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Overview
Provenance Draft

PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics

Case 14: Providing Incomplete, Self-Serving Advice

24 entities 5 actions 4 events 7 causal chains 7 temporal relations
Timeline Overview
Action Event 9 sequenced markers
Recommendation Solicitation Initiating event, before any analysis was performed
Solicitation Receipt Beginning of the case, before Engineer A prepared the memo
Free Engineering Evaluation Provision Immediately after the City Administrator's solicitation
Selective Method Presentation During memo preparation
Delivery Method Recommendation At memo delivery
Firm Credentials Attachment At memo delivery, accompanying the recommendation
Incomplete Information Delivery Upon delivery of the summary memo to the City B Administrator
Free Services Extension Upon provision of the summary memo and recommendation to City B
Unethical Conduct Finding Retrospective, at the conclusion of the BER's review of the case
OWL-Time Temporal Structure 7 relations time: = w3.org/2006/time
Engineer A's memo and recommendation time:intervalBefore the upcoming wastewater system improvements project
hypothetical selection of Construction Manager at Risk by City B time:intervalBefore funding agency requirement that CMAR firm and Engineer of Record be distinct entities takes effect
City Administrator's solicitation of a recommendation time:intervalBefore Engineer A's preparation of the summary memo
Engineer A's absence of a contractual relationship with City B time:intervalOverlaps the solicitation and provision of the recommendation
Engineer A's past Progressive-Design-Build projects time:intervalBefore preparation of the summary memo and recommendation
Engineer A's recommendation of Progressive-Design-Build time:intervalEquals provision of the firm's experience summary and references
Engineer A's conduct (memo, recommendation, free services) time:intervalBefore BER's retrospective ethical evaluation of the conduct
Extracted Actions (5)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical context

Description: City B's City Administrator, who is not a licensed professional engineer, informally asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for the upcoming wastewater system improvements project under a specific funding source.

Temporal Marker: Initiating event, before any analysis was performed instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Informal Solicitation of Engineering Services

Mental State: deliberate, possibly unaware that the request amounted to a solicitation of engineering services

Intended Outcome: Obtain guidance on which project delivery method to use for the wastewater improvements project

Required Capabilities:
Familiarity with project delivery methods and funding requirements
Within Competence: No
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • requiresCapability: Familiarity with project delivery methods and funding requirements
  • initiates: Informal Solicitation of Engineering Services
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: City B's City Administrator, who is not a licensed professional engineer, informally asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for the upcoming wastewater system improvements project under a specific funding source.
  • hasAgent content: City Administrator
  • temporalMarker content: Initiating event, before any analysis was performed
  • eventRoleContext content: non-engineer municipal official, City B
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate, possibly unaware that the request amounted to a solicitation of engineering services
  • intendedOutcome content: Obtain guidance on which project delivery method to use for the wastewater improvements project
  • textReferences content: City B’s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source.; City Administrator is not a licensed professional engineer.
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 1
  • withinCompetence assessment: False
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Recommendation_Solicitation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.772291+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "City B\u0027s City Administrator, who is not a licensed professional engineer, informally asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for the upcoming wastewater system improvements project under a specific funding source.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "non-engineer municipal official, City B",
  "proeth:hasAgent": "City Administrator",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate, possibly unaware that the request amounted to a solicitation of engineering services",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Informal Solicitation of Engineering Services"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Obtain guidance on which project delivery method to use for the wastewater improvements project",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Familiarity with project delivery methods and funding requirements"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Initiating event, before any analysis was performed",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 1,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "City B\u2019s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source.",
    "City Administrator is not a licensed professional engineer."
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": false,
  "rdfs:label": "Recommendation Solicitation"
}

Description: Engineer A chose to respond to the informal solicitation by providing an uncompensated engineering evaluation rather than referring the City Administrator to external resources or compiling properly referenced analyses from others.

Temporal Marker: Immediately after the City Administrator's solicitation interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Free Engineering Services Rendered

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Respond helpfully to the City Administrator's request while positioning the firm favorably for future work

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Rendering uncompensated engineering services that could function as valuable consideration to secure work
Obligation Engagement:
Violates (1)
  • Not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work
Required Capabilities:
Knowledge of project delivery methods Engineering evaluation of delivery alternatives
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • violatesObligation: Not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work
  • requiresCapability: Knowledge of project delivery methods; Engineering evaluation of delivery alternatives
  • initiates: Free Engineering Services Rendered
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A chose to respond to the informal solicitation by providing an uncompensated engineering evaluation rather than referring the City Administrator to external resources or compiling properly referenced analyses from others.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: Immediately after the City Administrator's solicitation
  • eventRoleContext content: licensed professional engineer in State C
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Respond helpfully to the City Administrator's request while positioning the firm favorably for future work
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Rendering uncompensated engineering services that could function as valuable consideration to secure work
  • textReferences content: Engineer A could have referred City Administrator to resources (whether library, free, or subscription) that provided complete analyses of the various methodologies.; the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 3
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Free_Engineering_Evaluation_Provision",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.772852+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A chose to respond to the informal solicitation by providing an uncompensated engineering evaluation rather than referring the City Administrator to external resources or compiling properly referenced analyses from others.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "licensed professional engineer in State C",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Rendering uncompensated engineering services that could function as valuable consideration to secure work"
  ],
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Free Engineering Services Rendered"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Respond helpfully to the City Administrator\u0027s request while positioning the firm favorably for future work",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Knowledge of project delivery methods",
    "Engineering evaluation of delivery alternatives"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Immediately after the City Administrator\u0027s solicitation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 3,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A could have referred City Administrator to resources (whether library, free, or subscription) that provided complete analyses of the various methodologies.",
    "the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services"
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [
    "Not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Free Engineering Evaluation Provision"
}

Description: In the summary memo to the City Administrator, Engineer A identified only Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable options, omitting Construction-Management-at-Risk and Fixed-Price-Design-Build from the four approved delivery methods.

Temporal Marker: During memo preparation instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Incomplete and Self-Serving Information Provided

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Steer the City toward delivery methods favorable to the firm's participation

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • City Administrator deprived of a complete analysis of all four approved methods
Obligation Engagement:
Violates (2)
  • Include all relevant and pertinent information
  • Objective and truthful
Required Capabilities:
Knowledge of approved project delivery methods Technical writing and evaluation
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • violatesObligation: Include all relevant and pertinent information; Objective and truthful
  • requiresCapability: Knowledge of approved project delivery methods; Technical writing and evaluation
  • initiates: Incomplete and Self-Serving Information Provided
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: In the summary memo to the City Administrator, Engineer A identified only Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable options, omitting Construction-Management-at-Risk and Fixed-Price-Design-Build from the four approved delivery methods.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: During memo preparation
  • eventRoleContext content: licensed professional engineer in State C
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Steer the City toward delivery methods favorable to the firm's participation
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: City Administrator deprived of a complete analysis of all four approved methods
  • textReferences content: Engineer A prepared a summary memo to City B Administrator and only identified Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable project delivery options.; by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 4
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Selective_Method_Presentation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.772922+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "In the summary memo to the City Administrator, Engineer A identified only Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable options, omitting Construction-Management-at-Risk and Fixed-Price-Design-Build from the four approved delivery methods.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "licensed professional engineer in State C",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "City Administrator deprived of a complete analysis of all four approved methods"
  ],
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Incomplete and Self-Serving Information Provided"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Steer the City toward delivery methods favorable to the firm\u0027s participation",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Knowledge of approved project delivery methods",
    "Technical writing and evaluation"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "During memo preparation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 4,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A prepared a summary memo to City B Administrator and only identified Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable project delivery options.",
    "by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A\u2019s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information"
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [
    "Include all relevant and pertinent information",
    "Objective and truthful"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Selective Method Presentation"
}

Description: Engineer A recommended Progressive-Design-Build, a delivery method under which Engineer A's firm was qualified to provide construction services and stood to benefit.

Temporal Marker: At memo delivery instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Self-Interested Recommendation Made

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Have City B select a delivery method under which Engineer A's firm could obtain future work

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • The recommendation serves Engineer A's own interest rather than a purely objective evaluation
Obligation Engagement:
Violates (1)
  • Objective and truthful
Required Capabilities:
Judgment on project delivery method suitability
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • violatesObligation: Objective and truthful
  • requiresCapability: Judgment on project delivery method suitability
  • initiates: Self-Interested Recommendation Made
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A recommended Progressive-Design-Build, a delivery method under which Engineer A's firm was qualified to provide construction services and stood to benefit.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: At memo delivery
  • eventRoleContext content: licensed professional engineer in State C
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Have City B select a delivery method under which Engineer A's firm could obtain future work
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: The recommendation serves Engineer A's own interest rather than a purely objective evaluation
  • textReferences content: Engineer A recommended Progressive Design Build.; a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 5
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Delivery_Method_Recommendation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.772957+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A recommended Progressive-Design-Build, a delivery method under which Engineer A\u0027s firm was qualified to provide construction services and stood to benefit.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "licensed professional engineer in State C",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "The recommendation serves Engineer A\u0027s own interest rather than a purely objective evaluation"
  ],
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Self-Interested Recommendation Made"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Have City B select a delivery method under which Engineer A\u0027s firm could obtain future work",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Judgment on project delivery method suitability"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "At memo delivery",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 5,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A recommended Progressive Design Build.",
    "a recommendation to Engineer A\u2019s benefit"
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [
    "Objective and truthful"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Delivery Method Recommendation"
}

Description: Engineer A accompanied the recommendation with a summary of the firm's experience with Progressive-Design-Build projects and references from past projects, effectively marketing the firm's services.

Temporal Marker: At memo delivery, accompanying the recommendation instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Self-Promotion Attached to Advisory Response

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Position Engineer A's firm to be selected for the recommended Progressive-Design-Build work

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • The advisory response is converted into a self-promotional solicitation of work
Obligation Engagement:
Violates (1)
  • Not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work
Required Capabilities:
Marketing and presentation of firm qualifications
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • violatesObligation: Not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work
  • requiresCapability: Marketing and presentation of firm qualifications
  • initiates: Self-Promotion Attached to Advisory Response
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A accompanied the recommendation with a summary of the firm's experience with Progressive-Design-Build projects and references from past projects, effectively marketing the firm's services.
  • hasAgent content: Engineer A
  • temporalMarker content: At memo delivery, accompanying the recommendation
  • eventRoleContext content: licensed professional engineer in State C
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Position Engineer A's firm to be selected for the recommended Progressive-Design-Build work
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: The advisory response is converted into a self-promotional solicitation of work
  • textReferences content: Engineer A provided a summary of the firm’s experience with Progressive-Design-Build projects and references from past projects
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 6
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Firm_Credentials_Attachment",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.772986+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A accompanied the recommendation with a summary of the firm\u0027s experience with Progressive-Design-Build projects and references from past projects, effectively marketing the firm\u0027s services.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "licensed professional engineer in State C",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "The advisory response is converted into a self-promotional solicitation of work"
  ],
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Self-Promotion Attached to Advisory Response"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Position Engineer A\u0027s firm to be selected for the recommended Progressive-Design-Build work",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Marketing and presentation of firm qualifications"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "At memo delivery, accompanying the recommendation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 6,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Engineer A provided a summary of the firm\u2019s experience with Progressive-Design-Build projects and references from past projects"
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [
    "Not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Firm Credentials Attachment"
}
Extracted Events (4)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changes

Description: Engineer A received an informal request from City B's City Administrator for a recommendation on project delivery methods for the upcoming wastewater system improvements project.

Temporal Marker: Beginning of the case, before Engineer A prepared the memo instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Advice Requested State
  • Informal Solicitation Pending

Caused By Action: Action_Recommendation_Solicitation

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Recommendation_Solicitation
  • initiates: Advice Requested State; Informal Solicitation Pending
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A received an informal request from City B's City Administrator for a recommendation on project delivery methods for the upcoming wastewater system improvements project.
  • temporalMarker content: Beginning of the case, before Engineer A prepared the memo
  • textReferences content: City B’s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source; City Administrator solicited services from Engineer A.
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 2
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Event_Solicitation_Receipt",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773081+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Recommendation_Solicitation",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.85",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A received an informal request from City B\u0027s City Administrator for a recommendation on project delivery methods for the upcoming wastewater system improvements project.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Advice Requested State",
    "Informal Solicitation Pending"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Beginning of the case, before Engineer A prepared the memo",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 2,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "City B\u2019s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source",
    "City Administrator solicited services from Engineer A."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Solicitation Receipt"
}

Description: As a consequence of Engineer A's memo identifying only two of the four approved delivery methods and recommending the one benefiting the firm, City B was left holding incomplete and self-serving information.

Temporal Marker: Upon delivery of the summary memo to the City B Administrator instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (2)
  • Incomplete Information State
  • Self-Serving Information State
Terminates (1)
  • Advice Requested State

Caused By Action: Action_Selective_Method_Presentation

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Selective_Method_Presentation
  • initiates: Incomplete Information State; Self-Serving Information State
  • terminates: Advice Requested State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: As a consequence of Engineer A's memo identifying only two of the four approved delivery methods and recommending the one benefiting the firm, City B was left holding incomplete and self-serving information.
  • temporalMarker content: Upon delivery of the summary memo to the City B Administrator
  • textReferences content: by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 7
  • confidence assessment: 0.86
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Event_Incomplete_Information_Delivery",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773119+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Selective_Method_Presentation",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.86",
  "proeth:description": "As a consequence of Engineer A\u0027s memo identifying only two of the four approved delivery methods and recommending the one benefiting the firm, City B was left holding incomplete and self-serving information.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Incomplete Information State",
    "Self-Serving Information State"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Upon delivery of the summary memo to the City B Administrator",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 7,
  "proeth:terminates": [
    "Advice Requested State"
  ],
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A\u2019s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Incomplete Information Delivery"
}

Description: Engineer A's provision of a comparative engineering evaluation without a contract resulted in free engineering services having been extended to City B, a condition tied to securing work.

Temporal Marker: Upon provision of the summary memo and recommendation to City B instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Free Services Extended State

Caused By Action: Action_Free_Engineering_Evaluation_Provision

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Free_Engineering_Evaluation_Provision
  • initiates: Free Services Extended State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: Engineer A's provision of a comparative engineering evaluation without a contract resulted in free engineering services having been extended to City B, a condition tied to securing work.
  • temporalMarker content: Upon provision of the summary memo and recommendation to City B
  • textReferences content: the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services; Engineer A currently has no contractual relationship with City B.
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 8
  • confidence assessment: 0.83
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Event_Free_Services_Extension",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773676+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Free_Engineering_Evaluation_Provision",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.83",
  "proeth:description": "Engineer A\u0027s provision of a comparative engineering evaluation without a contract resulted in free engineering services having been extended to City B, a condition tied to securing work.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Free Services Extended State"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Upon provision of the summary memo and recommendation to City B",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 8,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services",
    "Engineer A currently has no contractual relationship with City B."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Free Services Extension"
}

Description: The BER's retrospective review concluded that both aspects of Engineer A's conduct, the incomplete self-serving information and the extension of free services, were unethical.

Temporal Marker: Retrospective, at the conclusion of the BER's review of the case instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Unethical Conduct Determined State

Caused By Action: Action_Selective_Method_Presentation

Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • causedByAction: http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Selective_Method_Presentation
  • initiates: Unethical Conduct Determined State
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The BER's retrospective review concluded that both aspects of Engineer A's conduct, the incomplete self-serving information and the extension of free services, were unethical.
  • temporalMarker content: Retrospective, at the conclusion of the BER's review of the case
  • textReferences content: Both aspects of the conduct were unethical in the view of the BER.
  • eventType content: outcome
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 9
  • confidence assessment: 0.8
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#",
    "time": "http://www.w3.org/2006/time#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Event_Unethical_Conduct_Finding",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773721+00:00",
  "proeth:causedByAction": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#Action_Selective_Method_Presentation",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.8",
  "proeth:description": "The BER\u0027s retrospective review concluded that both aspects of Engineer A\u0027s conduct, the incomplete self-serving information and the extension of free services, were unethical.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventType": "outcome",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Unethical Conduct Determined State"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Retrospective, at the conclusion of the BER\u0027s review of the case",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 9,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Both aspects of the conduct were unethical in the view of the BER."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Unethical Conduct Finding"
}
Causal Chains (7)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient Set

Causal Language: City B’s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • City Administrator's decision to seek advice on delivery methods
  • City Administrator's lack of professional engineering licensure
  • Engineer A's availability and presence in the community of City B
Sufficient Factors:
  • The Administrator's informal request directed to Engineer A was sufficient to place the request before Engineer A
Counterfactual Test: Without the Administrator's request, Engineer A would not have received any solicitation and the subsequent memo would not have been triggered
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: City B's City Administrator
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Recommendation Solicitation
    City Administrator informally asks Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods
  2. Solicitation Receipt
    Engineer A receives the informal request regarding the wastewater improvements project
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Recommendation Solicitation
  • effect: Solicitation Receipt
  • responsibleAgent: City B's City Administrator
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: City B’s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source.
  • necessaryFactors content: City Administrator's decision to seek advice on delivery methods; City Administrator's lack of professional engineering licensure; Engineer A's availability and presence in the community of City B
  • sufficientFactors content: The Administrator's informal request directed to Engineer A was sufficient to place the request before Engineer A
  • counterfactual content: Without the Administrator's request, Engineer A would not have received any solicitation and the subsequent memo would not have been triggered
  • agentKnowledge content: Administrator was not a licensed professional engineer; it is not clear whether the Administrator knowingly solicited a donation of services
  • interveningFactors content: Funding source requirements limiting delivery methods
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Recommendation Solicitation', 'proeth:description': 'City Administrator informally asks Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Solicitation Receipt', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A receives the informal request regarding the wastewater improvements project'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_1",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773928+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Administrator was not a licensed professional engineer; it is not clear whether the Administrator knowingly solicited a donation of services",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "City B\u2019s City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater system improvements project using a specific funding source.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "City Administrator informally asks Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods",
      "proeth:element": "Recommendation Solicitation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A receives the informal request regarding the wastewater improvements project",
      "proeth:element": "Solicitation Receipt",
      "proeth:step": 2
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Recommendation Solicitation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the Administrator\u0027s request, Engineer A would not have received any solicitation and the subsequent memo would not have been triggered",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Solicitation Receipt",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Funding source requirements limiting delivery methods"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "City Administrator\u0027s decision to seek advice on delivery methods",
    "City Administrator\u0027s lack of professional engineering licensure",
    "Engineer A\u0027s availability and presence in the community of City B"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "City B\u0027s City Administrator",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The Administrator\u0027s informal request directed to Engineer A was sufficient to place the request before Engineer A"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: In the present case, City Administrator solicited services from Engineer A. It is not clear whether City Administrator knowingly solicited a donation of services. Engineer A had several options.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Receipt of the informal request from the City Administrator
  • Engineer A's decision to respond with an engineering evaluation rather than a referral
  • Absence of a contractual relationship between Engineer A and City B
Sufficient Factors:
  • Receipt of the request combined with Engineer A's choice to prepare an uncompensated evaluation
Counterfactual Test: Engineer A could have referred the Administrator to resources or compiled properly referenced analyses of others, which would have involved no provision of engineering services; the outcome was avoidable despite the solicitation
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Solicitation Receipt
    Engineer A receives the Administrator's informal request
  2. Choice Among Response Options
    Engineer A could refer to resources, compile referenced analyses, or provide an engineering evaluation
  3. Free Engineering Evaluation Provision
    Engineer A chooses to prepare an uncompensated comparative engineering evaluation and memo
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Solicitation Receipt
  • effect: Free Engineering Evaluation Provision
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: In the present case, City Administrator solicited services from Engineer A. It is not clear whether City Administrator knowingly solicited a donation of services. Engineer A had several options.
  • necessaryFactors content: Receipt of the informal request from the City Administrator; Engineer A's decision to respond with an engineering evaluation rather than a referral; Absence of a contractual relationship between Engineer A and City B
  • sufficientFactors content: Receipt of the request combined with Engineer A's choice to prepare an uncompensated evaluation
  • counterfactual content: Engineer A could have referred the Administrator to resources or compiled properly referenced analyses of others, which would have involved no provision of engineering services; the outcome was avoidable despite the solicitation
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew there was no contractual relationship with City B and knew the request concerned selection among funding-approved delivery methods
  • interveningFactors content: Informal nature of the solicitation; Ambiguity about whether a donation of services was knowingly solicited
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Solicitation Receipt', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A receives the Administrator's informal request"}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Choice Among Response Options', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A could refer to resources, compile referenced analyses, or provide an engineering evaluation'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Free Engineering Evaluation Provision', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A chooses to prepare an uncompensated comparative engineering evaluation and memo'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_2",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773968+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew there was no contractual relationship with City B and knew the request concerned selection among funding-approved delivery methods",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "In the present case, City Administrator solicited services from Engineer A. It is not clear whether City Administrator knowingly solicited a donation of services. Engineer A had several options.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A receives the Administrator\u0027s informal request",
      "proeth:element": "Solicitation Receipt",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A could refer to resources, compile referenced analyses, or provide an engineering evaluation",
      "proeth:element": "Choice Among Response Options",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A chooses to prepare an uncompensated comparative engineering evaluation and memo",
      "proeth:element": "Free Engineering Evaluation Provision",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Solicitation Receipt",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Engineer A could have referred the Administrator to resources or compiled properly referenced analyses of others, which would have involved no provision of engineering services; the outcome was avoidable despite the solicitation",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Free Engineering Evaluation Provision",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Informal nature of the solicitation",
    "Ambiguity about whether a donation of services was knowingly solicited"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Receipt of the informal request from the City Administrator",
    "Engineer A\u0027s decision to respond with an engineering evaluation rather than a referral",
    "Absence of a contractual relationship between Engineer A and City B"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Receipt of the request combined with Engineer A\u0027s choice to prepare an uncompensated evaluation"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: However, by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Engineer A performing a comparative engineering evaluation
  • No contract or compensation arrangement with City B
  • Delivery of the memo containing the evaluation to City B
Sufficient Factors:
  • Providing an engineering evaluation without a contract was sufficient to constitute an extension of free services
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A merely referred to resources or compiled others' referenced analyses, no engineering services would have been provided and no free services extension would have occurred
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Free Engineering Evaluation Provision
    Engineer A performs a comparative engineering evaluation without a contract
  2. Memo Delivery
    The summary memo containing the evaluation and recommendation is delivered to City B
  3. Free Services Extension
    Uncompensated engineering services are extended to City B, implicating the prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Free Engineering Evaluation Provision
  • effect: Free Services Extension
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: However, by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services.
  • necessaryFactors content: Engineer A performing a comparative engineering evaluation; No contract or compensation arrangement with City B; Delivery of the memo containing the evaluation to City B
  • sufficientFactors content: Providing an engineering evaluation without a contract was sufficient to constitute an extension of free services
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A merely referred to resources or compiled others' referenced analyses, no engineering services would have been provided and no free services extension would have occurred
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew there was currently no contractual relationship with City B and that the evaluation was uncompensated
  • interveningFactors content: City Administrator's informal solicitation of services
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Free Engineering Evaluation Provision', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A performs a comparative engineering evaluation without a contract'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Memo Delivery', 'proeth:description': 'The summary memo containing the evaluation and recommendation is delivered to City B'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Free Services Extension', 'proeth:description': 'Uncompensated engineering services are extended to City B, implicating the prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_3",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.773993+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew there was currently no contractual relationship with City B and that the evaluation was uncompensated",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "However, by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A\u2019s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A performs a comparative engineering evaluation without a contract",
      "proeth:element": "Free Engineering Evaluation Provision",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The summary memo containing the evaluation and recommendation is delivered to City B",
      "proeth:element": "Memo Delivery",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Uncompensated engineering services are extended to City B, implicating the prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work",
      "proeth:element": "Free Services Extension",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Free Engineering Evaluation Provision",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A merely referred to resources or compiled others\u0027 referenced analyses, no engineering services would have been provided and no free services extension would have occurred",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Free Services Extension",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "City Administrator\u0027s informal solicitation of services"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Engineer A performing a comparative engineering evaluation",
    "No contract or compensation arrangement with City B",
    "Delivery of the memo containing the evaluation to City B"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Providing an engineering evaluation without a contract was sufficient to constitute an extension of free services"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Engineer A prepared a summary memo to City B Administrator and only identified Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable project delivery options.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Existence of four approved delivery methods under the funding source
  • Engineer A's memo identifying only two of the four methods
  • Delivery of that memo to the City Administrator
Sufficient Factors:
  • Presenting only two of four approved methods in the memo was sufficient to make the information delivered to City B incomplete
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A presented a complete analysis of all four methodologies with all the pros and cons, the information delivered would not have been incomplete
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Selective Method Presentation
    Engineer A identifies only Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable options in the memo
  2. Omission of Alternatives
    Construction-Management-at-Risk and Fixed-Price-Design-Build are excluded from the memo without analysis
  3. Incomplete Information Delivery
    City B receives incomplete and self-serving information about its approved delivery options
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Selective Method Presentation
  • effect: Incomplete Information Delivery
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Engineer A prepared a summary memo to City B Administrator and only identified Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable project delivery options.
  • necessaryFactors content: Existence of four approved delivery methods under the funding source; Engineer A's memo identifying only two of the four methods; Delivery of that memo to the City Administrator
  • sufficientFactors content: Presenting only two of four approved methods in the memo was sufficient to make the information delivered to City B incomplete
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A presented a complete analysis of all four methodologies with all the pros and cons, the information delivered would not have been incomplete
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew four methods were approved under the funding source and knew the firm was qualified under Progressive-Design-Build and Construction-Manager-at-Risk
  • interveningFactors content: Funding agency requirement that the CMAR firm and Engineer of Record be distinct entities
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Selective Method Presentation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A identifies only Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable options in the memo'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Omission of Alternatives', 'proeth:description': 'Construction-Management-at-Risk and Fixed-Price-Design-Build are excluded from the memo without analysis'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Incomplete Information Delivery', 'proeth:description': 'City B receives incomplete and self-serving information about its approved delivery options'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_4",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.774018+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew four methods were approved under the funding source and knew the firm was qualified under Progressive-Design-Build and Construction-Manager-at-Risk",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Engineer A prepared a summary memo to City B Administrator and only identified Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable project delivery options.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A identifies only Design-Bid-Build and Progressive-Design-Build as viable options in the memo",
      "proeth:element": "Selective Method Presentation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Construction-Management-at-Risk and Fixed-Price-Design-Build are excluded from the memo without analysis",
      "proeth:element": "Omission of Alternatives",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "City B receives incomplete and self-serving information about its approved delivery options",
      "proeth:element": "Incomplete Information Delivery",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Selective Method Presentation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A presented a complete analysis of all four methodologies with all the pros and cons, the information delivered would not have been incomplete",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Incomplete Information Delivery",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Funding agency requirement that the CMAR firm and Engineer of Record be distinct entities"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Existence of four approved delivery methods under the funding source",
    "Engineer A\u0027s memo identifying only two of the four methods",
    "Delivery of that memo to the City Administrator"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Presenting only two of four approved methods in the memo was sufficient to make the information delivered to City B incomplete"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: However, by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Recommendation of Progressive-Design-Build, a method under which Engineer A's firm was qualified to provide services
  • Absence of a complete analysis of all four approved methods
  • Engineer A's self-interest in the recommended method
Sufficient Factors:
  • A self-benefiting recommendation combined with the omission of alternatives was sufficient to render the information incomplete and self-serving
Counterfactual Test: Had the recommendation been accompanied by objective, complete analysis of all four methods, the delivery would not have constituted incomplete, self-serving information
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Delivery Method Recommendation
    Engineer A recommends Progressive-Design-Build, under which the firm could provide services
  2. Firm Credentials Attachment
    Engineer A attaches the firm's Progressive-Design-Build experience and references to the recommendation
  3. Incomplete Information Delivery
    City B receives a self-serving recommendation with no analysis of excluded alternatives
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Delivery Method Recommendation
  • effect: Incomplete Information Delivery
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: However, by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A’s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services.
  • necessaryFactors content: Recommendation of Progressive-Design-Build, a method under which Engineer A's firm was qualified to provide services; Absence of a complete analysis of all four approved methods; Engineer A's self-interest in the recommended method
  • sufficientFactors content: A self-benefiting recommendation combined with the omission of alternatives was sufficient to render the information incomplete and self-serving
  • counterfactual content: Had the recommendation been accompanied by objective, complete analysis of all four methods, the delivery would not have constituted incomplete, self-serving information
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew the firm was qualified to provide construction services under Progressive-Design-Build and stood to benefit from its selection
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Delivery Method Recommendation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A recommends Progressive-Design-Build, under which the firm could provide services'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Firm Credentials Attachment', 'proeth:description': "Engineer A attaches the firm's Progressive-Design-Build experience and references to the recommendation"}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Incomplete Information Delivery', 'proeth:description': 'City B receives a self-serving recommendation with no analysis of excluded alternatives'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_5",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.774041+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew the firm was qualified to provide construction services under Progressive-Design-Build and stood to benefit from its selection",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "However, by providing only a partial, comparative engineering evaluation with no analysis and a recommendation to Engineer A\u2019s benefit, the conduct constituted both incomplete and self-serving information (as in 95-5 and 99-8) and the extension of free services.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A recommends Progressive-Design-Build, under which the firm could provide services",
      "proeth:element": "Delivery Method Recommendation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A attaches the firm\u0027s Progressive-Design-Build experience and references to the recommendation",
      "proeth:element": "Firm Credentials Attachment",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "City B receives a self-serving recommendation with no analysis of excluded alternatives",
      "proeth:element": "Incomplete Information Delivery",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Delivery Method Recommendation",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the recommendation been accompanied by objective, complete analysis of all four methods, the delivery would not have constituted incomplete, self-serving information",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Incomplete Information Delivery",
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Recommendation of Progressive-Design-Build, a method under which Engineer A\u0027s firm was qualified to provide services",
    "Absence of a complete analysis of all four approved methods",
    "Engineer A\u0027s self-interest in the recommended method"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "A self-benefiting recommendation combined with the omission of alternatives was sufficient to render the information incomplete and self-serving"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Both aspects of the conduct were unethical in the view of the BER.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Delivery of incomplete and self-serving information to City B
  • NSPE Code requirements to be 'objective and truthful' and 'include all relevant and pertinent information'
  • BER's retrospective review of the conduct
Sufficient Factors:
  • The incomplete, self-serving evaluation measured against the cited Code sections was sufficient for the BER to find that aspect of the conduct unethical
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A provided complete, objective information (or a mere referral to resources), the BER indicated the response would have been completely ethical or not unethical
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Selective Method Presentation
    Memo identifies only two of four approved methods
  2. Incomplete Information Delivery
    City B receives incomplete and self-serving information
  3. BER Review
    The conduct is measured against Code requirements to be objective, truthful, and complete
  4. Unethical Conduct Finding
    BER concludes the incomplete, self-serving information aspect was unethical
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Incomplete Information Delivery
  • effect: Unethical Conduct Finding
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Both aspects of the conduct were unethical in the view of the BER.
  • necessaryFactors content: Delivery of incomplete and self-serving information to City B; NSPE Code requirements to be 'objective and truthful' and 'include all relevant and pertinent information'; BER's retrospective review of the conduct
  • sufficientFactors content: The incomplete, self-serving evaluation measured against the cited Code sections was sufficient for the BER to find that aspect of the conduct unethical
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A provided complete, objective information (or a mere referral to resources), the BER indicated the response would have been completely ethical or not unethical
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew of all four approved delivery methods and the firm's interest in the recommended method
  • interveningFactors content: BER's application of NSPE Code sections during review
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Selective Method Presentation', 'proeth:description': 'Memo identifies only two of four approved methods'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Incomplete Information Delivery', 'proeth:description': 'City B receives incomplete and self-serving information'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'BER Review', 'proeth:description': 'The conduct is measured against Code requirements to be objective, truthful, and complete'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Unethical Conduct Finding', 'proeth:description': 'BER concludes the incomplete, self-serving information aspect was unethical'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_6",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.774062+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew of all four approved delivery methods and the firm\u0027s interest in the recommended method",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Both aspects of the conduct were unethical in the view of the BER.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Memo identifies only two of four approved methods",
      "proeth:element": "Selective Method Presentation",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "City B receives incomplete and self-serving information",
      "proeth:element": "Incomplete Information Delivery",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The conduct is measured against Code requirements to be objective, truthful, and complete",
      "proeth:element": "BER Review",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "BER concludes the incomplete, self-serving information aspect was unethical",
      "proeth:element": "Unethical Conduct Finding",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Incomplete Information Delivery",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A provided complete, objective information (or a mere referral to resources), the BER indicated the response would have been completely ethical or not unethical",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Unethical Conduct Finding",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "BER\u0027s application of NSPE Code sections during review"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Delivery of incomplete and self-serving information to City B",
    "NSPE Code requirements to be \u0027objective and truthful\u0027 and \u0027include all relevant and pertinent information\u0027",
    "BER\u0027s retrospective review of the conduct"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "The incomplete, self-serving evaluation measured against the cited Code sections was sufficient for the BER to find that aspect of the conduct unethical"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: By their very words, the cited sections of the NSPE Code of Ethics provide appropriate guidance: “objective and truthful,” “include all relevant and pertinent information,” “not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work.”

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Extension of uncompensated engineering services to City B
  • NSPE Code prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work
  • BER's retrospective review of the conduct
Sufficient Factors:
  • Provision of free engineering services in a context of potential future work, judged against the Code, was sufficient for the BER to find that aspect unethical
Counterfactual Test: Had Engineer A avoided providing engineering services (e.g., a referral or compilation of others' referenced analyses), this basis for the unethical finding would not exist
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineer A
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Free Engineering Evaluation Provision
    Engineer A responds with an uncompensated engineering evaluation
  2. Free Services Extension
    Engineering services are provided without a contract, functioning as valuable consideration
  3. BER Review
    The conduct is measured against the Code prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work
  4. Unethical Conduct Finding
    BER concludes the extension of free services aspect was unethical
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Free Services Extension
  • effect: Unethical Conduct Finding
  • responsibleAgent: Engineer A
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: By their very words, the cited sections of the NSPE Code of Ethics provide appropriate guidance: “objective and truthful,” “include all relevant and pertinent information,” “not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work.”
  • necessaryFactors content: Extension of uncompensated engineering services to City B; NSPE Code prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work; BER's retrospective review of the conduct
  • sufficientFactors content: Provision of free engineering services in a context of potential future work, judged against the Code, was sufficient for the BER to find that aspect unethical
  • counterfactual content: Had Engineer A avoided providing engineering services (e.g., a referral or compilation of others' referenced analyses), this basis for the unethical finding would not exist
  • agentKnowledge content: Engineer A knew no contractual relationship existed with City B and that the recommended method could yield work for the firm
  • interveningFactors content: City Administrator's informal solicitation; Ambiguity about whether a donation of services was knowingly solicited
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Free Engineering Evaluation Provision', 'proeth:description': 'Engineer A responds with an uncompensated engineering evaluation'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Free Services Extension', 'proeth:description': 'Engineering services are provided without a contract, functioning as valuable consideration'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'BER Review', 'proeth:description': 'The conduct is measured against the Code prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Unethical Conduct Finding', 'proeth:description': 'BER concludes the extension of free services aspect was unethical'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#",
    "rdf": "http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#",
    "rdfs": "http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#"
  },
  "@id": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/14#CausalChain_7",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-15T00:10:57.774080+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "Engineer A knew no contractual relationship existed with City B and that the recommended method could yield work for the firm",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "By their very words, the cited sections of the NSPE Code of Ethics provide appropriate guidance: \u201cobjective and truthful,\u201d \u201cinclude all relevant and pertinent information,\u201d \u201cnot offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work.\u201d",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineer A responds with an uncompensated engineering evaluation",
      "proeth:element": "Free Engineering Evaluation Provision",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineering services are provided without a contract, functioning as valuable consideration",
      "proeth:element": "Free Services Extension",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "The conduct is measured against the Code prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work",
      "proeth:element": "BER Review",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "BER concludes the extension of free services aspect was unethical",
      "proeth:element": "Unethical Conduct Finding",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Free Services Extension",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had Engineer A avoided providing engineering services (e.g., a referral or compilation of others\u0027 referenced analyses), this basis for the unethical finding would not exist",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Unethical Conduct Finding",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "City Administrator\u0027s informal solicitation",
    "Ambiguity about whether a donation of services was knowingly solicited"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Extension of uncompensated engineering services to City B",
    "NSPE Code prohibition on offering valuable consideration to secure work",
    "BER\u0027s retrospective review of the conduct"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineer A",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Provision of free engineering services in a context of potential future work, judged against the Code, was sufficient for the BER to find that aspect unethical"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (7)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties
From Entity Allen Relation To Entity OWL-Time Property Evidence
Engineer A's memo and recommendation before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		the upcoming wastewater system improvements project time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		asked Engineer A for a recommendation on project delivery methods for their upcoming wastewater syst... [more]
hypothetical selection of Construction Manager at Risk by City B before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		funding agency requirement that CMAR firm and Engineer of Record be distinct entities takes effect time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		if Construction Manager at Risk is selected by the owner, City B, the funding agency requires the Co... [more]
City Administrator's solicitation of a recommendation before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		Engineer A's preparation of the summary memo time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		City B's City Administrator asked Engineer A for a recommendation... Engineer A prepared a summary m... [more]
Engineer A's absence of a contractual relationship with City B overlaps
Entity1 starts before Entity2 and ends during Entity2 		the solicitation and provision of the recommendation time:intervalOverlaps
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalOverlaps 		Engineer A currently has no contractual relationship with City B. City B's City Administrator asked ... [more]
Engineer A's past Progressive-Design-Build projects before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		preparation of the summary memo and recommendation time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Engineer A provided a summary of the firm's experience with Progressive-Design-Build projects and re... [more]
Engineer A's recommendation of Progressive-Design-Build equals
Entity1 and Entity2 have the same start and end times 		provision of the firm's experience summary and references time:intervalEquals
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalEquals 		Accompanying the recommendation, Engineer A provided a summary of the firm's experience with Progres... [more]
Engineer A's conduct (memo, recommendation, free services) before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		BER's retrospective ethical evaluation of the conduct time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Both aspects of the conduct were unethical in the view of the BER. (The Discussion section retrospec... [more]
About Allen Relations & OWL-Time

Allen's Interval Algebra provides 13 basic temporal relations between intervals. These relations are mapped to OWL-Time standard properties for interoperability with Semantic Web temporal reasoning systems and SPARQL queries.

Each relation includes both a ProEthica custom property and a time:* OWL-Time property for maximum compatibility.

Back to Extraction Continue to Step 4

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