Contracting Certification Exam Version 1
Practice exam for Contractor License Exams under Contractor Certification Exams (Licensing Exams). 5 sample questions.
Sample Questions
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Question 1
An interested party can file a protest at:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Protests are formal complaints about how a government contract was awarded. They can be filed with the agency awarding the contract, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which reviews federal spending, or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, a court that handles disputes involving government contracts. Option A is wrong because there’s no such thing as the 'District Court of Claims.' Option B is incorrect because regular U.S. District Courts don’t typically handle contract protests; that’s the role of the Court of Federal Claims. Option D is wrong because protests go to the agency as a whole, not just the agency head.
Rationale: Protests are formal complaints about how a government contract was awarded. They can be filed with the agency awarding the contract, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which reviews federal spending, or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, a court that handles disputes involving government contracts. Option A is wrong because there’s no such thing as the 'District Court of Claims.' Option B is incorrect because regular U.S. District Courts don’t typically handle contract protests; that’s the role of the Court of Federal Claims. Option D is wrong because protests go to the agency as a whole, not just the agency head.
Question 2
For the purpose of filing a protest, an interested party is described as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An interested party is someone who has a financial stake in the outcome of a contract award, like a company that bid on the contract and could lose money if it’s awarded unfairly or not awarded at all. Option A is incorrect because a Congressional delegate doesn’t have a direct financial interest in the contract. Option B is wrong because not every small business can protest—only those who bid and have something to lose financially. Option D is incorrect because a company that’s out of business no longer has a financial stake in the contract.
Rationale: An interested party is someone who has a financial stake in the outcome of a contract award, like a company that bid on the contract and could lose money if it’s awarded unfairly or not awarded at all. Option A is incorrect because a Congressional delegate doesn’t have a direct financial interest in the contract. Option B is wrong because not every small business can protest—only those who bid and have something to lose financially. Option D is incorrect because a company that’s out of business no longer has a financial stake in the contract.
Question 3
The owner of a company told a contracting officer they planned to file a protest. Which of the following four venues is the wrong venue?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The District Court of Contract Claims doesn’t exist, so it’s not a valid place to file a protest. Protests can go to the agency managing the contract, the GAO, or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Option B is incorrect because the GAO is a proper place to file. Option C is incorrect because the agency is a valid venue. Option D is incorrect because the Court of Federal Claims is also a valid venue.
Rationale: The District Court of Contract Claims doesn’t exist, so it’s not a valid place to file a protest. Protests can go to the agency managing the contract, the GAO, or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Option B is incorrect because the GAO is a proper place to file. Option C is incorrect because the agency is a valid venue. Option D is incorrect because the Court of Federal Claims is also a valid venue.
Question 4
Pending a final resolution of any claim arising under, or relating to, the contract, a contractor is obligated to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When there’s a dispute or claim about a contract, the contractor must keep working on the contract unless told otherwise by the government. This prevents delays in government projects. Option B is wrong because subcontractors can’t file claims directly against the government; they have to go through the main contractor. Option C is incorrect because stopping work without permission could breach the contract. Option D is wrong because the GAO handles protests about contract awards, not claims about ongoing contract disputes.
Rationale: When there’s a dispute or claim about a contract, the contractor must keep working on the contract unless told otherwise by the government. This prevents delays in government projects. Option B is wrong because subcontractors can’t file claims directly against the government; they have to go through the main contractor. Option C is incorrect because stopping work without permission could breach the contract. Option D is wrong because the GAO handles protests about contract awards, not claims about ongoing contract disputes.
Question 5
When acquiring commercial items, the Government:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When buying commercial items, like off-the-shelf products, the government trusts the contractor’s existing quality checks, as these items are already made for the commercial market. This saves time and money. Option B is wrong because the government doesn’t use its own standard quality control for commercial items. Option C is incorrect because forcing contractors to use government-specific quality checks defeats the purpose of buying commercial products. Option D is wrong because routine in-process inspections aren’t typical for commercial items unless specifically required.
Rationale: When buying commercial items, like off-the-shelf products, the government trusts the contractor’s existing quality checks, as these items are already made for the commercial market. This saves time and money. Option B is wrong because the government doesn’t use its own standard quality control for commercial items. Option C is incorrect because forcing contractors to use government-specific quality checks defeats the purpose of buying commercial products. Option D is wrong because routine in-process inspections aren’t typical for commercial items unless specifically required.