2.3 FAR Part Title Map for CON 3990V
Key Takeaways
- CON 3990V expects title recognition and one-line substance for the official FAR Parts list used in contracting certification
- Parts 1–2 are the system and dictionary; Parts 5–8, 10, 12–13, 15–16, and 19 dominate pre-award pathway selection
- Parts 31, 33, 42, 44, 46, and 49 anchor price/cost principles, disagreements, administration, subcontracting, quality, and termination
- WarU/FAI emphasize knowing Part titles closed-book—pair each number with a short substance phrase, not full text memorization
- Use lifecycle clustering (guiding rules → pre-award → award → post-award) as the primary memory system for the part map
WarU and FAI materials emphasize that CON 3990V candidates should know FAR Part titles and what each Part is for—without opening the book. You are not expected to recite every subsection, but you are expected to map a scenario to the correct Part family instantly. This section is your closed-book title map for the official CON 3990V FAR list.
How to Use This Map
For each Part, lock three things:
- Number (e.g., 15)
- Official title (Contracting by Negotiation)
- One-line substance (competitive negotiation, source selection, discussions, award decision documentation)
Then practice translating exam stems: "Which Part governs…?" or "The CO should look to…" become title-recognition items.
Official CON 3990V FAR Part Title Map
| Part | Official Title | One-line substance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Federal Acquisition Regulations System | System purpose, authority, structure, deviations, acquisition team, and how the FAR is issued and maintained |
| 2 | Definitions of Words and Terms | Controlling definitions (acquisition, CO, contract, commercial, solicitation, offer, thresholds concepts, etc.) that switch procedures |
| 3 | Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest | Ethics, gratuities, conflicts, contingent fees, and integrity rules that protect public trust |
| 4 | Administrative and Information Matters | Contract execution/administration paperwork themes, reporting, records, and related administrative requirements |
| 5 | Publicizing Contract Actions | Synopsis/publicizing rules so the marketplace can see opportunities and promote competition |
| 6 | Competition Requirements | Full and open competition baseline, exceptions, and justification/approval discipline for other than full and open |
| 7 | Acquisition Planning | Planning the buy—strategy, documents, and team coordination before soliciting |
| 8 | Required Sources of Supplies and Services | Mandatory/priority source considerations before open-market buying |
| 10 | Market Research | Collecting and analyzing marketplace information to shape requirements and strategy |
| 12 | Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services | Policies and procedures for buying commercial products/services with more commercial-like practices |
| 13 | Simplified Acquisition Procedures | Streamlined methods for acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (when authorized) |
| 15 | Contracting by Negotiation | Competitive negotiation, source selection, discussions, proposal evaluation architecture |
| 16 | Types of Contracts | Selecting and structuring fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, incentive, indefinite-delivery, and related types |
| 19 | Small Business Programs | Set-asides, socioeconomic programs, and small business participation policies |
| 31 | Contract Cost Principles and Procedures | Allowability, allocability, and reasonableness concepts for cost determinations |
| 33 | Protests, Disputes, and Appeals | Bid protests and disputes/appeals framework (including CDA-related concepts in the disputes arena) |
| 42 | Contract Administration and Audit Services | Post-award administration functions, oversight interfaces, and related admin/audit support concepts |
| 44 | Subcontracting Policies and Procedures | Consent, advance notification, and subcontracting management policies |
| 46 | Quality Assurance | Government QA, inspection, acceptance, and quality surveillance concepts |
| 49 | Termination of Contracts | Termination for convenience and default (cause) and related settlement concepts |
Note: Other FAR Parts exist in the full regulation. CON 3990V preparation prioritizes the list above for title/substance mastery tied to the contracting competency model. Later chapters deepen the high-use Parts.
Lifecycle Clustering (Memory System)
Memorize by mission phase, not random numeric order alone.
Cluster A — System & Integrity (always on)
| Parts | Memory phrase |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | "Rules of the road + dictionary" |
| 3 | "Don't cheat the system" |
| 4 | "Paperwork and admin backbone" |
These appear across Guiding Principles: standards of conduct, documentation, roles, and definition-driven decisions.
Cluster B — Pre-Award Pathway
| Parts | Memory phrase |
|---|---|
| 7 + 10 | "Plan and research before you buy" |
| 5 + 6 | "Publicize and compete (unless exception)" |
| 8 | "Check required sources first" |
| 12 + 13 | "Commercial and simplified fast lanes (when definitions/thresholds allow)" |
| 15 | "Negotiate and select when formal competition needs proposal evaluation" |
| 19 | "Small business lens on the strategy" |
Pre-Award questions often chain these: market research informs the plan; the plan drives competition approach; publicizing follows; commercial/simplified/negotiation selection depends on definitions and value; small business and required sources can redirect.
Cluster C — Award Economics & Structure
| Parts | Memory phrase |
|---|---|
| 16 | "Pick the right contract type for risk" |
| 31 | "Cost principles when cost analysis/allowability matters" |
| 15 (again) | "Price/cost evaluation and source selection mechanics" |
Award-phase items on price/cost analysis, negotiation objectives, and type selection live here.
Cluster D — Disagreement & Post-Award
| Parts | Memory phrase |
|---|---|
| 33 | "Protests and disputes" |
| 42 | "Administer the contract" |
| 44 | "Manage subcontracts" |
| 46 | "Ensure quality" |
| 49 | "Terminate when needed" |
Post-Award and Manage Disagreements competencies map cleanly onto 33/42/44/46/49.
Closed-Book Memory Techniques
1. Title flash pairs (30-second drill)
Say aloud: "Six—Competition Requirements—full and open baseline." "Thirteen—Simplified Acquisition Procedures—streamlined under SAT." "Forty-nine—Termination of Contracts—convenience and default." Speed beats perfection; accuracy of title is the goal.
2. Number story for easy confusions
Candidates often swap nearby numbers. Use contrast cards:
| Don't confuse | Because |
|---|---|
| 5 vs 6 | 5 = tell the market (publicize); 6 = compete (competition requirements) |
| 7 vs 10 | 7 = acquisition planning; 10 = market research feeding the plan |
| 12 vs 13 | 12 = commercial products/services policy; 13 = simplified procedures by threshold/method |
| 15 vs 16 | 15 = how you negotiate/select; 16 = what contract type you use |
| 42 vs 46 | 42 = administration/audit services; 46 = quality assurance |
| 44 vs 49 | 44 = subcontracting policies; 49 = terminations |
| 31 vs 33 | 31 = cost principles; 33 = protests/disputes/appeals |
3. One-verb anchors
Attach a single verb to each Part:
- 1 Govern · 2 Define · 3 Protect integrity · 4 Administer records · 5 Publicize · 6 Compete · 7 Plan · 8 Prefer required sources · 10 Research · 12 Buy commercial · 13 Simplify · 15 Negotiate · 16 Type · 19 Small-business · 31 Cost-principle · 33 Protest/dispute · 42 Administer · 44 Subcontract · 46 Assure quality · 49 Terminate
If you can recover the verb, you can usually recover the title.
4. Scenario → Part tagging
After each practice question, write the Part number you should have used—even if you got the item right for the wrong reason. Pattern-tagging builds the closed-book reflex WarU/FAI expect.
5. Two-minute map redraw
From memory, redraw the table of Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 31, 33, 42, 44, 46, 49 with titles only. Check against this section. Repeat until you can complete it without hesitation.
Exam Application Patterns
| Stem flavor | First Part(s) to consider |
|---|---|
| Gift, conflict, kickback, improper influence | 3 |
| "Do we have to publicize?" | 5 (with 6 competition context) |
| Sole source / limited sources rationale | 6 |
| Strategy before solicitation | 7, 10 |
| AbilityOne / mandatory source questions | 8 |
| Commercial item clause set / commercial procedures | 12 (+ definitions in 2) |
| Under SAT streamlined buy | 13 |
| Discussions, competitive range, proposal evaluation | 15 |
| FFP vs CPFF vs IDIQ selection | 16 |
| Rule of two / set-aside | 19 |
| Allowable cost dispute themes | 31 |
| GAO protest timing/process themes | 33 |
| COR admin / contract admin office roles | 42 |
| Consent to subcontract | 44 |
| Inspection/acceptance/QA surveillance | 46 |
| T4C vs T4D | 49 |
What Title Recognition Is—and Is Not
Is: Fast mapping from scenario → Part title → correct procedural family.
Is not: Memorizing every dollar threshold, every clause number, or DFARS PGI minutiae. Minimal DFARS awareness still sits on top of FAR titles: know the FAR Part first, then consider DoD overlays when the stem is clearly DoD-unique.
Integration With the Rest of This Guide
Later chapters expand these Parts in lifecycle order. Chapter 2's job is different: install the map. If you can name the Part titles cold, every subsequent section has a labeled shelf to sit on—exactly what a closed-book, 150-question certification exam rewards.
Final anchor
Titles first, details second. CON 3990V will not hand you the FAR. Carry the part map in your head, and the rest of the content becomes retrieval instead of invention.
Which FAR Part title correctly matches Part 6?
A scenario focuses on termination for convenience versus termination for default. Which FAR Part is the primary title map hit?
Which pairing correctly distinguishes FAR Part 12 from FAR Part 13 for closed-book title recognition?
According to WarU/FAI-oriented CON 3990V preparation guidance emphasized in this chapter, what level of FAR Part knowledge is most critical for the closed-book exam?