FAC Documentation & Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must be included in the contract file to justify a sole-source award above the simplified acquisition threshold?
- Justification and Approval (J&A) (Correct answer)
- Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)
- Market Research Report
- Price Negotiation Memorandum
Correct answer: Justification and Approval (J&A)
A Justification and Approval (J&A) is required by FAR Part 6 to authorize other than full and open competition, including sole-source awards above the SAT.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a Pre-Award Survey report in federal acquisitions?
- To evaluate a prospective contractor's ability to perform the contract (Correct answer)
- To document the source selection decision
- To justify the price paid to the contractor
- To record post-award performance data
Correct 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.
Question 3: Under FAR 4.803, which of the following must be retained in the contract file for contracts exceeding $1 million?
- Source selection documentation including the basis for award (Correct answer)
- Contractor's employee payroll records
- Subcontractor's internal audit reports
- Market research from unrelated procurements
Correct answer: Source selection documentation including the basis for award
FAR 4.803 requires source selection documentation, including the basis for award decision, to be retained in the official contract file for contracts over $1 million.
Question 4: A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) should document contractor performance issues primarily to:
- Support future Past Performance assessments and contract administration decisions (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the contract for default
- Notify the Government Accountability Office of problems
- Release the contractor from performance obligations
Correct answer: Support future Past Performance assessments and contract administration decisions
COR documentation of performance issues creates an accurate record that supports Past Performance evaluations in CPARS and informs future contract administration actions.
Question 5: Which report is required by FAR 42.1502 to document contractor performance on contracts over $150,000?
- Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluation (Correct answer)
- Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) entry
- System for Award Management (SAM) registration update
- Contract Deficiency Report (CDR)
Correct answer: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluation
FAR 42.1502 requires agencies to prepare and submit contractor performance evaluations in CPARS for contracts exceeding $150,000.
Question 6: What is the required retention period for most federal contract files under FAR 4.805?
- 3 years after final payment
- 6 years and 3 months after final payment (Correct answer)
- 10 years after contract award
- 1 year after contract expiration
Correct answer: 6 years and 3 months after final payment
FAR 4.805 generally requires contract files to be retained for 6 years and 3 months after final payment for contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.
Question 7: An agency awards a contract using Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). Which reporting requirement applies to task orders over $3,500?
- The agency must report the order in FPDS-NG within 30 days (Correct answer)
- The agency must publish a synopsis in SAM.gov within 15 days
- The agency must file a J&A with the agency head
- The agency must submit a DD Form 350 to GAO
Correct answer: The agency must report the order in FPDS-NG within 30 days
Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation (FPDS-NG) reporting is required for FSS task orders over $3,500 within 30 days of award.
FAC Documentation & Reporting 2
Which document must be included in the contract file to justify a sole-source award above the simplified acquisition threshold?