Step 1: Contextual Framework Pass (Facts)

Section Content:

Facts:
Four of the key engineering employees of a firm headed by Engineer A left the firm at the same time following disagreement on certain firm policies and promptly organized a new engineering firm, B, with the four engineers as the principals.
Firm B promptly contacted the former clients of Firm A, including some former clients of Firm A which had projects under discussion with Firm A, but for which specific selection or negotiation had not taken place.
In some instances one or more of the four engineers had been involved with the former clients of Engineer A while in his employ.
While Firm B was making these contacts to indicate the availability of the new firm for assignments from the former clients, Engineer A was also making contact with the former clients to indicate that his firm was still available for future commissions and retained its capacity to provide proper services despite the departure of the four engineers.
Engineer A has protested the action of the four engineers on ethical grounds, alleging that they violated the rule against supplanting.
Further, he was told by the clients that Firm B had cast doubt on the ability of A to provide quality services.
In his discussions with the former clients Engineer A indicated doubt that Firm B was qualified to provide quality services.