CON 3990V: OPERATIONAL CONTRACTING 2026/2027 | 100% VERIFIED
EXAM QUESTIONS AND EXPLAINED VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST DAU
(DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY) CURRICULUM
1. Which Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part primarily governs the
acquisition planning process?
A. FAR Part 12
B. FAR Part 7
C. FAR Part 15
D. FAR Part 36
Correct Answer: B. FAR Part 7 governs Acquisition Planning and establishes
requirements for developing acquisition plans.
2. The term 'contingency contracting' is most closely associated with which
environment?
A. Peacetime garrison operations
B. Field operations during military contingencies
C. Long-term base operations support
D. Routine sustainment contracts
Correct Answer: B. Contingency contracting refers to procurement activities
conducted in support of military operations during contingencies, exercises, and
humanitarian operations.
3. A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is primarily responsible for:
A. Signing contracts on behalf of the government
B. Monitoring contractor performance and providing technical guidance
C. Approving invoices without COR training
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, D. Negotiating contract prices
Correct Answer: B. A COR is delegated authority by the Contracting Officer to
assist in the technical monitoring and administration of contracts.
4. Which document authorizes a contracting officer to execute contracts?
A. Statement of Work
B. Certificate of Appointment (Warrant)
C. DD Form 1149
D. Standard Form 1449
Correct Answer: B. A Certificate of Appointment (Warrant) is the document that
delegates contracting authority to a contracting officer.
5. The threshold for simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) is generally:
A. $10,000
B. $25,000
C. $250,000
D. $750,000
Correct Answer: C. The Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) is generally
$250,000 per FAR 2.101, though it may be higher in contingency operations.
6. What is the primary purpose of the Government Purchase Card (GPC)?
A. Paying large construction contracts
B. Micro-purchase of supplies and services below the micro-purchase
threshold
C. Funding classified operations
D. Issuing advance payments to contractors
Correct Answer: B. The GPC is used to make micro-purchases and streamline
payment processes for small purchases below the micro-purchase threshold.
7. In a contingency environment, the simplified acquisition threshold may be raised
to:
A. $500,000
B. $750,000
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, C. $1,000,000
D. $13,500,000
Correct Answer: C. Under FAR 13.500, in contingency operations the simplified
acquisition threshold may be raised to $1,000,000 for supplies or services.
8. Which form is the Standard Form used for solicitation, offer, and award for
commercial items?
A. SF 30
B. SF 36
C. SF 1449
D. DD Form 250
Correct Answer: C. SF 1449 is the Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial
Items form.
9. A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is best described as:
A. A binding contract with a specific dollar amount
B. A simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs
C. A vehicle for sole-source acquisitions only
D. A method for cost-reimbursement contracts
Correct Answer: B. A BPA is a simplified acquisition method that establishes
charge accounts with qualified sources for anticipated repetitive needs.
10. The micro-purchase threshold for purchases other than construction is:
A. $2,500
B. $5,000
C. $10,000
D. $25,000
Correct Answer: C. Per FAR 2.101, the micro-purchase threshold is generally
$10,000 for other than construction.
11. A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract places the cost risk primarily on:
A. The government
B. The contractor
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, C. Both equally
D. A third-party insurer
Correct Answer: B. In a FFP contract, the contractor bears maximum risk as the
price is not subject to adjustment based on cost experience.
12. Which contract type is most appropriate when costs are uncertain and cannot
be estimated with sufficient accuracy?
A. Firm-Fixed-Price
B. Fixed-Price with Economic Price Adjustment
C. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee
D. Time-and-Materials
Correct Answer: C. CPFF contracts are used when uncertainty in performance
requirements makes it impossible to estimate costs with sufficient accuracy.
13. A Time-and-Materials (T&M) contract provides for acquiring supplies or
services on the basis of:
A. A firm price for all labor and materials
B. Direct labor hours at specified fixed hourly rates and materials at cost
C. Total estimated cost plus a fixed fee
D. Unit prices for each item delivered
Correct Answer: B. T&M contracts provide for direct labor hours at specified
fixed hourly rates plus materials at cost.
14. The government's greatest risk occurs under which contract type?
A. Firm-Fixed-Price
B. Fixed-Price-Incentive
C. Cost-Plus-Percentage-of-Cost
D. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee
Correct Answer: C. CPPC contracts are prohibited by statute because they give
contractors no incentive to control costs, creating maximum government risk.
15. An Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract requires the
government to order a:
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EXAM QUESTIONS AND EXPLAINED VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST DAU
(DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY) CURRICULUM
1. Which Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part primarily governs the
acquisition planning process?
A. FAR Part 12
B. FAR Part 7
C. FAR Part 15
D. FAR Part 36
Correct Answer: B. FAR Part 7 governs Acquisition Planning and establishes
requirements for developing acquisition plans.
2. The term 'contingency contracting' is most closely associated with which
environment?
A. Peacetime garrison operations
B. Field operations during military contingencies
C. Long-term base operations support
D. Routine sustainment contracts
Correct Answer: B. Contingency contracting refers to procurement activities
conducted in support of military operations during contingencies, exercises, and
humanitarian operations.
3. A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) is primarily responsible for:
A. Signing contracts on behalf of the government
B. Monitoring contractor performance and providing technical guidance
C. Approving invoices without COR training
Page 1 of 82
, D. Negotiating contract prices
Correct Answer: B. A COR is delegated authority by the Contracting Officer to
assist in the technical monitoring and administration of contracts.
4. Which document authorizes a contracting officer to execute contracts?
A. Statement of Work
B. Certificate of Appointment (Warrant)
C. DD Form 1149
D. Standard Form 1449
Correct Answer: B. A Certificate of Appointment (Warrant) is the document that
delegates contracting authority to a contracting officer.
5. The threshold for simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) is generally:
A. $10,000
B. $25,000
C. $250,000
D. $750,000
Correct Answer: C. The Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) is generally
$250,000 per FAR 2.101, though it may be higher in contingency operations.
6. What is the primary purpose of the Government Purchase Card (GPC)?
A. Paying large construction contracts
B. Micro-purchase of supplies and services below the micro-purchase
threshold
C. Funding classified operations
D. Issuing advance payments to contractors
Correct Answer: B. The GPC is used to make micro-purchases and streamline
payment processes for small purchases below the micro-purchase threshold.
7. In a contingency environment, the simplified acquisition threshold may be raised
to:
A. $500,000
B. $750,000
Page 2 of 82
, C. $1,000,000
D. $13,500,000
Correct Answer: C. Under FAR 13.500, in contingency operations the simplified
acquisition threshold may be raised to $1,000,000 for supplies or services.
8. Which form is the Standard Form used for solicitation, offer, and award for
commercial items?
A. SF 30
B. SF 36
C. SF 1449
D. DD Form 250
Correct Answer: C. SF 1449 is the Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial
Items form.
9. A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is best described as:
A. A binding contract with a specific dollar amount
B. A simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs
C. A vehicle for sole-source acquisitions only
D. A method for cost-reimbursement contracts
Correct Answer: B. A BPA is a simplified acquisition method that establishes
charge accounts with qualified sources for anticipated repetitive needs.
10. The micro-purchase threshold for purchases other than construction is:
A. $2,500
B. $5,000
C. $10,000
D. $25,000
Correct Answer: C. Per FAR 2.101, the micro-purchase threshold is generally
$10,000 for other than construction.
11. A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract places the cost risk primarily on:
A. The government
B. The contractor
Page 3 of 82
, C. Both equally
D. A third-party insurer
Correct Answer: B. In a FFP contract, the contractor bears maximum risk as the
price is not subject to adjustment based on cost experience.
12. Which contract type is most appropriate when costs are uncertain and cannot
be estimated with sufficient accuracy?
A. Firm-Fixed-Price
B. Fixed-Price with Economic Price Adjustment
C. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee
D. Time-and-Materials
Correct Answer: C. CPFF contracts are used when uncertainty in performance
requirements makes it impossible to estimate costs with sufficient accuracy.
13. A Time-and-Materials (T&M) contract provides for acquiring supplies or
services on the basis of:
A. A firm price for all labor and materials
B. Direct labor hours at specified fixed hourly rates and materials at cost
C. Total estimated cost plus a fixed fee
D. Unit prices for each item delivered
Correct Answer: B. T&M contracts provide for direct labor hours at specified
fixed hourly rates plus materials at cost.
14. The government's greatest risk occurs under which contract type?
A. Firm-Fixed-Price
B. Fixed-Price-Incentive
C. Cost-Plus-Percentage-of-Cost
D. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee
Correct Answer: C. CPPC contracts are prohibited by statute because they give
contractors no incentive to control costs, creating maximum government risk.
15. An Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract requires the
government to order a:
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