FAR Part 1 Deck 1 Flashcards
(111 cards)
1
Q
What is the purpose of the Federal Acquisition Regulations System?
A
To codify and publish uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all executive agencies.
2
Q
What does the Federal Acquisition Regulations System consist of?
A
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR.
3
Q
What is the vision for the Federal Acquisition System?
A
To deliver the best value product or service to the customer while maintaining the public’s trust.
4
Q
What are the key performance standards for the Federal Acquisition System?
A
Satisfy the customer in terms of cost, quality, and timeliness.
5
Q
Who are the principal customers of the Federal Acquisition System?
A
The users and line managers acting on behalf of the American taxpayer.
6
Q
Fill in the blank: The Acquisition Team consists of all participants in Government acquisition, including _______.
A
[customers and contractors]
7
Q
What is the role of each member of the Acquisition Team?
A
To exercise personal initiative and sound business judgment in providing the best value product or service.
8
Q
True or False: The Federal Acquisition Regulations System includes internal agency guidance.
A
False
9
Q
What should the Government maximize in meeting its requirements?
A
The use of commercial products and commercial services.
10
Q
What is the policy regarding competition in the acquisition process?
A
To promote competition.
11
Q
What is the requirement for rules, regulations, and policies in the System?
hint- the X must outweight Y
A
Their benefits must clearly exceed the costs of their development, implementation, administration, and enforcement.
12
Q
What must all members of the Acquisition Team do regarding planning?
A
Employ planning as an integral part of the overall process of acquiring products or services.
13
Q
The FAR is published in which formats?
A
- Daily issue of the Federal Register
- Cumulated form in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
- A separate edition available online
14
Q
What does the FAR outline?
A
Procurement policies and procedures used by members of the Acquisition Team.
15
Q
What does the CO do?
What is it that a CO does?
A
Determines the application of rules, regulations, and policies on a specific contract.
16
Q
What is the purpose of defining the Acquisition Team in the Guiding Principles?
A
To ensure that participants in the System are identified and to encourage teamwork and open communication.
17
Q
What should the Government’s approach to risk be?
A
Shift from risk avoidance to risk management.
18
Q
What are the two councils responsible for the development of the FAR System?
A
- Acquisition Council
- General Services Administration
19
Q
What does the FAR not apply to?
A
Acquisitions that are expressly excluded.
20
Q
What is the FAR’s chapter number in the CFR?
A
Chapter 1 of Title 48.
21
Q
What is the numbering system in the FAR used for?
A
To permit the discrete identification of every FAR paragraph.
22
Q
Fill in the blank: The FAR is issued as Chapter 1 of Title 48, CFR, and subsequent chapters are reserved for _______.
A
[agency acquisition regulations]
23
Q
What must contracting officers communicate with industry about?
A
Capabilities available in the marketplace.
24
Q
What is the FAR’s stance on fairness and openness?
A
It requires maintaining the public’s trust through integrity, fairness, and open communication.
25
What does FAR stand for?
Federal Acquisition Regulation
## Footnote
FAR governs the acquisition process by which the federal government purchases goods and services.
26
Which act requires federal agencies to obtain approval from OMB before collecting information from 10 or more members of the public?
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
## Footnote
This act aims to minimize the burden of federal paperwork on the public.
27
What is the purpose of OMB control numbers in the FAR?
To identify approved information collection and recordkeeping requirements
## Footnote
Each control number corresponds to specific sections of the FAR.
28
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 14.205?
9000-0037
29
True or False: The FAR can be purchased from the Government Publishing Office.
True
30
Fill in the blank: The OMB Control Number for FAR segment 15.201(c) is _______.
9000-0037
31
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 15.305(a)(2)(ii)?
9000-0142
32
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 22.8?
1250-0003
33
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.204-3?
9000-0189
34
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.212-3(b)?
9000-0189
35
Fill in the blank: The OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.216-2 is _______.
9000-0067
36
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.219-29?
3245-0374
37
List three OMB Control Numbers related to FAR segment 52.222.
* 9000-0066
* 1235-0023
* 1250-0003
38
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.225-4?
9000-0024
39
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.227-2?
9000-0095
40
What is the OMB Control Number for FAR segment 52.236-5?
9000-0064
41
How can copies of the FAR in CFR form be obtained?
Purchased from the Government Publishing Office
42
What is the significance of OMB Control Numbers in the context of federal regulations?
They indicate which information collections have been approved by the OMB.
43
True or False: FAR segments have unique OMB Control Numbers.
True
44
What is important about certifications according to 41 U.S.C. 1304?
A new requirement for a certification by a contractor or offeror may not be included unless specifically imposed by statute or justified in writing.
45
What do the FAR conventions state about definitions?
Definitions in part 2 apply to the entire regulation unless specifically defined otherwise.
46
True or False: Every authority in the FAR is delegable.
True
47
How are dollar thresholds determined in the FAR?
They are based on the final anticipated dollar value of the action, including all options.
48
Fill in the blank: FAR changes apply to solicitations issued on or after the _______.
[effective date of the change]
49
What does 41 U.S.C. 1908 require regarding acquisition-related dollar thresholds?
Periodic adjustments for inflation every 5 years using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
50
What is the definition of an acquisition-related dollar threshold?
A dollar threshold specified in law that defines the scope of applicability to procurement of supplies or services.
51
What does the statute not permit regarding the escalation of acquisition-related dollar thresholds?
It does not permit escalation as established by specified U.S. codes related to bonds, wage rate requirements, and service contract labor standards.
52
What is the significance of Public Law 107-217?
It revised, codified, and enacted certain general and permanent laws of the United States as title 40, U.S. Code.
53
What is the role of the FAR Secretariat?
Responsible for publishing and distributing the FAR and providing centralized services to the two councils.
54
Who is responsible for agency compliance with the FAR?
The Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services, and the Administrator of NASA.
55
What actions can agency heads take regarding agency acquisition regulations?
They may issue or authorize regulations that implement or supplement the FAR.
56
What must agency acquisition regulations ensure compliance with (what two acts)?
The Paperwork Reduction Act and the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
57
What limitations are placed on agency acquisition regulations?
They must implement FAR policies and not conflict with FAR content.
58
What does the term 'deviation' mean in the context of the FAR?
Any policy, procedure, or practice inconsistent with the FAR.
59
What is an example of a deviation from the FAR?
The omission of a required solicitation provision or contract clause.
60
What is the role of the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (DAR Council)?
To prepare and issue revisions to the FAR related to defense acquisitions.
61
What is the significance of the Consumer Price Index in FAR adjustments?
It is used to calculate periodic adjustments for inflation of acquisition-related dollar thresholds.
62
How often must the FAR Council adjust statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds?
Every 5 years.
63
What does the FAR require regarding public comment for agency regulations?
Agency regulations must be published for comment if they have a significant effect beyond internal procedures.
64
What is the purpose of the Regulatory Flexibility Act?
To ensure that agencies analyze the impact of proposed regulations on small entities.
65
What must agencies do when adopting acquisition regulations?
Ensure compliance with the FAR and publish significant regulations in the Federal Register.
66
What does the FAR say about the use of imperative sentences?
| who is responsible?
The contracting officer is responsible for the action unless another party is cited.
67
What is a deviation from the FAR?
A deviation from the FAR is a grant of permission to not follow the FAR as specified when necessary to meet specific agency needs.
68
What are the two types of deviations mentioned?
Individual deviations and class deviations.
69
Who may authorize individual deviations?
The agency head.
70
What is a class deviation?
A class deviation affects more than one contract action and requires agency heads to propose a FAR revision if permanent.
71
True or False: Class deviations can be authorized below the head of a contracting activity.
False.
72
What must civilian agencies do with each approved class deviation?
Furnish a copy to the FAR Secretariat.
73
What is meant by 'significant revisions' in the context of the FAR?
Revisions that alter the substantive meaning of coverage and have a significant cost or administrative impact.
74
How long is the public comment period for proposed significant revisions?
A minimum of 30 days, typically at least 60 days.
75
What is the definition of 'unauthorized commitment'?
An agreement not binding due to the lack of authority of the Government representative who made it.
76
What is the role of a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)?
To assist in the technical monitoring or administration of a contract.
77
Fill in the blank: The agency head has the authority to establish a _______ for procurement career management.
procurement career management program.
78
What must be documented for each contract by the COR?
contracting officer’s letter of designation and
documentation of COR actions.
79
What is a Determination and Findings (D&F)?
A special form of written approval required by statute or regulation as a prerequisite to certain contract actions.
80
What are the two components of a Determination and Findings?
The determination (a conclusion) and the findings (statements of fact or rationale).
81
What should agencies do to avoid the need for ratification actions?
Take positive action to preclude unauthorized commitments.
82
True or False: The ratification authority can be delegated below the chief of the contracting office.
False.
83
What is required for a ratification of an unauthorized commitment to occur?
The supplies or services must be provided and accepted by the Government.
84
What actions should the contracting officer take regarding the limits of their own authority?
| what do they need to be sure contractors know
Ensure clear instructions in writing regarding the limits of their authority.
85
What is the purpose of consulting with the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAA Council)?
To ensure proper authorization before a class deviation is made.
86
Fill in the blank: Contracts may only be entered into and signed on behalf of the Government by _______.
contracting officers.
87
What is the requirement for the appointment of contracting officers?
They must be appointed in writing on an SF 1402, Certificate of Appointment.
88
What should the file maintained by the COR include?
Duties and responsibilities,
Contract administration functions,
and Actions taken.
89
What is the significance of the FAR Secretariat in terms of deviations?
Copies of authorized deviations must be transmitted to the FAR Secretariat.
90
What must be considered when selecting contracting officers?
Complexity and dollar value of acquisitions, candidate’s experience, training, and reputation.
91
True or False: Contracting officers are allowed to make changes that affect the price of contracts and associated terms and to direct the contractor
False.
| while CO's may initiate a modification, per FAR 1.602-2 Responsibilities
## Footnote
as no authority to make any commitments or changes that affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or other terms and conditions of the contract nor in any way direct the contractor or its subcontractors to operate in conflict with the contract terms and conditions;
92
What does D&F stand for?
Determination and Findings
93
What is the purpose of a Determination and Findings (D&F)?
It is a special form of written approval by an authorized official required by statute or regulation for certain contract actions.
94
What are the two main components of a D&F?
The 'determination' (conclusion) and the 'findings' (facts to support the conclusion).
95
What is a 'determination' in the context of a D&F?
A conclusion or decision supported by the findings.
96
What are 'findings' in a D&F?
Statements of fact or rationale essential to support the determination.
97
True or False: A D&F is usually for a class of contract actions.
False
98
What type of D&F may be executed for classes of contract actions?
Class D&F's
99
What does a class D&F provide authority for?
A class of contract actions.
100
What must the findings in a class D&F support?
The proposed action either for the class as a whole or for each action.
101
What is required in each D&F regarding the agency and contracting activity?
| (think very basic)
They must both be identified
102
What should a D&F include about the action being approved?
Nature and/or description of the action.
103
What must be cited in a D&F?
The appropriate statute and/or regulation upon which the D&F is based.
104
What type of documentation is necessary for the findings in a D&F?
Necessary supporting documentation from appropriate requirements and technical personnel.
105
What happens if a D&F is superseded by another D&F?
The action taken under the original D&F prior to supersession remains valid.
106
When does authority to act under an individual D&F expire?
When it is exercised or on an expiration date specified in the document.
107
When does authority to act under a class D&F expire?
On the expiration date specified in the document.
108
What is required for a D&F regarding the signature?
It must be signed by the appropriate official in accordance with agency regulations.
109
Fill in the blank: A class D&F shall be for a specified _______.
period
110
What should be included in the findings of a D&F?
Detailed circumstances, facts, or reasoning essential to support the determination.
111
What authority does a CO have?
(a)Contracting officers have authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. Contracting officers may bind the Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them. (FAR 1.6)
