A contracting officer shall not knowingly award a contract to which type of individual or entity?

A contracting officer is prohibited from awarding a contract to a government employee. This restriction exists to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that government employees do not use their positions for personal gain or to benefit themselves or others improperly. The integrity of the procurement process relies on the separation between government responsibilities and contractual engagements, thereby maintaining fairness and transparency in government contracting.

Choosing a government employee as a recipient of a contract could undermine these principles, as it could lead to biased decision-making and favoritism, which are contrary to ethical contracting practices. This prohibition is a critical aspect of maintaining public trust in the governmental contracting process.

Other options, while they may have relevant considerations, do not have the same inherent conflict of interest as awarding a contract to a government employee. Government contractors are often engaged in various capacities to provide services to the government, non-profit organizations can support government objectives through grants or contracts, and private citizens can often engage in contracts depending on the nature of the work and legal stipulations.