Which of the following are examples of incentives which can be embedded in contract terms? Select THREE that apply
Correct Answer: A,C,F
Gainsharing is a system of management used by a business to increase profitability by motivating suppliers to improve their performance. As their performance meets the targets, suppliers share financially in the gain (improvement). Gainshare is an incentive for cost control. Other incentives for good performance are: - Contract extensions: Buyer can extend the contract duration as an incentive to supplier for meeting their targets. - Accelerated payments Reference: LO 3, AC 3.3
Question 42
Blakenall District Hospital (BDH) is a large hospital that is a major part of the government's health service. Purchasing staff are in the habit of placing many long-term contracts with suppliers and sub-contractors. Whilst these contracts are usually carried out successfully, prices are often paid that are well over budget. The purchasing manager is concerned to find that, in some cases, members of staff are forcing suppliers to accept fixed price contracts. The policy has caused several problems such as some suppliers refusing to deal with BDH and a few going out of business mid-way through performing a contract with BDH. This is due to fluctuating market prices of materials. The procurement manager suggests supplier to adopt variable pricing arrangement with price index. Is this a right course of action?
Correct Answer: C
Procurement staff in the Hospital is forcing suppliers into fixed price contract. If the costs generally rise, supplier may operate at a loss. This situation can disrupt the relationship, that is the reason why some suppliers refusing to deal with BDH and a few going out of business mid-way. Alternative methods could be variable pricing arrangement. This method would reimburse the fluctuation of market price. It will also benefit buyer if the market price drops. This type of arrangement should be applied to long-term contracts (i.e. 18 months or more). Reference: LO 3, AC 3.3
Question 43
Which of the following are NOT covered by CISG? Select TWO that apply:
Correct Answer: B,D
United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (Vienna Convention or CISG) Vienna Convention was prepared by by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and adopted by a diplomatic conference on 11 April 1980. The Convention was welcomed by several countries from different geographic areas, with different legal and political systems. As of 20 August 2020, the Convention has93 Contracting States. The Convention has proved the effectiveness of an uniform text on international trade law. What CISG covers, and what it does not In the 6 first articles of the Convention, the authors set up the boundaries of its application. First is about where it applies. According to UNCITRAL, the Convention applies to contracts of sale of goods between parties whose places of business are in different States and either both of those States are Contracting States or the rules of private international law lead to the law of a Contracting State. A few States have availed themselves of the authorisation in article 95 to declare that they would apply the Convention only in the former and not in the latter of these two situations. As the Convention becomes more widely adopted, the practical significance of such a declaration will diminish. Finally, the Convention may also apply as the law applicable to the contract if so chosen by the parties. In that case, the operation of the Convention will be subject to any limits on contractual stipulations set by the otherwise applicable law. Second, the Convention has a list of goods that are not subject to its application in Article 2. Article 3 clarifies the differences between manufacturing contracts and sale contract. Third, Article 4 and 5 clearly states what CISG does not covers, including grounds for contract invalidity and liabilities to death or injury of person caused by the the goods Finally, the Convention respects the contractual freedom of the trading parties. Trading parties may select this convention as governing law or select other instrument, such as UPICC or domestic laws. Reference: - Governing law in International Contracts - Would you choose CISG or UPICC (Part 1) - CIPS study guide page 49-52 LO 1, AC 1.2
Question 44
Under a price adjustment agreement, which of the following would be supplier's justification for increasing unit price?
Correct Answer: A
Normally in a price adjustment agreement, the supplier is allowed to change price based on an indexation, which is published by a third party (for example, government or exchange market). The selected indices often associate with input materials of supplier. For instance, the plastics manufacturer may adjust their price based on crude oil price as oil is major input of producing plastics. Other suppliers may select different set of indices, such as Producer Perception Index. In this question, only 'Rise in fuel price' could be a justification for supplier to increase price because: - It may affect the input material price - The index is checked and published by an independent third party. Reference: LO 3, AC 3.3
Question 45
Which of the following clauses addresses fraud, bribery and corruption? The Company has undertaken commercially reasonable efforts to eliminate Conflict Minerals from each Company Product and any products currently proposed to be manufactured by the Company or on its behalf in the future. "Conflict Minerals" means columbite-tantalite (coltan),cassiterite, gold, wolframite, or their derivatives, which originate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or other country the exploitation and trade of which is determined by the United States to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or other country.
Correct Answer: D
This question is intended to let students know about how contractual clauses regarding ethical issues is constructed. The exam paper may not ask about this. "Each Party hereby undertakes that, at the date of the entering into force of the Contract, itself, its directors, officers or employees have not offered, promised, given, authorized, solicited or accepted any undue pecuniary or other advantage of any kind in any way connected with the Contract and that it has taken reasonable measures to prevent subcontractors, agents or any other third parties, subject to its control or determining influence, from doing so.": This is a clause addressing fraud, bribery and corruption. It is created to prevent any undue act by contracting parties. You may find other anti-corruption clause samples in this document. "Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent a Party from utilizing the services of any subcontractor as it deems appropriate to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that each Party shall require its subcontractors to comply with all applicable terms and conditions of this Agreement in providing such services and each Party shall remain primarily liable to the other Party for the performance of such subcontractor.": This clause is used to control the subcontracting and subcontractors. "Customer will be responsible for and shall ensure that while Service Provider employees, agents or contractors are on Customer's premises, all proper and legal health and safety precautions arein place and fully operational to protect such persons.": This clause is used to ensure health and safety standards. "The Company has undertaken commercially reasonable efforts to eliminate Conflict Minerals from each Company Product and any products currently proposed to be manufactured by the Company or on its behalf in the future. "Conflict Minerals" means columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite, or their derivatives, which originate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or other country the exploitation and trade of which is determined by the United States to be financing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or other country.": This is a clause addressing conflict minerals. Reference: CIPS study guide page 164-166 LO 3, AC 3.2
