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NEW QUESTION # 73
Which of the following are likely to be express terms in a contract?
1. Legislation
2. Custom and practice
3. Contract particulars
4. Terms and conditions

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 4 only
• D. 3 and 4 only

Answer: D

Explanation:
Express terms are the terms of the agreement which are expressly agreed between the parties. Ideally, they will be written down in a contract between the parties but where the contract is agreed verbally, they will be the terms discussed and agreed between the parties.
The types of express terms to be found in a contract are many and varied and will depend on the type of contract. Any term written into the contract is an express term and may refer to price, time scales, warranties and indemnities, limitations on liability, conditions precedent and so on.
Reference:
- Contracts: Express and Implied Terms
- CIPS study guide page 32
LO 1, AC 1.2

NEW QUESTION # 74
Which of the following are reasons why a purchaser wants to embed a subcontracting clause into the main contract? Select TWO that apply:

• A. To reduce the main contract complexity
• B. To keep main contractor liable
• C. To improve supply chain transparency
• D. To condemn whole liabilities to subcontractors
• E. To induce the conflicts between the main contractor and subcontractors

Answer: B

Explanation:
There are number of reasons why the purchaser will want to control the supplier's subcontracting:
- Supply chain transparency: Normally the purchaser has invested a lot of effort into selecting the right contractor. However, the main contractor's selection of subcontractor might not be in such careful manner, which may result in poor performance. Purchaser must know who subcontractors are. Controlling the subcontracting process can help the purchaser control the outcome.
- Contract terms: the purchaser's requirements must be reflected in the subcontracts. The subcontracting clauses may require the main contractor to do this.
- Liability: the main contractor may subcontract the whole or a part of its liabilities. Subcontracting clause may bind the contractor to be liable with the work, it cannot just blame the subcontractor for any faults.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.2

NEW QUESTION # 75
Since services are intangible, so KPIs for services must be qualitative in all circumstances. Is this statement correct?

• A. Yes, the only measure mattered to supply of services is end-users' satisfaction
• B. No, KPIs for services must always be quantitative so that they can be measured easily
• C. No, some KPIs for services are measurable by means of outcome, time and space performed
• D. Yes, quantitative KPIs are limited to timeliness of supply of goods, defective rates and in-full quantities, which are applied to monitor supplier of physical goods

Answer: C

Explanation:
KPIs are used to monitor supplier's performance. They can be qualitative or quantitative. Of course, service providers can be monitored by quantitative KPIs regarding the outcome achieved (such as uptime in IT contracts), timeliness of deliveries (such as in construction contracts)...
Reference:
LO 2, AC 2.2

NEW QUESTION # 76
In which of the following section of a specification, requirements for training to use the equipment will be set out?

• A. Consultation requirements
• B. Implementation
• C. Performance
• D. Issue reference

Answer: B

Explanation:
Implementation is a substantive requirement which covers the following areas:
- Will there be a need to train the staff to use the equipment?
- Are there integration requirements with other systems or processes?
- How will this work?
- What are the timescales?
- Are detailed method statements required?
Consultation requirements regards to explicitness of compliance with any national or local legal requirements Reference:
LO 2, AC 2.1

NEW QUESTION # 77
Which of the following are reasons why a purchaser wants to embed a subcontracting clause into the main contract? Select TWO that apply:

• A. To reduce the main contract complexity
• B. To keep main contractor liable
• C. To improve supply chain transparency
• D. To condemn whole liabilities to subcontractors
• E. To induce the conflicts between the main contractor and subcontractors

Answer: B,C

Explanation:
There are number of reasons why the purchaser will want to control the supplier's subcontracting:
- Supply chain transparency: Normally the purchaser has invested a lot of effort into selecting the right contractor. However, the main contractor's selection of subcontractor might not be in such careful manner, which may result in poor performance. Purchaser must know who subcontractors are. Controlling the subcontracting process can help the purchaser control the outcome.
- Contract terms: the purchaser's requirements must be reflected in the subcontracts. The subcontracting clauses may require the main contractor to do this.
- Liability: the main contractor may subcontract the whole or a part of its liabilities. Subcontracting clause may bind the contractor to be liable with the work, it cannot just blame the subcontractor for any faults.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.2

NEW QUESTION # 78
Which of the following is most likely to reduce ITT preparation time while maintaining the clarity of tendering documents?

• A. Using request for quotation
• B. Standardising documentation whenever possible
• C. Monitoring usage
• D. Eliminating pre-qualification stage from all tendering processes

Answer: B

Explanation:
One of the major disadvantages of tendering process is that it is lengthy, bureaucratic and slow. To reduce the preparation time, buying organisation can:
- Plan forward
- Standardise tendering documents (such as notices, terms and conditions,...) whenever possible
- Train procurement staff
- Write down policies for tender-waiver
Buying organisation should not eliminate the pre-qualification stage from all tendering processes. This stage is used as a filter to select the most competent suppliers for next stage in restricted tendering. To save time in this process, you can design a model questionnaire.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.1

NEW QUESTION # 79
Which of the following should include in the service level agreement that is an appendix of a contract?
1. How often the service is measured
2. Minimum qualification of supplier staffs
3. Remedies to resolve dispute
4. On time service delivery

• A. 1, 3 and 4 only
• B. 1, 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3 only
• D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B

Explanation:
When the SLA is a schedule or an appendix to the contract, it should clearly state the following:
1. KPIs: how they are to be measured, who measures them and how often
2. How the measurements convert into scores
3. Any other service level standards, which may be of lesser importance than the KPIs
4. Minimum acceptable standards or scores in each case
5. Range of scores both above and below the minimum acceptable
6. Any mitigating factors which might apply in the event of poor performance
7. Any time period permitted in which to remedy a situation or poor performance.
In this question, "2. Minimum qualification of supplier staffs" and "4. On time service delivery" are the KPIs, while "1. How often the service is measured" is the frequency in which the KPIs are measured.
The remedies available in the event of poor performance should be set out in the body of the contract, along with those for any other contractual breach. These clauses should be cross-referenced in the SLA.
Reference:
LO 2, AC 2.2

NEW QUESTION # 80
Which of the following is the term that describes an item bought for a single and non-recurring use or purpose?

• A. Stock purchase
• B. Ad-hoc purchase
• C. Operational purchase
• D. Call-off purchase

Answer: B

Explanation:
Ad-hoc purchase is the item bought for a single and non-recurring use or purpose.
A call-off contract, also known as a blanket order, is a purchase order which enables bulk orders over a period of time.
Operational procurement refers to the procurement of goods and services that are required to sustain an organization's day-to-day business operations.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 81
Under which of the following scenarios an RFQ is most likely to be used?

• A. Design of a unique and complex software code
• B. When the buying organisation does not know the requirements in details and needs the input from suppliers
• C. Purchase of a small number of standardised products under a framework agreement
• D. Purchase of complex machinery

Answer: C

Explanation:
The request for quotations is a procurement method that is used for small value procurements of readily available off-the-shelf goods, small value construction works, or small value services procurements. Request for quotations works best under a framework agreement This procurement method is also known as invitation to quote and shopping, and it does not require the preparation of tender documents to the same extent as open tendering, request for proposals or two-stage tendering.
Among 4 options:
- "Purchase of a small number of standardised products under a framework agreement": the products are standardised and there is a framework agreement in place, so RFQ is the best solution.
- "Purchase of complex machinery": Complex machinery is often a large purchase. Furthermore, suppliers' quality may vary. So RFQ is not suitable, instead, depending on the situation, buyer may opt ITT or RFP to purchase this type of machinery.
- "Design of a unique and complex software code": Unique and complex software is not off-the-shelf, thus RFQ is not suitable.
- "When the buying organisation does not know the requirements in details and needs the input from suppliers": When the detailed requirements are unknown, the best solution is request for proposal or developing dialogue with suppliers.
Reference:
- Request for Quotations
- CIPS study guide page 3-4
LO 1, AC 1.1

NEW QUESTION # 82
XYZ Ltd is negotiating a long-term supply contract of important parts with a supplier. Dave, procurement manager teams up with Alla, legal manager to construct a service level agreement. Dave is concerned that poor performance of supplier may cause damages to the operations of the organisation. Which of the following can be used in conjunction with SLA to compensate the buying organisation in case of supplier's poor performance?
1. Warranties
2. Force majeure clauses
3. Penalty clauses
4. Service credits

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 4 and 2 only
• C. 3 and 4 only
• D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: C

Explanation:
Service level agreement often sets out the minimum quality standards of the services provided, remedies if that standards are not met, consequences if the targets are exceeded. Penalty clauses and service credits are remedies that are often used in conjunction with service level agreement to ensure the performance and to compensate the purchaser if targets are not met.
Reference:
LO 2, AC 2.2

NEW QUESTION # 83
Which of the following regulates barriers to the provision of services between countries?

• A. CISG
• B. ADA
• C. Incoterms
• D. GATS

Answer: D

Explanation:
- The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is a treaty of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that entered into force in January 1995 as a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations. The treaty was created to extend the multilateral trading system to service sector, in the same way the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) provides such a system for merchandise trade.
- CISG is the Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. This is a voluntary treaty under United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The purpose of the Vienna Convention is to set out a framework for international transactions based on a uniform approach. It establishes substantive rules that regulate the duties and obligations of both parties, including the delivery of goods, contract formation, and remedies for breach of contract.
- The Incoterms or International Commercial Terms are a series of pre-defined commercial terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) relating to international commercial law. They are widely used in international commercial transactions or procurement processes and their use is encouraged by trade councils, courts and international lawyers. A series of three-letter trade terms related to common contractual sales practices, the Incoterms rules are intended primarily to clearly communicate the tasks, costs, and risks associated with the global or international transportation and delivery of goods. Incoterms inform sales contracts defining respective obligations, costs, and risks involved in the delivery of goods from the seller to the buyer, but they do not themselves conclude a contract, determine the price payable, currency or credit terms, govern contract law or define where title to goods transfers.
- ADA is Anti-Dumping Agreement (Implementation of Article VI of the GATT).
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 84
Which of the following is most likely to be an one-off contract?

• A. Framework Agreement for supply of mono-crystalline silicon
• B. Commercial lease agreement of an office building
• C. Franchise Agreement
• D. Contract for construction of a power plant

Answer: D

Explanation:
One-off contracts are used where a supplier is only needed for a single activity unlikely to be repetitive, and where the need of the buyer is concrete and finite. Among the answers, only construction for power plant is one-off since the work is non-repetitive and the need is clearly defined.
A framework agreement is an agreement between one or more businesses or organisations, "the purpose of which is to establish the terms governing contracts to be awarded during a given period, in particular with regard to price and, where appropriate, the quantity envisaged".
A Commercial Lease Agreement is a contract used when renting business property to or from another individual or company. It gives the tenant (or renter) the right to use the property for business purposes during the term of the lease in exchange for payment to the landlord.
A franchise agreement is a legally binding document that outlines a franchisor's terms and conditions for a franchisee. Every franchise is governed by these terms, which are generally outlined in a written agreement between both parties.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 85
A construction company often subcontracts approximately 50% of the project works because of unpredictable customer's demand. Although larger corporate customers require quick response to RFQ, the time lapse between tender bid submission and contract commencement is usually long. Which of the following arrangement would benefit both the contractor and customer?

• A. Indemnity agreement
• B. Collateral contract
• C. Bilateral contract
• D. Framework agreement

Answer: D

Explanation:
According to the scenario, customers' demand changes regularly but the construction project commencement often delays. If the contractor and the customer mutually sign a legally binding contract too soon long before the commencement, the contractor may suffer poor cash flow (it must buy the materials first but has to wait for long time to be paid). A framework agreement may help both parties.
A framework agreement is a formal agreement between two organisations that is intended to become legally binding in the event that a contract is created.
A framework agreement could benefit the both parties in the following ways:
- At the time of signing, the framework agreement has not yet become a legally binding contract. The contractor and client only agree on the principles of future contracts (such as whether the work can be subcontracted or how payment will be proceeded). A well structured framework agreement will allow both parties to apply changes before contract commencement, especially regarding price and quality.
- The framework agreement assures a certainty between the contractor and client.
- The administrative works is reduced under a framework agreement.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 60-62
- Framework Agreements: Practice and Pitfalls
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 86
Which of the following is the procedure that makes no further competition under a framework agreement?

• A. Blanket order
• B. Standing offer
• C. Direct call-off
• D. Closed system

Answer: C

Explanation:
Direct call off is the act of placing an order under a framework agreement without having further competition.
Standing offer is an available offer.
Blanket order is another name of framework agreement
Closed system is a requirement of framework agreement. It is a system or process that, once started, does not allow new entrants.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 87
A purchase order can become a contract between supplier and purchaser if it is...?

• A. Edited by the supplier
• B. Accepted by the supplier
• C. Issued by the buyer
• D. Received by the supplier

Answer: B

Explanation:
A purchase order is a document sent from a buyer to a seller, with a request to order a product. The purchase order often has its number, description and quantity of the goods, unit prices and total price, name of issuer, time of delivery, standard terms and conditions, etc. It is effectively an offer to supplier. The purchase order will become a formal contract if supplier accepted it by written notice or by performance (such as deliver the goods to the buyer's premise).
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.2

NEW QUESTION # 88
Which of the following should be used in a contract for window cleaning during the next three months?

• A. Cost-plus arrangement
• B. Fixed pricing arrangement
• C. Variable pricing arrangement
• D. Standard schedule of rates

Answer: B

Explanation:
A contract for window cleaning during the next three months is a short-term service contract in which changes of input costs (labour, tools,...) are very unlikely to happen.
Fixed pricing arrangement is useful for small to medium scope project, with short timelines, where what is delivered can be adequately specified and the likelihood of changes to the specification, scope and input costs is limited.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.3

NEW QUESTION # 89
Carillion Ltd is a major construction contractor in the UK. The company commits to continuous improvement and sets out a performance management program that is integrated across the organisational, individual, and supplier levels. To ensure that the suppliers acknowledge the program, every time negotiating the contract terms with suppliers, the procurement team of Carillion appends a performance management framework to the draft document as a schedule. Is the action of procurement team appropriate?

• A. No, because the framework will increase the complexity of the contract
• B. Yes, because the framework should have legal standing as a part of contract
• C. Yes, because Carillion wants to implement early supplier involvement
• D. No, because the performance management should be solely developed by suppliers

Answer: B

Explanation:
Performance management framework often consists of KPIs, targets and consequences that arise from achieved scores. To ensure that the framework has binding effect on contracting parties, it should be developed, appended to the main contract document and agreed by both parties. So the answer should be "Yes, because the framework should have legal standing as a part of contract".
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.1

NEW QUESTION # 90
In a contract, both buyer and supplier agreed the lead time is 3 days. The contract also requires that any variation must be made in writing. Then the buyer places an order by phone call and requests delivery the next day, but the supplier delivers on the third day since the order. Can buyer refuse to pay as supplier did not deliver per time?

• A. No, supplier has shortened lead time to 1 day
• B. No, the supplier delivers within a reasonable time
• C. Yes, the supplier has breached the contract
• D. Yes, late delivery is a force majeure event

Answer: B

Explanation:
Lead time is the amount of time that passes from the start of a process until its conclusion. In procurement, lead time can be understood as the amount of time that passes from placing an order until the delivery.
In the scenario, the contract requires the supplier to make a delivery within 3 days since the order. This contract can only be amended with written consent from both parties. Therefore, there is no ground for shortening the lead time to 1 day because the new lead time is only the request of buyer. Then the supplier still makes delivery within agreed lead time.
LO 1, AC 1.1

NEW QUESTION # 91
Danielle buys a car from Aaron. Not long after, she receives an proposal from Brian, who is interested in buying the car but his budget is very constraint. Then, Brian decides to sign a hire purchase agreement with Danielle which lasts 4 years. Brian lives very far from Danielle, so he hires Charlie to deliver the car to his place. During the transport, Charlie has an accident and the car is written off. At the time of accident, who has the title of the car?

• A. Danielle
• B. Aaron
• C. Charlie
• D. Brian

Answer: A

Explanation:
Hire purchase is an arrangement for buying expensive consumer goods, where the buyer makes an initial down payment and pays the balance plus interest in installments. The ownership of the merchandise is not officially transferred to the buyer until all the payments have been made.
Danielle has purchased the car from Aaron, which means its title has been transferred to her. The accident happens before the last instalment is paid. Therefore, the ownership of the car still belongs to Danielle Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 92
A procurement professional is preparing a sale & purchase contract of a machinery. Which of the following clauses should be added to the contract? Select TWO that apply

• A. Guarantees
• B. Period of hire
• C. Supplier selection mechanism
• D. Ratio decidendi
• E. Insurance requirements

Answer: A,E

Explanation:
The complexity of the contract will reflect the complexity of the purchase. For simple, low-value purchases, standard terms and conditions may be all that is required, but do not assume that just because the purchase is one-off, the contract will be simple. It may still need to cover the following areas:
- Warranties and guarantees if the one-off purchase has a considerable life-span and is business-critical (e.g., a back-up generator for the office which houses the national computer servers).
- Insurance requirements: including professional indemnity, public/products liability, employer's liability, and cover for any specific risks such as pollution or working at height.
- Specification requirements on quality, timing and delivery
- Minimum quality standards on the business operation (e.g., a catering provider might only be providing sandwiches for a team meeting lunch, but you still need to know its hygiene practices).
- Built-in change process for any goods or services that are beyond very simple (e.g., works contracts always have variations procedures because of the unpredictable nature of such projects).
- Ability to extend the scope of the contract should be minimal or none, and restrained to the single requirement.
- Ability to extend the duration of the contract should be limited to the ability to accommodate unexpected time overruns (which itself should be subject to a damages/penalty provision where they are attributable to the supplier, and an extension to overheads costs where they are attributable to the purchaser).
- Data security protocols need to be considered if personal data is being shared.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.3

NEW QUESTION # 93
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