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Contracting Officer Warrant Board Exam 2025 — Federal
Acquisition Study Guide, Sample Questions & Certification Review
Prepare for the Contracting Officer Warrant Board Exam 2025 with a complete study guide,
sample questions, and acquisition review materials. Master key topics in FAR regulations,
procurement integrity, contract management, and federal acquisition decision-making to
earn your Contracting Officer Warrant successfully.
• Contracting Officer Warrant Board Exam 2025
• Federal Contracting Officer Warrant study guide
• CO Warrant Board sample questions
You are the PCO for an ACAT 1 competition estimated at $1.5B. The PM is drafting the source selection
schedule. Talk about what independent and clearance review are required and when.
clearance/question 009 - ANSWER-You will have MIRT at the five Critical Decision Points: 1) Review Draft
ASP/AP; 2) Review RFP; 3) Review Draft Competitive Range Briefing or Award w/o Discussion; 4) Review
Draft FPR and 5) Review Draft SSD Brief. PEER Reviews are also required on actions > $1B. They would
review at three CDP: 1) Pre-RFP; 2) Before request for FPR; 3) pre-award
What is the purpose of ratification and what conditions must first be met? - ANSWER-A ratification is the
act of approving an unauthorized commitment. Unauthorized commitments may be ratified only when
the conditions of FAR 1.602-3(c) are met.a) Use of appropriated funds
b) Provided to or accepted by the Government - received a benefit
c) Ratification official has the authority to ratify
d) Resulting contract must otherwise be proper
e) Price must be fair & reasonable
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f) Funds are available and were available at the time the action occurred
g) The CO recommends payments
h) It is IAW other requirements and limitations
You are the Contracting Officer on a program where the contractor has recently submitted a very large
claim based on a constructive change to the contract. The claim is based on direction that the Colonel,
the Group Commander of the program, allegedly gave the contractor. The contractor maintains it was a
constructive change to the contract. You find out from the Colonel's secretary that he is going out to the
contractor's facility next week to meet with corporate management about the claim. You make inquiries
and find out that nobody from the program's contracting division or JAG will be accompanying the
colonel. What should you do? - ANSWER-Authority: FAR 43.104 / FAR 52.243-7
A constructive change is sometimes called a 'change by implication' and occurs when the Government,
by its actions, changes the contract without specifically adhering to the requirements of the 'Changes'
clause. A constructive change order has been defined as an oral or written act or omission by the
Contracting Officer or other authorized Government official, which is of such a nature that it has the
same effect as a formal written change order under the Changes clause.
You should notify you supervisor immediately and brief them on the situation. You should also express
concern over not being involved in the situation and concern that the Colonel might be compromising
the Government's position in this matter. You should recommend to your boss that the Group COCO
should ask the colonel either to take along his PCO and JAG or cancel the trip altogether. If the colonel
refuses, then the COCO should elevate the matter by alerting the SCCO and the JAG office.
What is consideration? How would you address consideration on a Fixed Price type contract being
modified to include additional Government Furnished Property (GFP) (e.g., not part of the original
contract), and what is your reasoning? How would you address consideration on a Cost type contract
being modified to include additional GFP (e.g. not part of the original contract), and what is your
reasoning?
legal/010 - ANSWER-Consideration is the inducement to a contract: the cause, motive, price, or
impelling influence that leads a party to enter a contract. A binding contract requires an offer,
acceptance of the offer, and consideration. Consideration generally requires two elements: (1)
something must be given that the law regards as of sufficient legal value for the purpose - either a
benefit to the seller or a detriment to the buyer, and (2) the something (benefit or detriment of legal
value) must be dealt with by the parties as the agreed-uponm price or exchange for the promise - there
must be a "bargained-for exchange." The requirement for consideration does not require that what is
relied upon for consideration be equivalent in value to the promise; the consideration need only have
"some value."
,3|Page
For Fixed Price: After determining the estimated value of the GFP, you would add something of value to
the contract (i.e., additional within scope capability, an additional study, additional hours) in order to re-
establish the original "balance" of the contractual consideration.
For Cost Type: Textbook answer and preference is to reduce the base fee. After determining the
extimated value of the GFP, you would get a reduction in the base fee on a cost type contract (if there is
a base fee). This is because the GFP, in effect, reduces the estimated cost of the contract and therefore
the fee associated with it should also be reduced. This re-establishes the original "balance" of the
contractual consideration. In real life, if the value of the GFP is nominal and it is impractical to reduce
the fee - you have a few other alternatives: requesting something of nominal value (additional copies of
a report), documenting the file that your produce will be enhanced given the use of GFP or document
the file that consideration was obtained through "cos
You are working a $100M acquisition. The price analyst has received business clearance with 5%
latitude. You reach a point where you don't feel you can go any further but are still well within your
latitude. The PM suggests the team should just use the rest of our latitude in order to get it done. What
do you do?
clearance/question 009 - ANSWER-Just because you have the latitude doesn't mean you should use it.
The price still has to be fair and reasonable. Any move you make regarding price should be related to
additional information you receive from the contractor or changes in risk. You have to be able to write
to and support your final price agreement.
What are MIRTs/Peer Reviews, tell me all you know. What are they, Purpose, threshold, team
composition, and when required?
clearance/question 009 - ANSWER-Multi-functional Integrated Review Teams are now required by AFMC
policy (subpart 5301.90) to augment clearance procedures. The MIRTs are required at specified Critical
Decision Points (CDPs): a) to review DRAFT ASP or Acq Plan, b) to review DRAFT Sections L & M, c) to
review DRAFT IEB or DRAFT Award document (if awarding w/out discussions, d) to review DRAFT FPR
request, and e) to review DRAFT SSDD. Membership must be made of cross-functional experts such as:
technical or requirements activity (PM/EN/A1/A5), Legal representative, contracting activity (CO, chief
of policy, etc). Membership shall not consist of anyone on the SSET. Typically no A&AS are included on
MIRTs. AFFARS MPs 5301.9001(b) (2) - competitive acquisitions >=$50M meeting the criteria at AFFARS
5301.90 or whenever the CAA wants a MIRT, but mostly just pre-award and competitive actions. Peer
reviews are a DoD policy, issued by DPAP for >=$1B efforts, applies to pre and post-award actions.
, 4|Page
You are the Contracting Officer in a major weapon system program. The program is under a lot of
pressure to get through flight test and into production. There are cost overruns. Numerous IPTs are
working with the contractor. The engineers are meeting regularly with the contractor and making
decisions on how to accomplish flight test. Senior Program Management is working with the contractor's
management group deciding how to get to production. Decisions are not getting documented. No PCO
letters have been issued for over six months. What do you do? - ANSWER-Authority: FAR 43.202
There seems to be a major communications breakdown. It appears that many folks may have given
constructive changes to the contractor. You should communicate to both Government and contractor
personnel that no one is authorized to give direction or take action on a decision unless they receive a
PCOL. You need to try to document the past agreements/decisions, etc. that have been made, on both
sides, and bring the contract up to date to reflect these things. You may also need to prepare for an
eventual claim from the contractor. The PCO is the only one authorized to make a change to a contract,
unless it's been delegated to the ACO, per FAR 43.202.
You receive notification from the Contractor they will submit a new CDRL based on request by Lead
Engineer on your contract. The KTR will be sending an invoice since this CDRL is at additional cost. What
are the ramifications of this notification and what actions would you take? - ANSWER-IDENTIFY
POSSIBLE RATIFICATION (Ratification Processing Procedures)
1) Conduct CO Investigation
2) write determination (within 30 days)
3) would the CO mod the contract (scope determination)
4) Legal Opinion
5) Were funds available
6) Ratification on Mod
7) Thresholds for Ratification approval is <30K by COCO; if >$30K by SCCO or HCA
Q1: Disclosure of Information. You are the PCO negotiating a multi-million dollar, non-classified,
research effort, on a tight schedule, with a large business as prime. Near the end of negotiations, the
prospective contractor advises you that one of its subcontractors, a university whose unique capabilities
render it a major player in the effort, refuses to accept the
DFARS clause 252.204-7000, Disclosure of Information. You want to include this clause, which typically
goes in solicitations and contracts when the contractor will have access to or generate unclassified
information that may be sensitive or inappropriate for release to the public. With the inclusion of this
clause, the prime and its subs will be prohibited from releasing potentially sensitive information without
your permission. The university has advised the prime they feel so strongly that this clause would impair
their academic freedom '.. that the - ANSWER-A) Public ~w 98-94, sets forth policies, procedures and
Contracting Officer Warrant Board Exam 2025 — Federal
Acquisition Study Guide, Sample Questions & Certification Review
Prepare for the Contracting Officer Warrant Board Exam 2025 with a complete study guide,
sample questions, and acquisition review materials. Master key topics in FAR regulations,
procurement integrity, contract management, and federal acquisition decision-making to
earn your Contracting Officer Warrant successfully.
• Contracting Officer Warrant Board Exam 2025
• Federal Contracting Officer Warrant study guide
• CO Warrant Board sample questions
You are the PCO for an ACAT 1 competition estimated at $1.5B. The PM is drafting the source selection
schedule. Talk about what independent and clearance review are required and when.
clearance/question 009 - ANSWER-You will have MIRT at the five Critical Decision Points: 1) Review Draft
ASP/AP; 2) Review RFP; 3) Review Draft Competitive Range Briefing or Award w/o Discussion; 4) Review
Draft FPR and 5) Review Draft SSD Brief. PEER Reviews are also required on actions > $1B. They would
review at three CDP: 1) Pre-RFP; 2) Before request for FPR; 3) pre-award
What is the purpose of ratification and what conditions must first be met? - ANSWER-A ratification is the
act of approving an unauthorized commitment. Unauthorized commitments may be ratified only when
the conditions of FAR 1.602-3(c) are met.a) Use of appropriated funds
b) Provided to or accepted by the Government - received a benefit
c) Ratification official has the authority to ratify
d) Resulting contract must otherwise be proper
e) Price must be fair & reasonable
,2|Page
f) Funds are available and were available at the time the action occurred
g) The CO recommends payments
h) It is IAW other requirements and limitations
You are the Contracting Officer on a program where the contractor has recently submitted a very large
claim based on a constructive change to the contract. The claim is based on direction that the Colonel,
the Group Commander of the program, allegedly gave the contractor. The contractor maintains it was a
constructive change to the contract. You find out from the Colonel's secretary that he is going out to the
contractor's facility next week to meet with corporate management about the claim. You make inquiries
and find out that nobody from the program's contracting division or JAG will be accompanying the
colonel. What should you do? - ANSWER-Authority: FAR 43.104 / FAR 52.243-7
A constructive change is sometimes called a 'change by implication' and occurs when the Government,
by its actions, changes the contract without specifically adhering to the requirements of the 'Changes'
clause. A constructive change order has been defined as an oral or written act or omission by the
Contracting Officer or other authorized Government official, which is of such a nature that it has the
same effect as a formal written change order under the Changes clause.
You should notify you supervisor immediately and brief them on the situation. You should also express
concern over not being involved in the situation and concern that the Colonel might be compromising
the Government's position in this matter. You should recommend to your boss that the Group COCO
should ask the colonel either to take along his PCO and JAG or cancel the trip altogether. If the colonel
refuses, then the COCO should elevate the matter by alerting the SCCO and the JAG office.
What is consideration? How would you address consideration on a Fixed Price type contract being
modified to include additional Government Furnished Property (GFP) (e.g., not part of the original
contract), and what is your reasoning? How would you address consideration on a Cost type contract
being modified to include additional GFP (e.g. not part of the original contract), and what is your
reasoning?
legal/010 - ANSWER-Consideration is the inducement to a contract: the cause, motive, price, or
impelling influence that leads a party to enter a contract. A binding contract requires an offer,
acceptance of the offer, and consideration. Consideration generally requires two elements: (1)
something must be given that the law regards as of sufficient legal value for the purpose - either a
benefit to the seller or a detriment to the buyer, and (2) the something (benefit or detriment of legal
value) must be dealt with by the parties as the agreed-uponm price or exchange for the promise - there
must be a "bargained-for exchange." The requirement for consideration does not require that what is
relied upon for consideration be equivalent in value to the promise; the consideration need only have
"some value."
,3|Page
For Fixed Price: After determining the estimated value of the GFP, you would add something of value to
the contract (i.e., additional within scope capability, an additional study, additional hours) in order to re-
establish the original "balance" of the contractual consideration.
For Cost Type: Textbook answer and preference is to reduce the base fee. After determining the
extimated value of the GFP, you would get a reduction in the base fee on a cost type contract (if there is
a base fee). This is because the GFP, in effect, reduces the estimated cost of the contract and therefore
the fee associated with it should also be reduced. This re-establishes the original "balance" of the
contractual consideration. In real life, if the value of the GFP is nominal and it is impractical to reduce
the fee - you have a few other alternatives: requesting something of nominal value (additional copies of
a report), documenting the file that your produce will be enhanced given the use of GFP or document
the file that consideration was obtained through "cos
You are working a $100M acquisition. The price analyst has received business clearance with 5%
latitude. You reach a point where you don't feel you can go any further but are still well within your
latitude. The PM suggests the team should just use the rest of our latitude in order to get it done. What
do you do?
clearance/question 009 - ANSWER-Just because you have the latitude doesn't mean you should use it.
The price still has to be fair and reasonable. Any move you make regarding price should be related to
additional information you receive from the contractor or changes in risk. You have to be able to write
to and support your final price agreement.
What are MIRTs/Peer Reviews, tell me all you know. What are they, Purpose, threshold, team
composition, and when required?
clearance/question 009 - ANSWER-Multi-functional Integrated Review Teams are now required by AFMC
policy (subpart 5301.90) to augment clearance procedures. The MIRTs are required at specified Critical
Decision Points (CDPs): a) to review DRAFT ASP or Acq Plan, b) to review DRAFT Sections L & M, c) to
review DRAFT IEB or DRAFT Award document (if awarding w/out discussions, d) to review DRAFT FPR
request, and e) to review DRAFT SSDD. Membership must be made of cross-functional experts such as:
technical or requirements activity (PM/EN/A1/A5), Legal representative, contracting activity (CO, chief
of policy, etc). Membership shall not consist of anyone on the SSET. Typically no A&AS are included on
MIRTs. AFFARS MPs 5301.9001(b) (2) - competitive acquisitions >=$50M meeting the criteria at AFFARS
5301.90 or whenever the CAA wants a MIRT, but mostly just pre-award and competitive actions. Peer
reviews are a DoD policy, issued by DPAP for >=$1B efforts, applies to pre and post-award actions.
, 4|Page
You are the Contracting Officer in a major weapon system program. The program is under a lot of
pressure to get through flight test and into production. There are cost overruns. Numerous IPTs are
working with the contractor. The engineers are meeting regularly with the contractor and making
decisions on how to accomplish flight test. Senior Program Management is working with the contractor's
management group deciding how to get to production. Decisions are not getting documented. No PCO
letters have been issued for over six months. What do you do? - ANSWER-Authority: FAR 43.202
There seems to be a major communications breakdown. It appears that many folks may have given
constructive changes to the contractor. You should communicate to both Government and contractor
personnel that no one is authorized to give direction or take action on a decision unless they receive a
PCOL. You need to try to document the past agreements/decisions, etc. that have been made, on both
sides, and bring the contract up to date to reflect these things. You may also need to prepare for an
eventual claim from the contractor. The PCO is the only one authorized to make a change to a contract,
unless it's been delegated to the ACO, per FAR 43.202.
You receive notification from the Contractor they will submit a new CDRL based on request by Lead
Engineer on your contract. The KTR will be sending an invoice since this CDRL is at additional cost. What
are the ramifications of this notification and what actions would you take? - ANSWER-IDENTIFY
POSSIBLE RATIFICATION (Ratification Processing Procedures)
1) Conduct CO Investigation
2) write determination (within 30 days)
3) would the CO mod the contract (scope determination)
4) Legal Opinion
5) Were funds available
6) Ratification on Mod
7) Thresholds for Ratification approval is <30K by COCO; if >$30K by SCCO or HCA
Q1: Disclosure of Information. You are the PCO negotiating a multi-million dollar, non-classified,
research effort, on a tight schedule, with a large business as prime. Near the end of negotiations, the
prospective contractor advises you that one of its subcontractors, a university whose unique capabilities
render it a major player in the effort, refuses to accept the
DFARS clause 252.204-7000, Disclosure of Information. You want to include this clause, which typically
goes in solicitations and contracts when the contractor will have access to or generate unclassified
information that may be sensitive or inappropriate for release to the public. With the inclusion of this
clause, the prime and its subs will be prohibited from releasing potentially sensitive information without
your permission. The university has advised the prime they feel so strongly that this clause would impair
their academic freedom '.. that the - ANSWER-A) Public ~w 98-94, sets forth policies, procedures and
