COR Contract Management Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document formally authorizes the COR to perform contract administration duties on behalf of the Contracting Officer?
- Statement of Work
- COR Designation Letter (Correct answer)
- Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan
- Performance Work Statement
Correct answer: COR Designation Letter
The COR Designation Letter (also called COR appointment letter) is the official document signed by the CO that delegates specific authority and responsibilities to the COR.
Question 2: A contractor submits an invoice for work not yet completed. What is the COR's appropriate action?
- Approve the invoice to maintain contractor goodwill
- Reject the invoice and notify the Contracting Officer (Correct answer)
- Partially approve based on estimated completion
- Forward the invoice to finance without comment
Correct answer: Reject the invoice and notify the Contracting Officer
The COR must reject invoices for work not performed and immediately notify the CO, as approving payment for undelivered work is improper.
Question 3: Under FAR Part 46, what is the primary purpose of a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)?
- To document contractor past performance ratings
- To outline how the government will monitor contractor performance (Correct answer)
- To define the contractor's internal quality control procedures
- To establish the contract payment schedule
Correct answer: To outline how the government will monitor contractor performance
A QASP describes the methods and frequency the government will use to assess whether the contractor is meeting contract requirements.
Question 4: Which type of contract places the greatest cost risk on the contractor?
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)
- Time-and-Materials (T&M)
- Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) (Correct answer)
- Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF)
Correct answer: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)
Under a Firm-Fixed-Price contract, the contractor bears all cost risk because the price does not change regardless of actual costs incurred.
Question 5: A contractor requests a change that would alter the scope of work. The COR should:
- Approve minor changes verbally to keep the project moving
- Direct the contractor to proceed and document it later
- Inform the contractor that only the CO can authorize scope changes (Correct answer)
- Assess the change and decide independently if it is within scope
Correct answer: Inform the contractor that only the CO can authorize scope changes
CORs have no authority to authorize changes; all scope modifications must be directed through the Contracting Officer via a formal contract modification.
Question 6: What is the term for the government's written demand that a contractor correct deficient performance within a specified timeframe?
- Cure Notice (Correct answer)
- Show Cause Letter
- Deficiency Report
- Stop-Work Order
Correct answer: Cure Notice
A Cure Notice is issued when the contractor is in danger of default, giving them a set period (typically 10 days) to correct the deficiency.
Question 7: Which ethical principle prohibits a COR from accepting gifts from a contractor valued over the minimal threshold?
- Conflict of Interest Rule
- Standards of Conduct / Gift Rules under 5 CFR Part 2635 (Correct answer)
- Anti-Kickback Act
- Procurement Integrity Act
Correct answer: Standards of Conduct / Gift Rules under 5 CFR Part 2635
The Standards of Conduct at 5 CFR Part 2635 govern gift acceptance, generally prohibiting gifts from prohibited sources such as contractors.
COR Contract Management Fundamentals 2
Which document formally authorizes the COR to perform contract administration duties on behalf of the Contracting Officer?