What is the primary goal of addressing OCI in contracting?

The primary goal of addressing Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) in contracting is to enhance transparency and fairness. OCIs can arise when a contractor's work on one contract could potentially give them an unfair advantage on another contract or create a conflict between their personal interests and the government's interests.

By identifying and mitigating OCIs, government agencies aim to ensure that all contractors operate on a level playing field, thereby increasing public trust in the contracting process. This focus on transparency ensures that decisions can be made based on merit and that all contracting actions are conducted fairly, minimizing the risk of favoritism or biased outcomes in the procurement process.

While increasing competition, minimizing costs, and expanding government contracts may also be important considerations within the contracting framework, they are not the primary objective of directly addressing OCI issues. Rather, the fundamental aim centers around establishing an equitable environment in which all bidders can participate confidently, knowing that conflicts of interest have been appropriately managed.