Results may be reported to the contracting officer in which of the following forms?

• A. True
• B. orally, in writing, or by any other method acceptable to the contracting officer
• C. Only written
• D. Only orally

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the contracting officer can receive results in any form that they find acceptable. This includes oral, written, or other methods that the CO approves. The flexibility exists because different procurements or negotiation contexts may call for different communication methods, and the CO has the authority to determine the appropriate channel. What matters is that the method provides a reliable record and aligns with agency procedures, so the results are properly documented and defensible.

Choosing a form that is restricted to only written or only oral misses the reality that the CO may accept other workable methods, such as electronic communications or formal memoranda, as long as they create an auditable record. A choice that reduces the reporting to a simple true/false statement doesn’t describe a reporting method at all, so it isn’t correct. In practice, you’ll see negotiation results documented in writing, but the option acknowledges that acceptable oral or other acceptable methods can also be used when appropriate.