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GAO Finds "Classic Example" Of Impaired Objectivity OCI

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 09.10.04

In PURVIS Systems, Inc. (Aug. 16, 2004), GAO held that the Navy failed reasonably to consider or evaluate potential organizational conflicts of interest ("OCI") created by the awardee's role in evaluating performance of undersea warfare systems that have been manufactured either by the awardee or its competitors. GAO rejected the awardee's contention that no OCI issues could be created by the awardee's evaluation of the systems because such work was not "part of the procurement process" and explained that the situation presented a "classic example" of an "impaired objectivity" OCI.

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Client Alert | 2 min read | 12.19.25

GAO Cautions Agencies—Over-Redact at Your Own Peril

Bid protest practitioners in recent years have witnessed agencies’ increasing efforts to limit the production of documents and information in response to Government Accountability Office (GAO) bid protests—often will little pushback from GAO. This practice has underscored the notable difference in the scope of bid protest records before GAO versus the Court of Federal Claims. However, in Tiger Natural Gas, Inc., B-423744, Dec. 10, 2025, 2025 CPD ¶ __, GAO made clear that there are limits to the scope of redactions, and GAO will sustain a protest where there is insufficient evidence that the agency’s actions were reasonable....