GSA Certified General Services Administration Specialist — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does 'obligation' mean in the context of federal financial management?

The annual reporting of actual expenditures to OMB
A legally binding commitment of federal funds, such as a contract or purchase order (Correct answer)
The act of Congress appropriating funds to an agency
The transfer of funds from one agency to another through an interagency agreement

Correct answer: A legally binding commitment of federal funds, such as a contract or purchase order

An obligation is a binding legal commitment of federal funds, typically created when a contract is signed, a purchase order is issued, or a grant agreement is executed.

Question 2: Which agency maintains the FAR?

GSA, DoD, and NASA (Correct answer)
EPA
HHS
IRS

Correct answer: GSA, DoD, and NASA

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is jointly maintained and issued by the Department of Defense (DoD), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). These three agencies form the FAR Council, which is responsible for developing, issuing, and maintaining the FAR. This collaborative effort ensures consistent procurement policies and procedures across the federal government.

Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'highest and best use' analysis in federal property disposal?

To evaluate environmental remediation requirements before sale
To assess which disposal method will take the least amount of time
To identify the most economically beneficial use of a property to maximize proceeds from its sale or transfer (Correct answer)
To determine which federal agency has the highest priority need for the property

Correct answer: To identify the most economically beneficial use of a property to maximize proceeds from its sale or transfer

A highest and best use analysis evaluates how a property could be used to generate the greatest economic benefit, informing whether to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the asset.

Question 4: What is the purpose of the Federal Acquisition Computer Network (FACNET)?

To provide secure communications between federal contracting officers
To track contractor performance evaluations government-wide
To manage the federal government's IT acquisition contracts
To serve as an electronic contracting system for the synopsizing and soliciting of federal contract actions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To serve as an electronic contracting system for the synopsizing and soliciting of federal contract actions

FACNET was established to enable electronic transmission of synopses, solicitations, amendments, and awards, improving transparency and efficiency in federal contracting.

Question 5: What is the 'bona fide needs rule' in federal appropriations law?

The rule that an appropriation may only be obligated to meet a legitimate need arising during the period for which the appropriation is available (Correct answer)
The requirement that all federal purchases must serve a genuine government mission need
The standard that agency budget requests must be supported by documented workload data
The requirement that all federal property must have a documented use before acquisition

Correct answer: The rule that an appropriation may only be obligated to meet a legitimate need arising during the period for which the appropriation is available

The bona fide needs rule requires that a fiscal year's appropriation be used only for needs that legitimately arise during that fiscal year, not for future year requirements.

Question 6: What is the difference between debarment and suspension in federal contracting?

Suspension requires criminal conviction; debarment can be based on civil findings
Debarment applies only to prime contractors; suspension applies to subcontractors
Suspension is a temporary exclusion pending investigation; debarment is a longer-term exclusion following a finding of cause (Correct answer)
Debarment is indefinite; suspension is permanent

Correct answer: Suspension is a temporary exclusion pending investigation; debarment is a longer-term exclusion following a finding of cause

Suspension is an immediate but temporary exclusion action taken while an investigation or legal proceeding is ongoing, while debarment is a longer exclusion (typically 3 years) based on established cause.

Question 7: What is a 'Teaming Agreement' in federal contracting and when is it used?

A formal partnership between contractors approved by GSA for MAS subcontracting
An agreement between two or more companies to work together and submit a joint proposal for a federal contract (Correct answer)
A government document authorizing multiple agencies to jointly fund a procurement
A GSA-mandated arrangement between large and small businesses for Schedule participation

Correct answer: An agreement between two or more companies to work together and submit a joint proposal for a federal contract

A teaming agreement is a pre-award arrangement where companies agree to collaborate on a proposal and contract, often pairing a large business's resources with a small business's set-aside eligibility.

Question 8: A contractor submits an invoice that lacks required data elements under FAR 32.905. The COR should:

Approve the invoice and note the deficiency in the file
Return the invoice as improper within 7 days (Correct answer)
Escalate immediately to the Office of Inspector General
Hold the invoice until the next billing cycle

Correct answer: Return the invoice as improper within 7 days

FAR 32.905 requires that improper invoices be returned to the vendor within 7 days of receipt with a statement of deficiencies.

Question 9: Under FAR 15.404-1, the primary purpose of price analysis is to:

Validate the contractor's forward pricing rate agreements
Review the contractor's internal cost accounting system
Determine whether the proposed price is fair and reasonable without evaluating cost elements (Correct answer)
Audit the contractor's labor rates against union agreements

Correct answer: Determine whether the proposed price is fair and reasonable without evaluating cost elements

Price analysis evaluates the reasonableness of a proposed price by comparing it to market data, prior prices, or competitive offers without examining underlying cost elements.

Question 10: What is the purpose of GSA's Standard Level User Agreements (SLUAs) with customer agencies?

To establish small business subcontracting targets for each agency
To document the terms under which GSA will provide services and billing rates to customer agencies (Correct answer)
To certify that agencies have completed required acquisition training
To authorize agencies to use classified information systems

Correct answer: To document the terms under which GSA will provide services and billing rates to customer agencies

SLUAs establish the terms, conditions, and billing rates for GSA services provided to customer agencies, serving as the interagency agreement framework for service delivery.

Question 11: What is a 'utilization review' in the context of federal real property management?

An environmental compliance inspection of federal properties
An audit of how federal funds are being spent on property maintenance
A review of contractor performance on building management contracts
An assessment of whether a facility is being used efficiently and at its intended capacity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An assessment of whether a facility is being used efficiently and at its intended capacity

A utilization review assesses whether a federal facility is being used at an appropriate level relative to its capacity, identifying opportunities for consolidation or disposal.

Question 12: What federal law requires agencies to report all federally owned property to a central database and sets performance standards for asset management?

Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016
Freeze the Footprint Policy
Federal Real Property Asset Management Executive Order 13327 (Correct answer)
Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act

Correct answer: Federal Real Property Asset Management Executive Order 13327

Executive Order 13327 established the Federal Real Property Profile database and created the Federal Real Property Council to improve the management and use of federal real property assets.

Question 13: Under the Davis-Bacon Act provisions in FAR 22.403-1, which type of contracts require payment of prevailing wages?

Service contracts over $2,500
IT service contracts over $150,000
Supply contracts with domestic manufacturers
Construction contracts over $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Construction contracts over $2,000 for construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works

The Davis-Bacon Act, covered by FAR 22.403-1, applies to construction contracts exceeding $2,000 for work on public buildings or public works, requiring payment of locally prevailing wages.

Question 14: What is the significance of the Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA) for GSA contract managers?

It requires GSA to report all sole-source contract awards to Congress
It requires agencies to identify, report, and reduce improper payments, including duplicate or erroneous contract payments (Correct answer)
It establishes penalties for contractors who submit false invoices
It mandates annual audits of all GSA contracts over $1 million

Correct answer: It requires agencies to identify, report, and reduce improper payments, including duplicate or erroneous contract payments

IPIA requires federal agencies to identify programs at risk for improper payments, estimate error amounts, and report on corrective actions, including overpayments and underpayments on contracts.

Question 15: A contractor claims the government's actions amounted to a cardinal change. Which of the following BEST describes a cardinal change?

A change so substantial it is outside the general scope and effectively a new procurement (Correct answer)
An equitable adjustment exceeding 15% of the original contract value
A change order issued without a bilateral modification
A unilateral modification reducing the contract price by 5%

Correct answer: A change so substantial it is outside the general scope and effectively a new procurement

A cardinal change is a modification so significant it falls outside the contract's general scope, potentially constituting a breach of contract.

Question 16: Under FAR 8.405, before placing an order exceeding $25,000 against a GSA MAS contract, the ordering contracting officer must:

Obtain Small Business Administration approval
Request GSA headquarters authorization
Consider at least three schedule contractors (Correct answer)
Issue a synopsis on SAM.gov

Correct answer: Consider at least three schedule contractors

FAR 8.405-2 requires ordering agencies to consider at least three MAS contractors when placing orders for services exceeding $25,000.

Question 17: What is the purpose of the Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP) database?

To track contractor-owned equipment used on federal projects
To maintain a comprehensive inventory of all federal real property assets (Correct answer)
To manage federal vehicle fleet assignments
To record all federal lease agreements with private landlords

Correct answer: To maintain a comprehensive inventory of all federal real property assets

The FRPP is a government-wide database that agencies use to report and track all federally owned and leased real property, supporting data-driven asset management decisions.

Question 18: A GSA contracting officer wants to use a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type. This is most appropriate when:

Requirements are well-defined and cost risk can be estimated accurately (Correct answer)
The performance risk is high and costs are uncertain
R&D work involves significant technical uncertainty
Labor hours are known but material costs fluctuate unpredictably

Correct answer: Requirements are well-defined and cost risk can be estimated accurately

FFP contracts are appropriate when specifications are clear and risk is allocable to the contractor, providing maximum incentive to control costs.

Question 19: A GSA contracting specialist must document that award was made to the 'responsible' offeror. Which FAR part governs contractor responsibility determinations?

FAR Part 19
FAR Part 9 (Correct answer)
FAR Part 12
FAR Part 15

Correct answer: FAR Part 9

FAR Part 9 (Contractor Qualifications) establishes the standards and procedures for determining contractor responsibility before award.

Question 20: Which OMB circular provides the cost principles applicable to contracts with commercial organizations?

OMB Circular A-76
OMB Circular A-21
FAR Part 31 / OMB Circular A-122 equivalent (Correct answer)
OMB Circular A-87

Correct answer: FAR Part 31 / OMB Circular A-122 equivalent

FAR Part 31 incorporates cost principles for commercial organizations, establishing what costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable for government contract pricing and audit purposes.

Question 21: What is the maximum order threshold (MOT) in the context of GSA Schedule contracts?

The order value above which a vendor may decline an order without penalty (Correct answer)
The spending limit per fiscal year for a single agency
The annual sales threshold that triggers a contract audit
The maximum dollar amount a single task order can reach

Correct answer: The order value above which a vendor may decline an order without penalty

The Maximum Order Threshold is the dollar level identified in a Schedule contract above which vendors may decline individual orders, though they should still attempt to fulfill them.

Question 22: Under GSA travel policy, which statement about travel advances for federal employees is correct?

Travel advances are automatically issued 10 business days before any approved travel
Travel advances may be authorized when the employee does not have a government travel charge card (Correct answer)
Travel advances are required for all TDY trips regardless of duration
Travel advances are prohibited and have been entirely eliminated from the FTR

Correct answer: Travel advances may be authorized when the employee does not have a government travel charge card

Cash travel advances may be authorized when an employee does not have a government travel charge card (SmartPay) and needs funds to cover anticipated official travel costs.

Question 23: What is the difference between 'no-year' and 'one-year' appropriations?

One-year appropriations expire at the end of the fiscal year; no-year funds remain available until expended (Correct answer)
No-year appropriations can only be used for capital projects; one-year funds cover operations
No-year funds expire at the end of the fiscal year; one-year funds never expire
One-year funds require congressional reauthorization each year; no-year funds do not

Correct answer: One-year appropriations expire at the end of the fiscal year; no-year funds remain available until expended

One-year (annual) appropriations expire at fiscal year end and must be obligated within that year, while no-year (permanent) appropriations remain available until the agency obligates them.

Question 24: Which disposal method allows GSA to sell surplus federal real property through a public auction or sealed bid process?

Competitive Sale (Correct answer)
Exchange/Sale
Negotiated Sale
Public Benefit Conveyance

Correct answer: Competitive Sale

A Competitive Sale is the standard method for disposing of surplus federal real property through public auction or sealed bidding to ensure fair market value is received.

Question 25: The 'actual expense method' for travel per diem allows:

Automatic reimbursement for all meals without requiring receipts
Reimbursement based on actual costs when standard per diem is insufficient, with agency approval (Correct answer)
Reimbursement of all travel expenses without any dollar limits
Reimbursement of actual lodging costs up to 300% of the standard per diem rate

Correct answer: Reimbursement based on actual costs when standard per diem is insufficient, with agency approval

The actual expense method allows reimbursement of actual costs that exceed the standard per diem rate when justified and with prior agency approval.

Question 26: What is the primary purpose of the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program in relation to federal contracting?

To guarantee contract performance bonds for minority-owned businesses
To allow contracting officers to award contracts non-competitively to certified socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses (Correct answer)
To provide technical assistance to small businesses during contract performance
To provide low-interest loans to small businesses competing for federal contracts

Correct answer: To allow contracting officers to award contracts non-competitively to certified socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses

The SBA 8(a) program allows the government to sole-source contracts or conduct set-aside competitions limited to certified disadvantaged small businesses, helping them build capacity through federal contracting experience.

Question 27: What type of federal building is subject to the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act before disposal?

Any building listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (Correct answer)
Any building with a replacement value over $1 million
Any building over 25 years old
Any building built before 1950

Correct answer: Any building listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Buildings listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places require Section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act before disposal to consider effects on historic properties.

Question 28: Which transportation mode receives priority consideration under the Federal Travel Regulation?

Government vehicle always takes first priority over all other modes
The mode chosen by the traveler at supervisor discretion
Common carrier (air, rail, bus) when cost-effective and time-efficient (Correct answer)
Personal vehicle over commercial air when the employee prefers driving

Correct answer: Common carrier (air, rail, bus) when cost-effective and time-efficient

The FTR prioritizes common carriers such as commercial air, rail, or bus when they are the most cost-effective and time-efficient option for official travel.

Question 29: Under what conditions may federal agencies retain excess real property rather than reporting it to GSA?

When the property has a fair market value below $50,000
When the property is needed for future mission requirements within 12 months (Correct answer)
When the property is located outside the continental United States
Agencies must always report all excess real property immediately

Correct answer: When the property is needed for future mission requirements within 12 months

Agencies may hold property from excess reporting when there is a documented near-term mission need, but must justify retention and cannot hold property indefinitely without plans for use.

Question 30: A contractor delivers a final report that does not meet the specifications in the PWS. Under FAR 52.246-4, the Contracting Officer may:

Approve the deliverable conditionally pending future correction
Only assess deductions if the QASP explicitly lists this deficiency
Reject the deliverable and require correction at no additional cost to the government (Correct answer)
Automatically terminate the contract for default

Correct answer: Reject the deliverable and require correction at no additional cost to the government

FAR 52.246-4 (Inspection of Services) authorizes the government to reject nonconforming services and require reperformance at no additional cost.

GSA Certified General Services Administration Specialist

The GSA Specialist certification exam tests professionals on U.S. General Services Administration policies, federal acquisition services, and government contracting procedures across schedule management, financial management, property oversight, and IT procurement.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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