DAWIA Certification Practice Exam

The key idea is that findings in a Determination and Findings are the factual basis that justifies the decision. They lay out the specific facts, evidence, and reasoning that support why the contracting action is appropriate, showing how those facts meet the regulatory criteria and lead to the chosen course of action. The findings connect what happened or what was observed to the authority cited and the conclusion drawn, providing the audit trail for accountability. They are not simply the dates of contract actions, nor the signatures of the contracting officer, nor the award amount, but the narrative that explains why the decision is warranted. For example, if a noncompetitive action is justified, the findings would describe the urgent need, market research, and any statutory authorities that support that choice, tying each fact to the determination.