Serving as Design Engineer and General Contractor (adapted from NSPE Case No. 98-1)

Parent Collection
Professional Ethics in Engineering Practice: Discussion Cases Based on NSPE BER Cases
Authoring Institution
Online Ethics Center
Year
1999
Rights
Use of Materials on the OEC
Discipline(s)
Engineering
Topics
Bidding Process
Engineer/Client Relationships
Case Study / Scenario
Description

An engineer is thinking about placing a bid on a contract for a job for which, in his job at another firm, he prepared the plans.

Body

Bernard is a principal in a consulting engineering firm. He is also a principal owner in a construction contracting firm. In his role as consultant, Bernard prepared plans for the design of a roof structure for a wastewater treatment facility. The municipality hired a separate firm to administer the bidding and construction using the plans prepared by Bernard. In his role as owner of the construction contracting firm, Bernard thinks that bidding on the construction is a great opportunity to arrange for new employment.

Should Bernard bid for the project assignment? Why or why not? Does Bernard have an unfair advantage over firms having designed the project on which he wants to bid?

NSPE Code of Ethics An earlier version may have been used in this case.

Notes

See the original NSPE case at: Serving As Design Engineer And General Contractor - Case No. 98-1.

Citation
. . Serving as Design Engineer and General Contractor (adapted from NSPE Case No. 98-1). Online Ethics Center. DOI:. https://onlineethics.org/cases/professional-ethics-engineering-practice-discussion-cases-based-nspe-ber-cases/serving-design.