TASC, Inc. Submits Comments on Defense Department's Proposed Implementation of WSARA Organizational Conflict of Interest Rules

CHANTILLY, Va., July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rule changes proposed by the Department of Defense on organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) in major defense acquisition programs are inconsistent with the goals of the government's Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA) of 2009, says TASC, Inc.  In its response to the proposed changes, the company expressed concern that they could increase the potential for impaired objectivity.

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"The proposed rule has a strong preference for mitigation of OCI rather than avoidance," says Wood Parker, president and CEO of TASC.  "In our view, the best path forward is an overall policy emphasis on OCI avoidance – with only occasional mitigation in truly exceptional circumstances, as specifically called for in WSARA."

WSARA aimed to fix what the Government Accountability Office has essentially called a broken acquisition process.  One of WSARA's goals is to improve the transparency of the acquisition process and eliminate organizational conflicts of interest.  Such conflicts can exist when a company's work under one government contract requires the company to perform work that may favorably affect the company, or unfavorably affect a competitor, on another government contract or opportunity -- such as when the same company that supplies the system is retained to evaluate that system.

"TASC believes the proposed DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) coverage has many positive aspects that will help restore and maintain public trust in the acquisition process," the company states in its comments to the Pentagon.  However, the requirements of the new rule "create significant obstacles for a Contracting Officer to avoid OCI, even when he or she believes it is the right thing to do."

In December 2009, TASC, which has supported the intelligence and defense communities since 1966, separated from Northrop Grumman, its parent company from 2001 to 2009, in response to the government's concern over OCI.  

For a complete copy of TASC's comments to the proposed rule changes, visit http://www.tasc.com/news_media/press_releases/.  

About TASC

Founded in 1966, TASC, Inc. is the premier, non-conflicted provider of advanced systems engineering, integration and decision-support services to the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and civilian agencies of the federal government.  A unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation from 2001 to 2009, TASC became an independent company in December 2009.  With 5,000 employees in 38 locations, TASC generates more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue.  For more information and career opportunities, visit our website at www.tasc.com.

Media Contact:  Christine Nyirjesy Bragale; Public Relations Manager; Tel. (703) 653-5996; [email protected].

SOURCE TASC, Inc.