Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) Practice Test

In the context of force majeure and excusable delays, the key aspect is that such delays must arise from events that are beyond the control of the parties involved, typically due to natural disasters or uncontrollable circumstances. Fire, flood, and labor strikes fit within this definition as they are often unexpected and external events that can significantly disrupt the normal operation or execution of a contract, hindering a party from fulfilling its contractual obligations. These events are generally recognized as valid causes for claiming an excusable delay because they cannot be anticipated or mitigated by reasonable measures. On the other hand, the death of a contractor's key person does not generally constitute a force majeure event. While it might lead to complications or delays, it is more of an internal issue concerning personnel rather than an uncontrollable external event. Such personnel issues are typically foreseeable, and businesses are usually expected to have contingency plans in place to address the loss of key employees. Hence, this situation is not classified under force majeure events that would justify an excusable delay.