Mixed Deck — All FCC Topics Flashcards

A FCC professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing far part 15 negotiated acquisition duties. What is the most appropriate first action?

Answer: Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding

When facing unfamiliar situations in far part 15 negotiated acquisition, the most appropriate action is to consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor. This ensures safety, accuracy, and compliance while building professional knowledge.

When evaluating contractor performance at contract completion, which federal system is used to record past performance assessments for future source selections?

Answer: Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)

CPARS is the official federal system where contracting officers document contractor performance ratings used in future past-performance evaluations.

Which FAR provision governs the debriefing rights of offerors who are not selected for award?

Answer: FAR 15.505 and 15.506

FAR 15.505 covers pre-award debriefings and FAR 15.506 covers post-award debriefings for unsuccessful offerors.

What action should an SSEB member take if they discover a potential organizational conflict of interest (OCI) with one of the offerors after evaluation has begun?

Answer: Immediately recuse themselves and notify the Contracting Officer

An SSEB member who identifies a potential OCI must immediately recuse themselves from further evaluation and report the conflict to the Contracting Officer.

When the government exercises a unilateral contract modification and the contractor believes it constitutes a cardinal change, the contractor should:

Answer: Continue performance under protest and preserve claim rights

A contractor should generally continue performance, formally object, and file a claim under the CDA to preserve rights while avoiding a default.

A contractor performing a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract proposes to substitute a lower-cost material that meets specifications. Under FAR Part 48, this is best characterized as a:

Answer: Value engineering change proposal (VECP) potentially sharing savings with the government

A contractor-initiated cost reduction proposal that meets contract requirements qualifies as a VECP under FAR Part 48, and any savings are shared between the contractor and the government.

What is the threshold above which a contractor claim must be certified under the Contract Disputes Act?

Answer: $100,000

Claims exceeding $100,000 must include a contractor certification that the claim is made in good faith and the amount is accurate under the Contract Disputes Act.

What is the significance of the 'tradeoff' determination in a best-value source selection where a higher-priced offeror is selected?

Answer: The SSA must document why the technical superiority is worth the price premium to the government

When selecting a higher-priced offeror, the SSA must clearly articulate in the SSDD why the technical advantages justify the additional cost to the government.

In the context of far part 15 negotiated acquisition, what role does continuous professional development play for FCC practitioners?

Answer: It ensures practitioners remain current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices

Continuous professional development is essential in far part 15 negotiated acquisition because it ensures FCC practitioners remain current with evolving standards, technologies, and best practices, maintaining competency throughout their careers.

Which system is the primary e-commerce platform agencies use to make micro-purchases under SAP?

Answer: GSA Advantage!

GSA Advantage! is the federal online shopping and ordering system used for micro-purchases and small acquisitions.

What is the role of contract administration?

Answer: To ensure both parties comply with the contract terms

Contract administration is the overarching process of managing a contract from award through close-out. Its primary role is to ensure that both the government and the contractor fulfill their respective obligations and comply with all contract terms and conditions. This involves monitoring performance, managing changes, resolving disputes, and ensuring timely payments, all to achieve the contract's objectives.

When a requirement has well-defined specifications and stable pricing can be established, FAR policy favors which contract type?

Answer: Firm-Fixed-Price

FAR 16.103(b) states that firm-fixed-price contracts are preferred when specifications are definitive and a fair and reasonable price can be established at the outset.

When a contracting officer conducts discussions with offerors in the competitive range, what is PROHIBITED?

Answer: Revealing another offeror's price to gain leverage

FAR 15.306(e) prohibits revealing one offeror's price, technical solution, or other information to give another offeror an unfair advantage.

A contracting officer discovers that a contractor submitted an OCI mitigation plan but failed to implement the required firewall procedures. What is the CO's most appropriate first action?

Answer: Consult legal counsel and consider whether corrective action is sufficient

The CO should consult legal counsel to assess the severity of the breach and determine whether corrective action, contract modification, or termination is warranted under the specific circumstances.

Under FAR 32.704, what is an 'limitation of funds' clause and what obligation does it impose on the contractor?

Answer: It notifies the contractor of the amount allotted and prohibits obligating costs beyond that amount without authorization

The Limitation of Funds clause (FAR 52.232-22) caps the contractor's cost obligation to the allotted amount and requires the contractor to notify the government when 75% of funds are expended.

Under FAR Part 36, what type of contract is typically used for construction projects, and what pricing method does it use?

Answer: Firm-fixed-price, with price established competitively through sealed bidding using the IFB

FAR Part 36 construction contracts are predominantly firm-fixed-price, awarded through sealed bidding to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.

When must a contracting officer document the basis for concluding that a potential OCI either does not exist or has been adequately mitigated?

Answer: Before award whenever an OCI issue was identified and analyzed

FAR 9.506 requires the CO to document the OCI analysis and mitigation conclusions in the contract file before award, regardless of contract value, whenever an OCI was considered.

Under FAR 52.203-13, contractors with contracts over $5 million and a performance period of 120 days or more must establish which of the following?

Answer: A written code of business ethics and conduct within 30 days of contract award

FAR 52.203-13 requires covered contractors to establish a written code of business ethics and conduct within 30 days of contract award.

What is the 'competitive range' in a negotiated acquisition under FAR Part 15?

Answer: The set of most highly rated proposals with a reasonable chance of being selected for award

The competitive range consists of the most highly rated proposals that have a reasonable chance of being selected for award, determined after initial evaluation.

During discussions, what must the Contracting Officer communicate to each offeror whose proposal is in the competitive range?

Answer: All deficiencies, significant weaknesses, and adverse past performance information on which the offeror has not had an opportunity to comment

FAR 15.306(d) requires the CO to identify and discuss deficiencies, significant weaknesses, and adverse past performance information with each competitive range offeror.