A staff member is part of a procurement committee selecting a vendor for a new IT system. Their cousin is a senior manager at one of the bidding companies. What is the most appropriate first step for the staff member to take?
-
A
Disclose the potential conflict of interest to the committee chair or their supervisor.
-
B
Continue serving on the committee but abstain from voting on their cousin's company.
-
C
Resign from the committee immediately without providing a reason to avoid embarrassment.
-
D
Advise their cousin on how to make their company's bid more competitive.