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FAC-C Professional Contracting Certification

Practice Questions120 questions Study Guide

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: DAWIA Contracting Exam

150

Multiple-Choice Questions

FAI CON 3990V FAQ

70%

Minimum Passing Score

DAU / FAI / USAASC

Pass/Fail

Result Reporting

DAU CON 3990V

3 hours

Seat Time

DAU/WarU CON 3990V course details

Pearson VUE

Exam Delivery

Pearson VUE WarU page

80 CL/2 years

Certification Currency

DAU iCatalog certification standards

CON 3990V is a 150-question, closed-book, pass/fail Contracting Certification Exam delivered by Pearson VUE with a 70% minimum passing score and 3 hours of seat time. It supports DoD Contracting Professional Certification and civilian FAC-C (Professional), assesses initial readiness against the Contracting Common Technical Competencies, and draws most questions from core FAR parts with minimal DFARS references.

Sample DAWIA Contracting Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your DAWIA Contracting exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 178+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the best description of the FAR in a DoD contracting context?

A.The primary regulation containing uniform federal acquisition policies and procedures

B.A DoD-only supplement that replaces agency procedures

C.A budgeting statute that creates appropriations

D.A contractor accounting manual used after award

Explanation: The FAR is the governmentwide regulation for acquisition policies and procedures. DoD contracting personnel also use DFARS and component procedures, but those sources implement or supplement the FAR rather than replacing it.

2Which source generally supplements the FAR for Department of Defense acquisitions?

A.DFARS

B.UCC Article 2 only

C.OMB Circular A-87

D.Internal Revenue Code Subtitle C

Explanation: The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement implements and supplements the FAR for DoD contracting. A DAWIA contracting professional should know when a defense-specific rule adds to the FAR baseline.

3In FAR terminology, what does acquisition include?

A.Only placing an order after award

B.Only the legal review of a contract file

C.The process of acquiring supplies or services from identifying need through contract closeout

D.Only buying commercially available off-the-shelf items

Explanation: The FAR definition of acquisition is broad. It includes the process beginning when agency needs are established and continues through solicitation, award, administration, and closeout. It is not limited to the act of placing an order or buying commercial items.

4Which FAR principle encourages agencies to use commercial products and commercial services when they can meet the Government's need?

A.Minimize all exchanges with industry

B.Maximize use of commercial products and commercial services

C.Use sealed bidding for all complex acquisitions

D.Avoid market research until after solicitation release

Explanation: The FAR guiding principles emphasize satisfying customer needs while maximizing use of commercial products and commercial services. Market research and early industry exchanges help agencies determine whether commercial solutions are available. Sealed bidding is not mandatory for all acquisitions.

5What does closed-book mean for CON 3990V preparation?

A.Candidates cannot rely on reference materials during the exam and should know how to apply core rules from memory

B.Candidates may search FAR and DFARS during every question

C.Candidates can bring a personal acquisition notebook

D.Candidates only answer open-ended essay questions

Explanation: CON 3990V is closed book, so preparation must build recall and application judgment. Candidates should know the purpose of key FAR parts, contracting officer authorities, and common lifecycle decisions without searching references.

6What is the minimum passing score for CON 3990V?

A.70%

B.60%

C.80%

D.A scaled score of 500

Explanation: Official DAU and FAI materials identify 70% as the minimum passing score for CON 3990V. Candidates also receive a diagnostic report breaking down performance by competency area to guide further study.

7Why does FAR Part 5 require publicizing many proposed contract actions?

A.To reduce competition to familiar contractors

B.To increase competition and inform interested sources of Government requirements

C.To make all acquisition plans public

D.To allow offerors to rewrite the FAR

Explanation: Publicizing contract actions helps interested sources learn about Government requirements and promotes competition. It does not make every planning document public or alter regulatory requirements. FAR Part 5 works together with competition rules in FAR Part 6.

8What is the general competition standard in FAR Part 6?

A.Full and open competition unless an authorized exception applies

B.Negotiation with the incumbent whenever performance is acceptable

C.Award without competition whenever the requirement is urgent

D.Competition only for commercial products

Explanation: FAR Part 6 implements competition requirements and starts from the principle of full and open competition. Other than full and open competition requires an authorized exception and supporting justification. Urgency may support an exception, but it does not automatically eliminate all competition.

9Which activity best fits FAR Part 7 acquisition planning?

A.Starting planning only after proposals are received

B.Coordinating requirements, risks, schedule, competition, contract type, and funding strategy before solicitation

C.Letting offerors define the agency's mission need

D.Skipping market research when the requirement is complex

Explanation: Acquisition planning integrates technical, business, logistics, fiscal, and legal considerations before solicitation and award. It should address the requirement, competition approach, risks, schedule, contract type, and funding. Planning is especially important, not less important, when requirements are complex.

10Under FAR Part 8, supplies or services on the AbilityOne Procurement List are generally acquired from which source?

A.Any local small business without further analysis

B.The nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne program

C.Only foreign suppliers covered by trade agreements

D.Only the incumbent contractor

Explanation: FAR Subpart 8.7 covers acquisition from nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or severely disabled through the AbilityOne program. Items on the Procurement List are mandatory sources when applicable. This is separate from small business set-asides and incumbent preference.

About the DAWIA Contracting Exam

CON 3990V is the shared closed-book Contracting Certification Exam used for DoD Contracting Professional Certification and civilian FAC-C (Professional), with different authorization and retake administration by program.

Assessment

150 multiple-choice questions randomly selected from a comprehensive question bank; closed-book and proctored

Time Limit

3 hours seat time

Passing Score

70% minimum; pass/fail

Exam Fee

No direct candidate fee for authorized federal acquisition workforce candidates; exam seats are Government-funded (Warfighting Acquisition University and Federal Acquisition Institute, delivered by Pearson VUE)

DAWIA Contracting Exam Content Outline

Primary scope

Contracting Competency Model

Foundational readiness for DoD contracting professionals, including business acumen, communication, planning, award, administration, and lifecycle judgment.

Most exam questions

FAR-Based Acquisition Knowledge

FAR structure and selected parts covering definitions, ethics, competition, planning, market research, schedules, commercial acquisition, simplified acquisition, negotiated acquisition, contract types, small business, cost principles, disputes, administration, subcontracting, quality, and terminations.

Minimal exam references

DFARS Awareness

Defense-specific policy awareness where DFARS supplements FAR coverage for DoD contracting actions.

Scenario emphasis

Lifecycle Contracting

Applying contracting judgment from requirement definition and acquisition planning through source selection, award documentation, performance management, modifications, disputes, termination, and closeout.

How to Pass the DAWIA Contracting Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% minimum; pass/fail
Assessment: 150 multiple-choice questions randomly selected from a comprehensive question bank; closed-book and proctored
Time limit: 3 hours seat time
Exam fee: No direct candidate fee for authorized federal acquisition workforce candidates; exam seats are Government-funded

Keys to Passing

Work through all 178 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DAWIA Contracting Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build a FAR part map first; knowing where a rule lives is crucial on a closed-book exam.

2Practice scenarios by asking what the contracting officer should document, decide, approve, or escalate next.

3Separate price analysis, cost analysis, and cost realism; CON 3990V often rewards knowing which tool fits the contract type and data available.

4Treat DFARS as awareness-level unless a DoD-specific rule changes the contracting action.

5Use mixed timed sets after topic study because the real exam is broad, closed book, and scenario-driven.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CON 3990V exam?

FAI states that the CON 3990V Contracting Certification Exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions randomly selected from a comprehensive question bank.

Is the CON 3990V exam open book?

No. DAU, FAI, and Pearson VUE/WarU materials describe the exam as closed book; candidates may not reference subject materials during the exam.

What score do I need to pass CON 3990V?

The exam is graded on a pass/fail basis, and candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%.

Who delivers the CON 3990V exam?

The exam is delivered by Pearson VUE for WarU and FAI. Authorized candidates can test at Pearson Professional Centers, military test centers where available, or virtually through OnVUE when allowed.

What material is tested on CON 3990V?

FAI states the exam tests Contracting Common Technical Competencies, with most questions derived from the FAR and minimal DFARS references. Candidates should know the listed core FAR parts and lifecycle contracting tasks.

Is CON 3990V required for DoD Contracting Professional Certification?

Yes. DAU and USAASC state that successful completion of CON 3990V is a requirement to achieve the DoD Contracting Professional Certification for eligible Contracting functional-area personnel.

Is CON 3990V also used for FAC-C (Professional)?

Yes. FAI identifies CON 3990V as the required Contracting Certification Exam for eligible civilian FAC-C (Professional) candidates. They request authorization through FAI CSOD, receive four attempts with at least 30 days between attempts, and must complete agency-endorsed remediation before seeking another authorization after a fourth unsuccessful attempt.