Step 4: Synthesis Review
Case 22: Sharing As-Built Drawings
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Synthesis Reasoning Flow
Shows how NSPE provisions inform questions and conclusions - the board's reasoning chainNode Types & Relationships
→ Question answered by Conclusion
→ Provision applies to Entity
NSPE Code Provisions Referenced
View ExtractionI.4. I.4.
Full Text:
Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
Applies To:
I.6. I.6.
Full Text:
Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
Applies To:
II.1.c. II.1.c.
Full Text:
Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information without the prior consent of the client or employer except as authorized or required by law or this Code.
Applies To:
II.5.b. II.5.b.
Full Text:
Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or receive, either directly or indirectly, any contribution to influence the award of a contract by public authority, or which may be reasonably construed by the public as having the effect or intent of influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. They shall not pay a commission, percentage, or brokerage fee in order to secure work, except to a bona fide employee or bona fide established commercial or marketing agencies retained by them.
Applies To:
III.1. III.1.
Full Text:
Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Applies To:
III.4. III.4.
Full Text:
Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve.
Applies To:
Questions & Conclusions
View ExtractionQuestion 1 Board Question
Is it ethical for Engineer D to provide access to as-builts after projects were awarded?
It is ethical for Engineer D to make it known that as-built drawings are available; but they should be readily available to contractors as part of the standard project delivery process to assure that all contractors have equal access to the information.
Question 2 Board Question
Is it ethical for Engineer D to share as-builts with sprinkler contractors who ask for information during the bidding phase?
It is unethical for Engineer D to share as-built documents selectively pre-bid.
Question 3 Implicit
Does Engineer D's pattern of informal information sharing create an appearance of favoritism that undermines public trust in government procurement?
Beyond the Board's finding that selective pre-bid sharing is unethical, Engineer D's pattern of informal information sharing created a two-tiered system where repeat contractors gained systematic advantages. This demonstrates how well-intentioned individual actions can institutionalize unfairness when they become normalized practices without formal oversight or equal access mechanisms.
Question 4 Implicit
Should Engineer D have obtained explicit consent from the state agency before sharing as-built drawings, even post-award?
Question 5 Implicit
What obligation does Engineer D have to advocate for systemic change in the state agency's procurement process to prevent future ethical dilemmas?
The Board's recommendation for standard project delivery processes addresses a critical gap in public procurement ethics. Engineer D's situation reveals that ethical obligations extend beyond individual compliance to include advocacy for systemic improvements that prevent ethical dilemmas from arising in the first place, particularly when serving as a faithful agent to public employers.
Question 6 Principle Tension
How should Engineer D balance the principle of Transparency_InformationDisclosure against the constraint of No_Selective_Information_Disclosure when contractors request information?
This case demonstrates how the tension between Transparency_InformationDisclosure and No_Selective_Information_Disclosure was resolved by prioritizing procedural fairness over individual accommodation. The Board's synthesis shows that transparency must be systematically implemented rather than selectively applied, and that the faithful agent obligation to employers includes ensuring fair procurement processes.
Question 7 Principle Tension
Does the FaithfulAgent_CaseD_Canon conflict with InformationEquity_ContractorAccess when the employer's procurement process creates information asymmetries?
The case reveals that InformationEquity_ContractorAccess operates as a meta-principle that constrains how other ethical obligations are fulfilled. Engineer D's confidentiality obligations and faithful agency duties must be exercised within the bounds of equal treatment, demonstrating that procedural fairness in public procurement creates ethical boundaries that individual discretion cannot override, even with good intentions.
Question 8 Principle Tension
How does ProceduralFairness_BiddingProcess tension with EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts when as-built drawings contain sensitive facility information?
The case reveals that InformationEquity_ContractorAccess operates as a meta-principle that constrains how other ethical obligations are fulfilled. Engineer D's confidentiality obligations and faithful agency duties must be exercised within the bounds of equal treatment, demonstrating that procedural fairness in public procurement creates ethical boundaries that individual discretion cannot override, even with good intentions.
From a deontological perspective, did Engineer D fulfill their duty of impartiality when they began selectively sharing as-built drawings with repeat contractors?
From a deontological perspective (Q301), Engineer D failed their duty of impartiality when they began accommodating repeat contractors' requests without establishing universal access protocols. The categorical imperative would require that Engineer D's information-sharing practices be universalizable - meaning they should work ethically if applied to all similar situations, which selective sharing clearly cannot satisfy.
From a consequentialist perspective, do the efficiency gains from Engineer D's informal information sharing justify the potential unfairness to contractors who didn't receive drawings?
From a virtue ethics perspective, does Engineer D demonstrate professional integrity when they continue informal practices despite recognizing the fairness implications?
Question 12 Counterfactual
Would the ethical implications differ if Engineer D had proactively advocated for including as-built drawings in the original bid documents rather than sharing them informally?
Regarding the counterfactual scenario (Q401), if Engineer D had proactively advocated for including as-built drawings in original bid documents, this would have transformed a reactive ethical violation into proactive ethical leadership. Such advocacy would fulfill both the faithful agent obligation to the employer and the fairness obligation to all potential contractors, demonstrating how systemic solutions can resolve individual ethical dilemmas.
Question 13 Counterfactual
What if Engineer D had established a formal policy requiring all contractors to submit written requests for as-built drawings during the bidding phase?
Question 14 Counterfactual
How would the analysis change if the as-built drawings contained security-sensitive information about the state facility's fire protection systems?
Rich Analysis Results
View ExtractionCausal-Normative Links 3
Post-Award Drawing Provision
- Faithful Agency Obligation
- EngineerD_FaithfulAgency_Employer
- EngineerD_Disclosure_AsBuiltAvailability
Continued Drawing Distribution
- Fair Competition Obligation
- EngineerD_FairCompetition_Contractors
- Procurement Integrity Obligation
- EngineerD_ProcurementIntegrity_PreBid
Pre-Bid Information Decision
- Procurement Integrity Obligation
- EngineerD_ProcurementIntegrity_PreBid
- EngineerD_Disclosure_BidDocuments
Question Emergence 14
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Competing Warrants
- Fair Competition Obligation Faithful Agency Obligation
- Procurement Integrity Obligation EngineerD_Disclosure_AsBuiltAvailability
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
Triggering Actions
- Continued Drawing Distribution
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- EngineerD_FaithfulAgency_Employer EngineerD_FairCompetition_Contractors
Triggering Events
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Competing Warrants
- Fair Competition Obligation EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts
- Procurement Integrity Obligation Faithful Agency Obligation
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- Fair Competition Obligation Procurement Integrity Obligation
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- Fair Competition Obligation Procurement Integrity Obligation
Triggering Events
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
Triggering Actions
- Continued Drawing Distribution
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- Faithful Agency Obligation Procurement Integrity Obligation
Triggering Events
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
Triggering Actions
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Competing Warrants
- Fair Competition Obligation Faithful Agency Obligation
- Procurement Integrity Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Competing Warrants
- Fair Competition Obligation Procurement Integrity Obligation
- EngineerD_FairCompetition_Contractors EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts
Triggering Events
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Triggering Actions
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Competing Warrants
- Fair Competition Obligation Faithful Agency Obligation
- Procurement Integrity Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Continued Drawing Distribution
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Competing Warrants
- Procurement Integrity Obligation Faithful Agency Obligation
- Fair Competition Obligation EngineerD_Professional_Impartiality
Triggering Events
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Triggering Actions
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- Procurement Integrity Obligation EngineerD_Professional_Impartiality
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- Fair Competition Obligation Procurement Integrity Obligation
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
Competing Warrants
- Fair Competition Obligation Procurement Integrity Obligation
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
Triggering Events
- Contractor Request Pattern Shift
- Fairness Concerns Emergence
Triggering Actions
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision
- Continued Drawing Distribution
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
Competing Warrants
- Faithful Agency Obligation Fair Competition Obligation
- Procurement Integrity Obligation Faithful Agency Obligation
Resolution Patterns 8
Determinative Principles
- Transparency_InformationDisclosure
- InformationEquity_ContractorAccess
- ProceduralFairness_BiddingProcess
Determinative Facts
- As-built drawings provide valuable information for contractors
- Information sharing can improve project outcomes
- Equal access ensures fair competition
Determinative Principles
- No_Selective_Information_Disclosure
- InformationEquity_ContractorAccess
- ProceduralFairness_BiddingProcess
Determinative Facts
- Selective sharing creates competitive advantages for some contractors
- Pre-bid phase is critical for fair competition
- Repeat contractors gained systematic advantages
Determinative Principles
- InformationEquity_ContractorAccess
- ProceduralFairness_BiddingProcess
- Public trust in government procurement
Determinative Facts
- Pattern of informal sharing with repeat contractors
- Systematic advantages created over time
- Lack of formal oversight or equal access mechanisms
Determinative Principles
- FaithfulAgent_CaseD_Canon
- Systemic improvement obligation
- Proactive ethical leadership
Determinative Facts
- Gap in standard project delivery processes
- Preventable ethical dilemmas
- Public employer context requiring faithful agency
Determinative Principles
- Duty of impartiality
- Categorical imperative
- Universalizability test
Determinative Facts
- Accommodation of repeat contractors only
- Lack of universal access protocols
- Selective sharing practices
Determinative Principles
- Proactive ethical leadership
- FaithfulAgent_CaseD_Canon
- InformationEquity_ContractorAccess
Determinative Facts
- Counterfactual scenario of proactive advocacy
- Potential for systemic solution
- Dual obligations to employer and fairness
Determinative Principles
- Transparency_InformationDisclosure
- No_Selective_Information_Disclosure
- ProceduralFairness_BiddingProcess
- FaithfulAgent_CaseD_Canon
Determinative Facts
- Tension between transparency and selective disclosure
- Need for systematic implementation
- Fair procurement process requirements
Determinative Principles
- InformationEquity_ContractorAccess as meta-principle
- EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts
- FaithfulAgent_CaseD_Canon
- ProceduralFairness_BiddingProcess
Determinative Facts
- Information equity as constraining principle
- Confidentiality and faithful agency obligations
- Public procurement context
- Limits on individual discretion
Decision Points
View ExtractionShould Engineer D provide as-built drawings before, during, or after the bidding process?
- Pre-bid provision
- Post-award provision
- Controlled disclosure
Engineer D should provide drawings before bidding begins to ensure all contractors have complete information
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT provide drawings before bidding begins to ensure all contractors have complete information
Because professional discretion may require withholding information
Engineer D should withhold drawings until after contract award to maintain procurement integrity
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT withhold drawings until after contract award to maintain procurement integrity
Because this may reduce necessary human judgment and oversight
Engineer D should adopt the Include only essential drawing information in official bid documents
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT adopt the Include only essential drawing information in official bid documents
Because professional discretion may require withholding information
How should Engineer D respond to contractor requests for additional drawing information during active bidding?
- Provide to all
- Deny all requests
- Formal addendum only
Engineer D should adopt the Give requested information to all contractors to maintain fairness
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT adopt the Give requested information to all contractors to maintain fairness
Because professional discretion may require withholding information
Engineer D should refuse additional information to preserve procurement integrity
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT refuse additional information to preserve procurement integrity
Because professional discretion may require withholding information
Engineer D should adopt the Only provide information through official bid addenda processes
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT adopt the Only provide information through official bid addenda processes
Because professional discretion may require withholding information
What information about as-built conditions should be included in the formal bid documentation?
- Full disclosure
- Summary disclosure
- Minimal disclosure
Engineer D should adopt the Include complete as-built drawings and all known condition information
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT adopt the Include complete as-built drawings and all known condition information
Because EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts would be violated
Engineer D should provide general condition descriptions without detailed drawings
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT provide general condition descriptions without detailed drawings
Because EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts would be violated
Engineer D should adopt the Include only information directly relevant to the new project scope
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT adopt the Include only information directly relevant to the new project scope
Because EngineerD_Confidentiality_AsBuilts would be violated
How should Engineer D respond when employer interests conflict with procurement integrity requirements?
- Comply with employer
- Maintain integrity
- Seek compromise
Engineer D should follow employer directives regarding information sharing
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT follow employer directives regarding information sharing
Because professional discretion may require withholding information
Engineer D should refuse employer requests that compromise procurement integrity
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT refuse employer requests that compromise procurement integrity
Because this may reduce necessary human judgment and oversight
Engineer D should adopt the Work with employer to find solutions that satisfy both obligations
Because this promotes Professional Judgment
Engineer D should NOT adopt the Work with employer to find solutions that satisfy both obligations
Because this may reduce necessary human judgment and oversight
Case Narrative
Phase 4 narrative construction results for Case 22
Opening Context
You are a professional engineer serving in an advisory capacity, tasked with ensuring ethical compliance in a complex contracting situation involving sprinkler system installations. As you review the project details, you notice a significant information gap between what the contractors know and what has been disclosed to the client, creating a situation where your professional obligations may conflict with established industry practices. Your role as a faithful agent requires you to navigate this information asymmetry while upholding the highest standards of engineering ethics.
Characters (8)
Government entity responsible for overseeing public construction projects and ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and safety standards.
- To ensure fair competition, protect public funds, and maintain transparency in the bidding process while delivering safe, compliant infrastructure projects.
Private companies competing for fire suppression system installation contracts through the public bidding process.
- To secure profitable contracts through competitive bidding while maintaining their reputation and ensuring they have access to accurate project information for fair competition.
Professional engineer involved in the procurement process with specific obligations regarding fair competition, disclosure, and maintaining professional impartiality.
- To uphold professional engineering ethics while navigating competing pressures from employers and maintaining integrity in the bidding process.
Organization that employs Engineer D and likely has financial or competitive interests in the outcome of the procurement process.
- To maximize business advantages and profitability while expecting loyal service from their employed engineer, potentially creating conflicts with ethical obligations.
Professional engineer with a faithful agency obligation, likely serving in an advisory or oversight capacity to ensure ethical compliance.
- To fulfill their duty of faithful service to their principal while maintaining professional engineering standards and ethical conduct.
States (10)
Event Timeline (9)
| # | Event | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The case begins in a construction project environment where some parties have access to critical technical information while others do not, creating an uneven playing field. This information imbalance sets the stage for potential ethical conflicts regarding fair competition and professional responsibility. | state |
| 2 | After the initial contract award, a provision is established allowing for the distribution of detailed technical drawings to contractors. This arrangement creates a framework that will later become central to questions about competitive fairness and information access. | action |
| 3 | The practice of sharing technical drawings with contractors continues as an ongoing operational procedure. This established pattern of information sharing becomes a standard expectation that influences how future bidding processes are conducted. | action |
| 4 | A critical decision is made regarding whether to provide technical information to contractors before they submit their bids. This decision point represents a pivotal moment that will significantly impact the fairness and transparency of the competitive bidding process. | action |
| 5 | Contractors begin changing their approach to requesting access to technical drawings and project information. This shift in behavior indicates growing awareness among bidders about the competitive advantages that access to detailed technical information can provide. | automatic |
| 6 | Questions arise about whether all contractors are being treated equitably in terms of access to project information and technical resources. These fairness concerns highlight potential violations of competitive bidding principles and professional engineering ethics. | automatic |
| 7 | Engineer D faces a fundamental conflict between their professional obligation to loyally serve their employer's interests and their ethical duty to ensure fair competition among all bidding contractors. This tension represents a classic dilemma between competing professional responsibilities. | automatic |
| 8 | Engineer D must balance their responsibility to protect confidential technical drawings and proprietary information against their professional obligation to promote transparency and fairness in the bidding process. This conflict highlights the challenge of managing competing ethical duties in professional practice. | automatic |
| 9 | It is ethical for Engineer D to make it known that as-built drawings are available; but they should be readily available to contractors as part of the standard project delivery process to assure that | outcome |
Sequential action-event relationships. See Analysis tab for action-obligation links.
- Post-Award_Drawing_Provision Continued Drawing Distribution
- Continued Drawing Distribution Pre-Bid_Information_Decision
- Pre-Bid_Information_Decision Contractor Request Pattern Shift
Key Takeaways
- Engineers must balance employer loyalty with fair competition by ensuring equal access to critical project information like as-built drawings.
- Transparency in bidding processes requires proactive disclosure of available information rather than selective or reactive sharing that could advantage certain contractors.
- The ethical resolution involves standardizing information availability as part of normal project delivery to eliminate conflicts between confidentiality and fairness.