Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

The Court of Federal Claims’ most recent decision in Axiom Resource Management v. United States, 2008 WL 541675 (Feb. 26, 2008) ("Axiom II"), suggests that extended judicial oversight of contract administration functions may be a viable bid protest remedy, particularly in the context of organizational conflicts of interest (OCIs).  The case also highlights the importance of preparing and implementing an OCI mitigation plan that will withstand rigorous judicial scrutiny, during the proposal phase, so that the Government’s and the offeror’s apparent front end indifference to the issue of OCIs does not jaundice the court’s views with respect to their willingness or inclination rigorously to implement a mitigation plan to which they were dragged "kicking and screaming."Continue Reading Administration of Organizational Conflict of Interest Mitigation Plans — Are Special Masters on the Horizon?

The Court of Federal Claims’ recent decision in Axiom Resource Management v. United States, 2007 WL 2840414 (Sept. 28, 2007), illustrates the trend toward more robust judicial review of organizational conflict of interest (OCI) allegations. The case also highlights several issues contractors should consider in drafting successful OCI mitigation plans.Continue Reading Axiom Resource Management v. United States: Judicial Scrutiny of Organizational Conflicts of Interest Intensifies