§2304 Conflict of Interest Standards for Consultants

Summary

The Administrator must create government-wide rules that set conflict-of-interest standards for people who give consulting services to the federal government and set up steps—like registration, certification, and enforcement—to make sure those standards are followed. The rules apply to advisory and assistance work, help with preparing or submitting bids and proposals, and other contract-related services when needed to find conflicts that could harm U.S. interests. Intelligence activities (as defined in Executive Order 12333 or a similar later order) can be exempted. The Director of National Intelligence must report to the Intelligence and Appropriations Committees each January 1 listing what was exempted. Before the rules are made, the President must decide if they would seriously hurt the mission of the Defense Department or another agency; if so, the President must report the reasons to the proper Congressional committees and the rule requirement is canceled.