For Engineering and Science
Binary Service to Same Client (adapted from NSPE Case No. 78-3)
Publisher
Year
1999
Rights
Discipline(s)
Topics
Description
This is an open-ended scenario for discussion based on a case from the NSPE Board of Ethical Review. Two Engineers co-own both an engineering firm and a consulting firm called Electricity Services. Their engineering firm is awarded an assignment by the board of directors of the water plant on the basis of reports and recommendations provided by their other company, Electricity Services.
Body
You and Smith are engineers who own a consulting engineering firm. You and Smith also own Electricity Services, Inc., a seperate corporation. Electricity Services has a management arrangement with a rural dictrict. Under this arrangement, Electricity Services provides several services on a regular basis, including meter reading, billing, recommendations for repair and maintenance. Every so often, Electricity Services provides recommendations for additions and approvements to the water system. The board of directors of the water district meets regularly and receives the reports and recommedations of Electricity Services.
The contract between Electricy Services and the rural district is about to be renegotiated. Smith suggests that the new terms of this contract include a stipulation that when the board approves recommedations of Electricity Services, it awards the engineering assignments for the required professional services to your consulting firm.
How should you respond to this suggestion?
NSPE Code of Ethics An earlier version may have been used in this case.
Notes
See the original NSPE case at: Binary Service to Same Client - Case No. 78-3.
Citation
. . Binary Service to Same Client (adapted from NSPE Case No. 78-3). Online Ethics Center. DOI:. https://onlineethics.org/cases/professional-ethics-engineering-practice-discussion-cases-based-nspe-ber-cases/binary-service.
