COR Performance Monitoring & Evaluation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The COR receives a contractor invoice that includes charges for work the COR did not observe being performed. What is the CORRECT action?
- Approve the invoice since the contractor is responsible for its accuracy
- Withhold approval and notify the CO of the discrepancy pending investigation (Correct answer)
- Reject the entire invoice immediately without notifying the CO
- Ask the contractor to resubmit with corrected amounts independently
Correct answer: Withhold approval and notify the CO of the discrepancy pending investigation
The COR must not certify payment for work not observed or verified, and must notify the CO so appropriate contractual remedies can be pursued.
Question 2: Under a firm-fixed-price contract, what is the COR's role in monitoring contractor costs?
- Closely monitor all contractor expenditures to prevent cost overruns
- Focus on deliverables and performance outcomes rather than contractor costs (Correct answer)
- Require the contractor to submit weekly cost reports for review
- Approve each contractor expenditure before work proceeds
Correct answer: Focus on deliverables and performance outcomes rather than contractor costs
Under FFP contracts, the contractor bears all cost risk, so the COR focuses on performance outcomes and deliverables rather than tracking contractor costs.
Question 3: Which surveillance method involves the COR inspecting 100% of all contractor work products?
- Random sampling
- Statistical sampling
- Planned sampling
- 100% inspection (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 100% inspection
100% inspection means every deliverable or output is reviewed, which is appropriate for high-risk or low-volume critical deliverables.
Question 4: A contractor requests a schedule extension due to government-caused delays. How should the COR respond?
- Deny the request because schedule adjustments are not the COR's authority
- Document the government delays and forward the request to the CO for action (Correct answer)
- Verbally grant the extension and document it in the surveillance log
- Advise the contractor to absorb the delay at no additional cost
Correct answer: Document the government delays and forward the request to the CO for action
Only the CO has authority to modify contract terms including schedule; the COR must document the circumstances and forward requests to the CO.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR)?
- To document the COR's own performance for annual reviews
- To provide a formal evaluation of contractor performance for use in future source selections (Correct answer)
- To satisfy the contractor's request for written feedback
- To justify price adjustments in the current contract
Correct answer: To provide a formal evaluation of contractor performance for use in future source selections
CPARs are entered into PPIRS and used by source selection officials to evaluate past performance when awarding future contracts.
Question 6: When should the COR issue a Cure Notice recommendation to the CO?
- When the contractor submits a late invoice
- When contractor performance threatens to endanger performance of the contract (Correct answer)
- When the contractor requests a sole-source subcontract
- When the contractor exceeds the contract ceiling price
Correct answer: When contractor performance threatens to endanger performance of the contract
A Cure Notice is appropriate when the contractor's performance problems are serious enough to endanger contract performance and the contractor needs time to correct the issue.
Question 7: What does 'constructive change' mean in the context of COR oversight?
- A formal contract modification that improves performance requirements
- An unauthorized direction by a COR that causes the contractor to perform work beyond the contract scope (Correct answer)
- A contractor's voluntary improvement to the deliverable quality
- A government-approved reduction in contract scope
Correct answer: An unauthorized direction by a COR that causes the contractor to perform work beyond the contract scope
A constructive change occurs when a COR, without authority, directs the contractor to do something beyond the contract scope, potentially entitling the contractor to additional compensation.
COR Performance Monitoring & Evaluation 3
The COR receives a contractor invoice that includes charges for work the COR did not observe being performed.
What is the CORRECT action?