What type of OCI arises when a contractor's objectivity is compromised?

Impaired Objectivity refers to a situation where a contractor's ability to make unbiased decisions is compromised, generally due to a conflict of interest. This can happen when a contractor has a vested interest in the outcome of their work that might affect their judgment. For instance, if a contractor stands to gain financially from a particular project outcome, they may inadvertently favor their own interests over those of the client or broader stakeholder community.

In government contracting, maintaining objectivity is crucial for ensuring fair competition and integrity in the procurement process. Impaired Objectivity specifically suggests that the contractor's decisions or actions might not align with the best interests of the project because their personal interests could cloud their judgment. This is distinct from other types of Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI), which deal with unequal access to information or biased rules set prior to a competition. Understanding Impaired Objectivity helps organizations identify and mitigate potential conflicts that could jeopardize project integrity or fail to provide the best value.