Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

Organizational Conflicts of Interest

The University is responsible for identifying potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCIs) as described in Subpart 9.5 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and in University Policy RI 04.  

OCIs occur when the University has an unfair competitive advantage when bidding on a federal funding solicitation, when University personnel have access to non-public, competitively useful information regarding a federal funding solicitation or when the University’s ability to provide impartial advice to the federal government is impaired. State or local government agencies, foundations, companies, or other funding sources may also include OCI requirements in their agreements or contracts.

University Members must disclose relationships they have with the federal government that could create a potential OCI when they complete their Annual Disclosure Certification in MyDisclosures.

When the University identifies an OCI, the COI Division works with the appropriate government or other contracting party to mitigate and manage the potential OCI.

Examples of Potential OCIs

  • University personnel provide advice, scientific, engineering or technical direction to the federal government regarding new solicitations or prepares the specifications for a federal funding opportunity and the University then applies for that funding. 
     
  • University personnel have relationships with the federal government that provide access to competitively useful, non-public information that is not available to other entities that bid on a federal solicitation.
     
  • The federally funded solicitation will require the University to evaluate itself, including the services provided by the University or other University personnel.