1. An interested party can file a protest at:
A. The agency, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the United States (U.S.) District Court of Claims
B. The agency, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the United States (U.S.) District Court
C. The agency, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the United States (U.S.) Court of Federal Claims Correct
D. The agency head, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the United States (U.S.) Court of Claims
Explanation
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.
2. For the purpose of filing a protest, an interested party is described as:
A. A United States (U.S.) Congressional delegate who believes FAR policy is not being followed
B. Any small business
C. An offeror whose direct economic interest would be affected by the award of a contract or by the failure to award a contract Correct
D. An incumbent contractor who went out of business
Explanation
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.
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?
A. District Court of Contract Claims Correct
B. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
C. Agency (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc.)
D. United States (U.S.) Court of Federal Claims
Explanation
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.
4. Pending a final resolution of any claim arising under, or relating to, the contract, a contractor is obligated to:
A. Continue contract performance Correct
B. Notify its subcontractors to file an independent claim against the Government
C. Suspend contract performance
D. File an appeal with the General Accountability Office
Explanation
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.
5. When acquiring commercial items, the Government:
A. Relies on contractors’ existing quality assurance systems Correct
B. Performs standard quality control
C. Requires contractors to implement Government quality assurance
D. Performs in-process inspections prior to items being tendered to the Government
Explanation
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.