Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Practice Test

For purchasing 20 copies of a common how-to-use software book under a $900 budget, what purchasing method is the most economical?

1. Emergency

2. Sole source

3. Pcard

4. Invitation for bids

The correct answer is: Pcard

The choice of using a pcard (procurement card) for purchasing 20 copies of a common how-to-use software book within a $900 budget is the most economical method due to several key factors. Firstly, pcards simplify the purchasing process for low-cost items. Given the relatively small total cost of the purchase, utilizing a pcard allows for immediate transactions without the need for complex procurement processes. This expedited purchasing method is efficient for items that are readily available and fall within a certain price range. Additionally, using a pcard typically eliminates the administrative overhead associated with formal bidding or competitive procurement methods. For purchases under a specific threshold, such as the $900 budget in this scenario, the pcard method reduces paperwork, time, and the need for formal bidding, leading to cost savings in both time and resources. In this case, the other purchasing methods either entail unnecessarily complicated processes or are suited for different circumstances. Emergency procedures are generally reserved for urgent needs that require immediate attention, sole sourcing is for situations where only one supplier can fulfill the requirement, and invitations for bids are typically used for higher-value contracts or more complex purchases. Therefore, for a straightforward purchase of articles like books, using a pcard is most suitable and economical.