communication & Ethics 2
A contractor's employee gives a COR a gift card worth $15 as a token of appreciation after a project milestone.
What should the COR do?