Ethics & Compliance
Doing the Right Thing (When Convenient)
Cost Plus Technologies is committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory alignment.
Our Commitment
At Cost Plus Technologies, ethics are foundational to everything we do.
We believe in:
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Responsible innovation
• Compliance with applicable laws
• Selective interpretation of guidance
Our Ethics & Compliance framework is designed to ensure we operate responsibly across all domains, time zones, and funding streams.
Code of Conduct
All employees, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, advisors, and unpaid interns are required to:
✓ Act professionally
✓ Avoid conflicts of interest (unless disclosed)
✓ Treat others with respect
✓ Protect proprietary information
✓ Forward questionable emails to Legal
Annual acknowledgment required.
Reading optional.
Regulatory Alignment
We maintain alignment with:
Compliance maturity varies by program phase.
Responsible Innovation
Cost Plus Technologies develops cutting-edge capabilities including:
• Biologically enabled platforms
• Theoretical cybersecurity
• Faster-than-light communications
• Human-in-the-loop-in-the-loop architectures
We carefully evaluate potential impacts through:
→ Steering committees
→ Slide decks
→ Quarterly working groups
All major ethical decisions are deferred until Phase III.
Conflicts of Interest
Employees must disclose:
• Financial relationships
• Personal connections
• Previous government employment
• Any situation that might appear improper
Disclosures are reviewed by Legal and routed to Management.
Outcome: documented.
Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption
Cost Plus Technologies prohibits bribery, kickbacks, and improper payments.
Exceptions include:
• Cultural considerations
• Expedite fees
• Strategic relationship investments
• Innovation enablement grants
All expenses must be coded correctly.
Gifts & Entertainment
We follow industry best practices regarding gifts, meals, and hospitality.
Acceptable items include:
✓ Coffee
✓ Lunch
✓ Conference swag
✓ Branded fleece vests
✓ Thought leadership dinners
Anything over $25 requires approval or creative categorization.
Data Protection
We take data security seriously.
Our safeguards include:
• Role-based access
• Passwords
• Shared folders
• Someone named "IT"
Sensitive data is protected until forwarded accidentally.
Speak Up Culture™
Employees are encouraged to report concerns through:
• Their manager
• HR
• Legal
• The anonymous hotline (currently voicemail)
Retaliation is prohibited.
Subtle career stagnation is not considered retaliation.
Government Ethics
For former government employees, we honor all applicable cooling-off periods, procurement integrity rules, and post-employment restrictions.
Unless someone else already hired them first.
Continuous Improvement
Our Ethics program is reviewed annually or whenever required by a customer.
Updates are communicated via email.
Follow-up meetings may be scheduled.
Leadership Statement
"Ethics isn't just a checkbox — it's a mindset," said Robert Sivilli, Founder & CEO of Cost Plus Technologies.
"We strive to do the right thing while remaining flexible enough to meet mission needs."
Questions?
Contact:
ethics@costplustechnologies.com
(compliance response times may vary by contract vehicle)