CON 1200 U03 ACQUISITION PLANNING
2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
DAU ACQUISITION EXAM PREP | LATEST
UPDATED VERSION
CON 1200 U03 ACQUISITION PLANNING 2026/2027
DAU ACQUISITION EXAM PREP | VERIFIED Q&A WITH EXPERT RATIONALE
• This study guide contains 200 verified exam-style questions with detailed EXPERT
RATIONALE, designed to prepare you thoroughly for the CON 1200 U03 Acquisition
Planning DAU exam.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
viewing the highlighted correct option and EXPERT RATIONALE below it to
reinforce understanding.
QUESTION 1
What is the primary purpose of acquisition planning?
A. To ensure contractors are selected based on lowest price only
B. To document the history of past government contracts
C. To satisfy agency needs in the most effective, economical, and timely manner
D. To eliminate competition in the procurement process
E. To comply with congressional reporting requirements only
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To satisfy agency needs in the most effective,
economical, and timely manner
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.102 states that agencies must perform acquisition planning
to promote and provide for full and open competition, and to satisfy the agency's needs
in the most effective, economical, and timely manner.
,QUESTION 2
Who is primarily responsible for conducting acquisition planning?
A. The Secretary of Defense
B. The contracting officer alone
C. The program manager alone
D. The requiring activity without input from contracting
E. A team of appropriate acquisition personnel including the program manager and
contracting officer
CORRECT ANSWER: E. A team of appropriate acquisition personnel
including the program manager and contracting officer
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.104 requires that acquisition planning be performed by a
team of appropriate acquisition personnel, including the program manager, contracting
officer, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
QUESTION 3
When should acquisition planning begin?
A. After the contract is awarded
B. When the solicitation is issued
C. As early as possible in the acquisition process, once the need is identified
D. Only after funding is fully secured
E. During the source selection phase
CORRECT ANSWER: C. As early as possible in the acquisition process, once
the need is identified
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.104(a) specifies that acquisition planning should begin as
soon as the agency need is identified, preferably well in advance of the fiscal year in
which the contract award is needed.
,QUESTION 4
What document formally captures the acquisition planning process for large
acquisitions?
A. Statement of Work
B. Source Selection Plan
C. Written Acquisition Plan (AP)
D. Market Research Report
E. Independent Government Cost Estimate
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Written Acquisition Plan (AP)
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.105 requires a written acquisition plan for acquisitions that
exceed specific thresholds. The plan documents the planning decisions and provides a
roadmap for the acquisition.
QUESTION 5
What is the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) as established under FAR?
A. $25,000
B. $50,000
C. $100,000
D. $150,000
E. $250,000
CORRECT ANSWER: D. $150,000
EXPERT RATIONALE: The simplified acquisition threshold is $150,000 per FAR 2.101. This
threshold determines which simplified acquisition procedures may be used and triggers
various regulatory requirements.
, QUESTION 6
Which of the following best describes a Performance Work Statement (PWS)?
A. A document that specifies the precise manner in which work is to be performed
B. A statement of objectives used only for advisory services
C. A statement that describes required results and outcomes rather than how to
achieve them
D. A document used exclusively for construction contracts
E. A pricing schedule attached to a contract
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A statement that describes required results and
outcomes rather than how to achieve them
EXPERT RATIONALE: A PWS describes the required results in clear, outcome-based
language, allowing contractors flexibility to determine how best to achieve those results.
This approach promotes innovation and efficiency.
QUESTION 7
What is the purpose of market research in acquisition planning?
A. To identify potential contractors to sole-source to
B. To determine if simplified acquisition procedures apply only
C. To collect and analyze information about capabilities within the market to satisfy
agency needs
D. To justify a pre-selected vendor
E. To eliminate small business participation
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To collect and analyze information about capabilities
within the market to satisfy agency needs
2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
DAU ACQUISITION EXAM PREP | LATEST
UPDATED VERSION
CON 1200 U03 ACQUISITION PLANNING 2026/2027
DAU ACQUISITION EXAM PREP | VERIFIED Q&A WITH EXPERT RATIONALE
• This study guide contains 200 verified exam-style questions with detailed EXPERT
RATIONALE, designed to prepare you thoroughly for the CON 1200 U03 Acquisition
Planning DAU exam.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
viewing the highlighted correct option and EXPERT RATIONALE below it to
reinforce understanding.
QUESTION 1
What is the primary purpose of acquisition planning?
A. To ensure contractors are selected based on lowest price only
B. To document the history of past government contracts
C. To satisfy agency needs in the most effective, economical, and timely manner
D. To eliminate competition in the procurement process
E. To comply with congressional reporting requirements only
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To satisfy agency needs in the most effective,
economical, and timely manner
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.102 states that agencies must perform acquisition planning
to promote and provide for full and open competition, and to satisfy the agency's needs
in the most effective, economical, and timely manner.
,QUESTION 2
Who is primarily responsible for conducting acquisition planning?
A. The Secretary of Defense
B. The contracting officer alone
C. The program manager alone
D. The requiring activity without input from contracting
E. A team of appropriate acquisition personnel including the program manager and
contracting officer
CORRECT ANSWER: E. A team of appropriate acquisition personnel
including the program manager and contracting officer
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.104 requires that acquisition planning be performed by a
team of appropriate acquisition personnel, including the program manager, contracting
officer, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
QUESTION 3
When should acquisition planning begin?
A. After the contract is awarded
B. When the solicitation is issued
C. As early as possible in the acquisition process, once the need is identified
D. Only after funding is fully secured
E. During the source selection phase
CORRECT ANSWER: C. As early as possible in the acquisition process, once
the need is identified
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.104(a) specifies that acquisition planning should begin as
soon as the agency need is identified, preferably well in advance of the fiscal year in
which the contract award is needed.
,QUESTION 4
What document formally captures the acquisition planning process for large
acquisitions?
A. Statement of Work
B. Source Selection Plan
C. Written Acquisition Plan (AP)
D. Market Research Report
E. Independent Government Cost Estimate
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Written Acquisition Plan (AP)
EXPERT RATIONALE: FAR 7.105 requires a written acquisition plan for acquisitions that
exceed specific thresholds. The plan documents the planning decisions and provides a
roadmap for the acquisition.
QUESTION 5
What is the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) as established under FAR?
A. $25,000
B. $50,000
C. $100,000
D. $150,000
E. $250,000
CORRECT ANSWER: D. $150,000
EXPERT RATIONALE: The simplified acquisition threshold is $150,000 per FAR 2.101. This
threshold determines which simplified acquisition procedures may be used and triggers
various regulatory requirements.
, QUESTION 6
Which of the following best describes a Performance Work Statement (PWS)?
A. A document that specifies the precise manner in which work is to be performed
B. A statement of objectives used only for advisory services
C. A statement that describes required results and outcomes rather than how to
achieve them
D. A document used exclusively for construction contracts
E. A pricing schedule attached to a contract
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A statement that describes required results and
outcomes rather than how to achieve them
EXPERT RATIONALE: A PWS describes the required results in clear, outcome-based
language, allowing contractors flexibility to determine how best to achieve those results.
This approach promotes innovation and efficiency.
QUESTION 7
What is the purpose of market research in acquisition planning?
A. To identify potential contractors to sole-source to
B. To determine if simplified acquisition procedures apply only
C. To collect and analyze information about capabilities within the market to satisfy
agency needs
D. To justify a pre-selected vendor
E. To eliminate small business participation
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To collect and analyze information about capabilities
within the market to satisfy agency needs
