All parties (TDA, SFA, and any subcontractor or affiliate) are prohibited from real, or apparent, conflicts of interest governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award, and administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract supported by a federal award if he or she has a real, or apparent, conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer, agent, any member of their immediate family, their partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontractors.