Mixed Deck — All FAC Topics Flashcards

Under FAR 9.104-1, a contracting officer must determine that an offeror is 'responsible' before making an award. Which factor is NOT part of the responsibility determination?

Answer: Lowest evaluated price among all offerors

Responsibility under FAR 9.104-1 assesses capability and integrity, not whether the offeror submitted the lowest price.

Which Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) addresses the requirement that contractors use the same cost accounting practices for estimating, accumulating, and reporting costs?

Answer: CAS 401 (Consistency in Estimating, Accumulating, and Reporting Costs)

CAS 401 requires contractors to use consistent cost accounting practices when estimating, accumulating, and reporting the costs of contracts.

Which contract type places the MOST financial risk on the government?

Answer: Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF)

Cost-Plus-Award-Fee contracts place the most risk on the government because the government pays all allowable costs plus an award fee that can vary based on subjective performance evaluations.

What is the primary purpose of a Pre-Award Survey report in federal acquisitions?

Answer: To evaluate a prospective contractor's ability to perform the contract

A Pre-Award Survey assesses whether a prospective contractor has the technical, financial, and managerial capability to successfully perform the contract.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to document compliance with accessibility standards primarily in which type of document?

Answer: Solicitation and contract requirements that specify accessibility standards for deliverables

Section 508 compliance requirements are incorporated into solicitations and contract documents as technical requirements that apply to all electronic and information technology deliverables.

What is a key requirement under the Small Business Act for federal contracting?

Answer: Reserve a percentage of contracts for small businesses

The Small Business Act mandates that federal agencies set aside a certain percentage of their contracts for small businesses. This policy aims to promote economic growth, foster competition, and ensure that small businesses have a fair opportunity to participate in federal contracting, strengthening the economy.

What is a fundamental principle of Fraud Detection & Prevention in Federal Acquisition Certification practice?

Answer: Following established standards and best practices

Following established standards and best practices ensures quality and consistency in Fraud Detection & Prevention.

When a contracting officer suspects a contractor of defective pricing under the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA), which action is authorized?

Answer: Request a price reduction equal to the defect plus interest

Under 10 U.S.C. 2306a and 41 U.S.C. 3502, the government may reduce the contract price by the amount of the defect plus simple interest when defective pricing is found.

Under FAR 52.243-1, a Change Order issued under the Changes clause requires the contractor to continue performance while an equitable adjustment is being negotiated if:

Answer: The CO directs the work in writing

When the CO issues a written Change Order, the contractor must continue performance even while an equitable adjustment is pending.

What is the role of documentation in Fraud Detection & Prevention for Federal Acquisition Certification?

Answer: It provides an accurate record for accountability and reference

Proper documentation in Fraud Detection & Prevention ensures accountability, traceability, and serves as a reference for future decisions.

Which negotiation technique involves revealing your position only gradually to gauge the other party's reactions and flexibility?

Answer: Incremental disclosure technique

Incremental disclosure involves sharing information gradually to assess the counterpart's flexibility without revealing your full position upfront.

A contractor charges the cost of an executive's country club membership to a government cost-reimbursement contract. This is best classified as:

Answer: Unallowable cost

FAR 31.201-6 and FAR 31.205-14 identify entertainment costs such as club memberships as unallowable and therefore cannot be charged to government contracts.

An agency awards a contract without completing required market research. The primary risk created by this omission is:

Answer: The government may overpay or select a suboptimal contract strategy

Skipping market research leaves the government without knowledge of pricing norms, available vendors, and suitable contract structures, increasing cost and performance risk.

Which of the following is an example of a semi-variable (mixed) cost?

Answer: A utility bill with a fixed monthly charge plus a per-unit usage fee

Semi-variable costs have both a fixed component (base charge) and a variable component (usage fee) that changes with activity level.

Interest on contractor claims under the CDA begins accruing on which date?

Answer: Date the claim is submitted to the CO

Under the CDA, interest on contractor claims accrues from the date the claim is submitted to the contracting officer.

Under FAR 15.306(d), during discussions the government must at minimum:

Answer: Indicate significant weaknesses, deficiencies, and adverse past performance to each offeror in the competitive range

FAR 15.306(d) requires the CO to point out significant weaknesses, deficiencies, and adverse past performance references so offerors have the opportunity to address them.

Which document formally captures a contractor's actual performance and is used in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS)?

Answer: Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR)

The Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) is the official record of contractor performance entered into PPIRS/CPARS.

What is the purpose of establishing a competitive range under FAR 15.306(c)?

Answer: To limit discussions to offerors most likely to receive the award based on initial proposals

The competitive range includes the most highly rated proposals so the government can conduct meaningful discussions with viable offerors.

Under FAR 15.403-1(c)(3), which condition exempts an acquisition from requiring certified cost or pricing data?

Answer: Adequate price competition exists based on at least two independent offers

Adequate price competition — typically two or more independent responsive offers — is a primary basis for waiving the requirement for certified cost or pricing data.

What is a 'continuing resolution' (CR) and how does it affect federal procurement?

Answer: A CR provides temporary funding at prior-year levels and typically restricts agencies from starting new programs

A continuing resolution maintains government operations when a full-year appropriation hasn't passed, usually limiting agencies to prior-year spending rates and prohibiting new program starts.