Free Practice Questions for CIPS L4M3 Exam

Variable pricing is suitable to situations when the cost of certain elements of the product fluctuate unpredictably. For road building, asphalt fluctuates regularly. Furthermore, 5 years are long period, then variable pricing is the most appropriate method to achieve value for money and control budget.

A contract for window cleaning during the next three months is a short-term service contract, fixed price is the most suitable method.

A contract for the supply of lubricating oil for immediate delivery is an one-off contract, only fixed price is applicable.

A contract for the supply of 100 printing machines to be delivered next month is also an one-off contract.

Exporting enterprises must sometimes incur additional costs as they adapt their production to the changing legal requirements of the recipient country. Such requirements can thus create technical barriers to trade. Discrepancies between product rules adopted by different countries can involve numerous aspects: weight, size, packaging, ingredients, mandatory labeling, shelf-life conditions, testing and certification procedures etc.

One way to overcome these barriers is to adopt international standards. Overseas companies may be more familiar with international standards without looking at specific regulations of importing countries.

Standard terms and conditions are set of terms that is prepared by an organisation. These terms can become the governing terms in low-value, low-risk transactions (or Routine items accordingto Kraljic's portfolio model). They can be a reference when negotiating for more important contract.

A performance specification outlines the results or outputs required, rather than dictating how they should be achieved. This is ideal for innovation-focused procurement, like IT systems, as it allows suppliers to bring forward creative, technical solutions. It encourages market input and can lead to better value and performance.

Framework agreements allow for pre-approved suppliers to be used over a contract period with simplified ordering processes. A key benefit is the use of mini-competitions among these suppliers to secure value and innovation without repeating the full tender process. This approach is highly effective in dynamic sectors like telecommunications.

An invitation to treat is an action inviting other parties to make an offer to form a contract. These actions may sometimes appear to be offers themselves, and the difference can sometimes be difficult to determine. The distinction is important because accepting an offer creates a binding contract while "accepting" an invitation to treat is actually making an offer.

One simple test to distinguish an offer and an invitation to treat is to ask what this statement will become when it is accepted. Now we apply this test to four options:

- Tender bid: Tender bid is submitted by a supplier to an invitation to tender from the buyer. It states the specific quantity, price and other elements. If buyer accepts the bid, there will be a contractbetween them. Therefore, a tender bid is an offer.

- Purchase order: Purchase order which is sent by a buyer will state the items, the quantity, the price and terms and conditions. If supplier accepts the purchase order, there will also be a contract between two parties. It is also an offer.

- Price list: Price list is prepared by a supplier. The price list often states the items and unit price. If a buyer accepts it, the contract has not yet been formed since the contract scope has not yet been decided. It is an invitation to treat.

- Invoice: Invoice is often sent after a contract is formed. It is in fact a request for payment, neither offer nor invitation to treat.

The market approach is a method of determining the value of an asset based on the selling price of similar assets.

A fixed-price strategy means you set a price and keep it constant for an extended period of time.

Cost-plus pricing is also known as markup pricing. It's a pricing method where a fixed percentage is added on top of the cost to produce

A price index (PI) is a measure of how prices change over a period of time, or in other words, it is a way to measure inflation. There are multiple methods on how to calculate inflation (or deflation).

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are legally binding documents that protect confidential and proprietary information, including intellectual property, during pre-contractual discussions. NDAs ensure that sensitive data shared during early engagement or tender development is not misused.

This scenario illustrates the "battle of the forms," where each party attempts to impose its own terms. The general legal principle is that the last set of terms sent before performance (in this case, Company B's invoice) takes precedence if the other party proceeds without objection (Company A's payment). Therefore, Company B's terms would likely govern the contract.