[josefresco]

...and In this case 2/3 of the experts called were/are competing for the government's business.

Edit: Strike that ... 1/3 of the experts is asking to compete for the government's business. 1/3 already have a monopoly for this work.

I'd say that's pretty "head to head".

[dfc]

As long as "head to head" includes interaction mediated by the Senator currently recognized and the chairman of the committee. In my opinion this mediation eviscerates any "direct conflict" between two people who are not senators.