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Overview
Provenance Draft

PASS 3: Temporal Dynamics

Case 90: Case Number 60-3

15 entities 3 actions 2 events 3 causal chains 6 temporal relations
Timeline Overview
Action Event 5 sequenced markers
Sub-Professional Service Provision Ongoing prior to and at the time of the bid invitation
Competitive Bid Submission Present decision point, upon receipt of the bid invitation
Work Category Segregation Prospective, upon undertaking sub-professional work alongside professional practice
Bid Invitation Receipt Present moment of the case, after the firm's history of occasional sub-professional work
Code Sections Removal Subsequent to the case decision, noted editorially
OWL-Time Temporal Structure 6 relations time: = w3.org/2006/time
firm's occasional provision of sub-professional services time:intervalBefore invitation to submit a written bid
invitation to submit a written bid time:intervalBefore ethical analysis/discussion of whether bidding is permissible
sub-professional and nonprofessional work time:intervalDuring contracts for professional engineering services
case decision citing Canons 2 and 19 time:intervalBefore removal of Code Sections 2 and 19
firm's sub-professional services activity time:intervalOverlaps firm's professional engineering practice
clear distinction/segregation of work categories (in contract or correspondence) time:intervalBefore permissible competitive bidding for sub-professional services
Extracted Actions (3)
Volitional professional decisions with intentions and ethical context

Description: The engineering firm, whose principals are all professional engineers, has occasionally provided services regarded as sub-professional in character alongside its professional engineering practice.

Temporal Marker: Ongoing prior to and at the time of the bid invitation interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Mixed Professional and Sub-Professional Practice

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Provide related sub-professional services as a business activity in conjunction with professional engineering practice

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Possible misunderstanding by clients and the public about which category of work the firm is performing
Required Capabilities:
Sub-professional and business service delivery
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • requiresCapability: Sub-professional and business service delivery
  • initiates: Mixed Professional and Sub-Professional Practice
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The engineering firm, whose principals are all professional engineers, has occasionally provided services regarded as sub-professional in character alongside its professional engineering practice.
  • hasAgent content: Engineering firm
  • temporalMarker content: Ongoing prior to and at the time of the bid invitation
  • eventRoleContext content: all principals are professional engineers
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Provide related sub-professional services as a business activity in conjunction with professional engineering practice
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Possible misunderstanding by clients and the public about which category of work the firm is performing
  • textReferences content: provides services on occasion of a type and nature regarded as sub-professional in character, although related to professional engineering services
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 1
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#Action_Sub-Professional_Service_Provision",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982132+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "The engineering firm, whose principals are all professional engineers, has occasionally provided services regarded as sub-professional in character alongside its professional engineering practice.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "all principals are professional engineers",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Possible misunderstanding by clients and the public about which category of work the firm is performing"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineering firm",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Mixed Professional and Sub-Professional Practice"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Provide related sub-professional services as a business activity in conjunction with professional engineering practice",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Sub-professional and business service delivery"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Ongoing prior to and at the time of the bid invitation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 1,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "provides services on occasion of a type and nature regarded as sub-professional in character, although related to professional engineering services"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Sub-Professional Service Provision"
}

Description: The firm faces the decision whether to respond to the invitation and submit a written competitive bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services, which the discussion concludes is permissible for such services.

Temporal Marker: Present decision point, upon receipt of the bid invitation instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Competitive Bidding Engagement for Sub-Professional Work

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Obtain the sub-professional work by competing on price where the services may be clearly and accurately specified

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • Risk that clients or the public may confuse the bid work with professional engineering services if the categories are not distinguished
Guided By Principles:
  • Protection of the Public
Required Capabilities:
Bid preparation for clearly specified sub-professional services
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • guidedByPrinciple: Protection of the Public
  • requiresCapability: Bid preparation for clearly specified sub-professional services
  • initiates: Competitive Bidding Engagement for Sub-Professional Work
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The firm faces the decision whether to respond to the invitation and submit a written competitive bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services, which the discussion concludes is permissible for such services.
  • hasAgent content: Engineering firm
  • temporalMarker content: Present decision point, upon receipt of the bid invitation
  • eventRoleContext content: all principals are professional engineers
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Obtain the sub-professional work by competing on price where the services may be clearly and accurately specified
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: Risk that clients or the public may confuse the bid work with professional engineering services if the categories are not distinguished
  • textReferences content: The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services.; this difference permits competitive bidding for sub-professional or nonprofessional (business or commercial) services, which may be clearly and accurately specified
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 3
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#Action_Competitive_Bid_Submission",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982290+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "The firm faces the decision whether to respond to the invitation and submit a written competitive bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services, which the discussion concludes is permissible for such services.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "all principals are professional engineers",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "Risk that clients or the public may confuse the bid work with professional engineering services if the categories are not distinguished"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Protection of the Public"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineering firm",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Competitive Bidding Engagement for Sub-Professional Work"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Obtain the sub-professional work by competing on price where the services may be clearly and accurately specified",
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Bid preparation for clearly specified sub-professional services"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Present decision point, upon receipt of the bid invitation",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 3,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services.",
    "this difference permits competitive bidding for sub-professional or nonprofessional (business or commercial) services, which may be clearly and accurately specified"
  ],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Competitive Bid Submission"
}

Description: If the firm proceeds with both categories of work, the engineers should adopt means to segregate sub-professional work from professional work, preferably through a separate organization with a distinct name, or where that is not practicable, through references in the contract or in correspondence.

Temporal Marker: Prospective, upon undertaking sub-professional work alongside professional practice interval

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Clear Distinction Between Work Categories

Mental State: deliberate

Intended Outcome: Make clear to clients and the public the distinction between professional and sub-professional categories of work

Foreseen Unintended Effects:

  • A separate organization may not be practicable, leaving lesser segregation measures such as contract or correspondence references
Obligation Engagement:
Fulfills (1)
  • Duty to Make Clear the Distinction Between Categories of Work
Guided By Principles:
  • Dignity and Honor of the Profession
  • Protection of the Profession from Misrepresentation and Misunderstanding
Required Capabilities:
Organizational structuring Contract drafting and correspondence
Within Competence: Yes
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • fulfillsObligation: Duty to Make Clear the Distinction Between Categories of Work
  • guidedByPrinciple: Dignity and Honor of the Profession; Protection of the Profession from Misrepresentation and Misunderstanding
  • requiresCapability: Organizational structuring; Contract drafting and correspondence
  • initiates: Clear Distinction Between Work Categories
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: If the firm proceeds with both categories of work, the engineers should adopt means to segregate sub-professional work from professional work, preferably through a separate organization with a distinct name, or where that is not practicable, through references in the contract or in correspondence.
  • hasAgent content: Engineering firm principals
  • temporalMarker content: Prospective, upon undertaking sub-professional work alongside professional practice
  • eventRoleContext content: professional engineers
  • hasMentalState content: deliberate
  • intendedOutcome content: Make clear to clients and the public the distinction between professional and sub-professional categories of work
  • foreseenUnintendedEffects content: A separate organization may not be practicable, leaving lesser segregation measures such as contract or correspondence references
  • textReferences content: it becomes incumbent upon the engineer involved to be scrupulously careful to make clear to his clients and the public the distinction between the two categories of work; to operate through a separate form of organization, with a distinct name; the engineer should adopt other means to segregate the types of work, including references in the contract or in correspondence
  • temporalExtent content: interval
  • temporalSequence content: 4
  • withinCompetence assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
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  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#Action_Work_Category_Segregation",
  "@type": "proeth:Action",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982340+00:00",
  "proeth:description": "If the firm proceeds with both categories of work, the engineers should adopt means to segregate sub-professional work from professional work, preferably through a separate organization with a distinct name, or where that is not practicable, through references in the contract or in correspondence.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventRoleContext": "professional engineers",
  "proeth:foreseenUnintendedEffects": [
    "A separate organization may not be practicable, leaving lesser segregation measures such as contract or correspondence references"
  ],
  "proeth:fulfillsObligation": [
    "Duty to Make Clear the Distinction Between Categories of Work"
  ],
  "proeth:guidedByPrinciple": [
    "Dignity and Honor of the Profession",
    "Protection of the Profession from Misrepresentation and Misunderstanding"
  ],
  "proeth:hasAgent": "Engineering firm principals",
  "proeth:hasMentalState": "deliberate",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Clear Distinction Between Work Categories"
  ],
  "proeth:intendedOutcome": "Make clear to clients and the public the distinction between professional and sub-professional categories of work",
  "proeth:raisesObligation": [],
  "proeth:requiresCapability": [
    "Organizational structuring",
    "Contract drafting and correspondence"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "interval",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Prospective, upon undertaking sub-professional work alongside professional practice",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 4,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "it becomes incumbent upon the engineer involved to be scrupulously careful to make clear to his clients and the public the distinction between the two categories of work",
    "to operate through a separate form of organization, with a distinct name",
    "the engineer should adopt other means to segregate the types of work, including references in the contract or in correspondence"
  ],
  "proeth:violatesObligation": [],
  "proeth:withinCompetence": true,
  "rdfs:label": "Work Category Segregation"
}
Extracted Events (2)
Occurrences that trigger ethical considerations and state changes

Description: The engineering firm receives an invitation to submit a written competitive bid for work consisting solely of sub-professional services, creating the ethical question the case addresses.

Temporal Marker: Present moment of the case, after the firm's history of occasional sub-professional work instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Pending Sub-Professional Bid Opportunity
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Pending Sub-Professional Bid Opportunity
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The engineering firm receives an invitation to submit a written competitive bid for work consisting solely of sub-professional services, creating the ethical question the case addresses.
  • temporalMarker content: Present moment of the case, after the firm's history of occasional sub-professional work
  • textReferences content: The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services.
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 2
  • confidence assessment: 0.95
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#Event_Bid_Invitation_Receipt",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982424+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.95",
  "proeth:description": "The engineering firm receives an invitation to submit a written competitive bid for work consisting solely of sub-professional services, creating the ethical question the case addresses.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Pending Sub-Professional Bid Opportunity"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Present moment of the case, after the firm\u0027s history of occasional sub-professional work",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 2,
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services."
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Bid Invitation Receipt"
}

Description: The cited Canons of Ethics sections relied upon in the discussion, Sections 2 and 19, were subsequently removed from the code, superseding the ethical framework used in the case.

Temporal Marker: Subsequent to the case decision, noted editorially instant

Fluent Transitions:
Initiates (1)
  • Superseded Code Framework
Terminates (1)
  • Canons Sections 2 and 19 In Force
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • initiates: Superseded Code Framework
  • terminates: Canons Sections 2 and 19 In Force
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • description content: The cited Canons of Ethics sections relied upon in the discussion, Sections 2 and 19, were subsequently removed from the code, superseding the ethical framework used in the case.
  • temporalMarker content: Subsequent to the case decision, noted editorially
  • textReferences content: Note: The following Code sections no longer exist: Canons of Ethics, Section 2
  • eventType content: exogenous
  • temporalExtent content: instant
  • temporalSequence content: 5
  • confidence assessment: 0.85
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#Event_Code_Sections_Removal",
  "@type": "proeth:Event",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982461+00:00",
  "proeth:confidence": "0.85",
  "proeth:description": "The cited Canons of Ethics sections relied upon in the discussion, Sections 2 and 19, were subsequently removed from the code, superseding the ethical framework used in the case.",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:eventType": "exogenous",
  "proeth:initiates": [
    "Superseded Code Framework"
  ],
  "proeth:temporalExtent": "instant",
  "proeth:temporalMarker": "Subsequent to the case decision, noted editorially",
  "proeth:temporalSequence": 5,
  "proeth:terminates": [
    "Canons Sections 2 and 19 In Force"
  ],
  "proeth:textReferences": [
    "Note: The following Code sections no longer exist: Canons of Ethics, Section 2"
  ],
  "rdfs:label": "Code Sections Removal"
}
Causal Chains (3)
NESS test analysis: Necessary Element of Sufficient Set

Causal Language: An engineering firm in which all the principals are professional engineers provides services on occasion of a type and nature regarded as sub-professional in character, although related to professional engineering services. The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Firm's established practice of occasionally providing sub-professional services
  • Existence of a client with work comprised solely of sub-professional services
  • Firm's visibility to the inviting party as a potential provider of such services
Sufficient Factors:
  • Combination of the firm's known capability in sub-professional work and a client's need for solely sub-professional services
Counterfactual Test: Had the firm never provided sub-professional services, it would likely not have been identified and invited to bid on work comprised solely of such services
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)
Type: shared
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Sub-Professional Service Provision
    Firm of professional engineers occasionally provides sub-professional services related to engineering
  2. Market Recognition
    Firm becomes known to prospective clients as capable of performing sub-professional work
  3. Bid Invitation Receipt
    Firm receives an invitation to submit a written competitive bid for work consisting solely of sub-professional services
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Sub-Professional Service Provision
  • effect: Bid Invitation Receipt
  • responsibleAgent: Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: An engineering firm in which all the principals are professional engineers provides services on occasion of a type and nature regarded as sub-professional in character, although related to professional engineering services. The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services.
  • necessaryFactors content: Firm's established practice of occasionally providing sub-professional services; Existence of a client with work comprised solely of sub-professional services; Firm's visibility to the inviting party as a potential provider of such services
  • sufficientFactors content: Combination of the firm's known capability in sub-professional work and a client's need for solely sub-professional services
  • counterfactual content: Had the firm never provided sub-professional services, it would likely not have been identified and invited to bid on work comprised solely of such services
  • agentKnowledge content: The principals knowingly provided services regarded as sub-professional in character alongside their professional engineering practice
  • interveningFactors content: Client's independent decision to solicit written bids; Market demand for sub-professional services
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Sub-Professional Service Provision', 'proeth:description': 'Firm of professional engineers occasionally provides sub-professional services related to engineering'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Market Recognition', 'proeth:description': 'Firm becomes known to prospective clients as capable of performing sub-professional work'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Bid Invitation Receipt', 'proeth:description': 'Firm receives an invitation to submit a written competitive bid for work consisting solely of sub-professional services'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: shared
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
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  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#CausalChain_1",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982523+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "The principals knowingly provided services regarded as sub-professional in character alongside their professional engineering practice",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "An engineering firm in which all the principals are professional engineers provides services on occasion of a type and nature regarded as sub-professional in character, although related to professional engineering services. The firm is invited to submit a written bid for work comprised solely of sub-professional services.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Firm of professional engineers occasionally provides sub-professional services related to engineering",
      "proeth:element": "Sub-Professional Service Provision",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Firm becomes known to prospective clients as capable of performing sub-professional work",
      "proeth:element": "Market Recognition",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Firm receives an invitation to submit a written competitive bid for work consisting solely of sub-professional services",
      "proeth:element": "Bid Invitation Receipt",
      "proeth:step": 3
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Sub-Professional Service Provision",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Had the firm never provided sub-professional services, it would likely not have been identified and invited to bid on work comprised solely of such services",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "facts",
  "proeth:effect": "Bid Invitation Receipt",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Client\u0027s independent decision to solicit written bids",
    "Market demand for sub-professional services"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Firm\u0027s established practice of occasionally providing sub-professional services",
    "Existence of a client with work comprised solely of sub-professional services",
    "Firm\u0027s visibility to the inviting party as a potential provider of such services"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "shared",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Combination of the firm\u0027s known capability in sub-professional work and a client\u0027s need for solely sub-professional services"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: This principle is not applicable to sub-professional or nonprofessional services, and this difference permits competitive bidding for sub-professional or nonprofessional (business or commercial) services, which may be clearly and accurately specified.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Receipt of the invitation to bid
  • Work being comprised solely of sub-professional services
  • Ethical permissibility of competitive bidding for sub-professional services under the Canons
Sufficient Factors:
  • Invitation to bid combined with the determination that the Canons do not prohibit bidding on solely sub-professional work
Counterfactual Test: Without the invitation, there would be no bid decision to make; without the ethical clearance for sub-professional services, submitting the bid would have been prohibited
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Bid Invitation Receipt
    Firm receives invitation for written competitive bid on solely sub-professional work
  2. Ethical Classification
    Determination that the Canons of Ethics apply only to professional engineering practice, not business activities
  3. Bidding Permissibility Finding
    Recognition that the public-protection rationale against competitive bidding does not apply to sub-professional services
  4. Competitive Bid Submission
    Firm decides whether to submit the written competitive bid for the sub-professional work
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Bid Invitation Receipt
  • effect: Competitive Bid Submission
  • responsibleAgent: Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: This principle is not applicable to sub-professional or nonprofessional services, and this difference permits competitive bidding for sub-professional or nonprofessional (business or commercial) services, which may be clearly and accurately specified.
  • necessaryFactors content: Receipt of the invitation to bid; Work being comprised solely of sub-professional services; Ethical permissibility of competitive bidding for sub-professional services under the Canons
  • sufficientFactors content: Invitation to bid combined with the determination that the Canons do not prohibit bidding on solely sub-professional work
  • counterfactual content: Without the invitation, there would be no bid decision to make; without the ethical clearance for sub-professional services, submitting the bid would have been prohibited
  • agentKnowledge content: The principals knew the work was solely sub-professional and that the prohibition against competitive bidding applies only to professional services
  • interveningFactors content: Ethical interpretation that Canons apply only to professional engineering practice; Client's bid-based procurement method
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Bid Invitation Receipt', 'proeth:description': 'Firm receives invitation for written competitive bid on solely sub-professional work'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Ethical Classification', 'proeth:description': 'Determination that the Canons of Ethics apply only to professional engineering practice, not business activities'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Bidding Permissibility Finding', 'proeth:description': 'Recognition that the public-protection rationale against competitive bidding does not apply to sub-professional services'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Competitive Bid Submission', 'proeth:description': 'Firm decides whether to submit the written competitive bid for the sub-professional work'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
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  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#CausalChain_2",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982556+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "The principals knew the work was solely sub-professional and that the prohibition against competitive bidding applies only to professional services",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "This principle is not applicable to sub-professional or nonprofessional services, and this difference permits competitive bidding for sub-professional or nonprofessional (business or commercial) services, which may be clearly and accurately specified.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Firm receives invitation for written competitive bid on solely sub-professional work",
      "proeth:element": "Bid Invitation Receipt",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Determination that the Canons of Ethics apply only to professional engineering practice, not business activities",
      "proeth:element": "Ethical Classification",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Recognition that the public-protection rationale against competitive bidding does not apply to sub-professional services",
      "proeth:element": "Bidding Permissibility Finding",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Firm decides whether to submit the written competitive bid for the sub-professional work",
      "proeth:element": "Competitive Bid Submission",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Bid Invitation Receipt",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "Without the invitation, there would be no bid decision to make; without the ethical clearance for sub-professional services, submitting the bid would have been prohibited",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Competitive Bid Submission",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Ethical interpretation that Canons apply only to professional engineering practice",
    "Client\u0027s bid-based procurement method"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Receipt of the invitation to bid",
    "Work being comprised solely of sub-professional services",
    "Ethical permissibility of competitive bidding for sub-professional services under the Canons"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Invitation to bid combined with the determination that the Canons do not prohibit bidding on solely sub-professional work"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}

Causal Language: Although the Canons do not apply to. sub-professional and nonprofessional (business or commercial) activities, it becomes incumbent upon the engineer involved to be scrupulously careful to make clear to his clients and the public the distinction between the two categories of work.

Necessary Factors (NESS):
  • Firm's engagement in both professional and sub-professional categories of work
  • Risk of client and public confusion between the two categories
  • Canons' concern with protecting the profession from misrepresentation and misunderstanding
Sufficient Factors:
  • Operation in both categories by the same firm combined with the duty to prevent misrepresentation of professional status
Counterfactual Test: If the firm performed only professional engineering services, or operated sub-professional work through a separate organization with a distinct name, the additional segregation measures in contracts and correspondence would not be required
Responsibility Attribution:

Agent: Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)
Type: direct
Within Agent Control: Yes

Causal Sequence:
  1. Competitive Bid Submission
    Firm proceeds with bidding and undertaking solely sub-professional work
  2. Dual-Category Operation
    Same firm operates in both professional and sub-professional categories
  3. Confusion Risk
    Clients and the public may fail to distinguish professional from sub-professional work
  4. Work Category Segregation
    Engineers adopt means to segregate the types of work, including references in the contract or correspondence, or a separate organization with a distinct name
Field classification (triples vs literals)
Relations (structural triples)
  • cause: Competitive Bid Submission
  • effect: Work Category Segregation
  • responsibleAgent: Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)
Literal extractions (kept for synthesis)
  • causalLanguage content: Although the Canons do not apply to. sub-professional and nonprofessional (business or commercial) activities, it becomes incumbent upon the engineer involved to be scrupulously careful to make clear to his clients and the public the distinction between the two categories of work.
  • necessaryFactors content: Firm's engagement in both professional and sub-professional categories of work; Risk of client and public confusion between the two categories; Canons' concern with protecting the profession from misrepresentation and misunderstanding
  • sufficientFactors content: Operation in both categories by the same firm combined with the duty to prevent misrepresentation of professional status
  • counterfactual content: If the firm performed only professional engineering services, or operated sub-professional work through a separate organization with a distinct name, the additional segregation measures in contracts and correspondence would not be required
  • agentKnowledge content: The engineers knew they were operating in both categories and understood the duty under Sections 2 and 19 to protect the profession from misrepresentation and misunderstanding
  • interveningFactors content: Impracticability of forming a separate organization where sub-professional work is not a large part of the firm's activities; Subsequent removal of Code Sections 2 and 19 relied upon in the discussion
  • causalSequence content: {'proeth:step': 1, 'proeth:element': 'Competitive Bid Submission', 'proeth:description': 'Firm proceeds with bidding and undertaking solely sub-professional work'}; {'proeth:step': 2, 'proeth:element': 'Dual-Category Operation', 'proeth:description': 'Same firm operates in both professional and sub-professional categories'}; {'proeth:step': 3, 'proeth:element': 'Confusion Risk', 'proeth:description': 'Clients and the public may fail to distinguish professional from sub-professional work'}; {'proeth:step': 4, 'proeth:element': 'Work Category Segregation', 'proeth:description': 'Engineers adopt means to segregate the types of work, including references in the contract or correspondence, or a separate organization with a distinct name'}
  • responsibilityType assessment: direct
  • withinAgentControl assessment: True
RDF JSON-LD 
{
  "@context": {
    "proeth": "http://proethica.org/ontology/intermediate#",
    "proeth-case": "http://proethica.org/ontology/case/90#",
    "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/90#CausalChain_3",
  "@type": "proeth:CausalChain",
  "generatedAtTime": "2026-07-11T23:14:24.982595+00:00",
  "proeth:agentKnowledge": "The engineers knew they were operating in both categories and understood the duty under Sections 2 and 19 to protect the profession from misrepresentation and misunderstanding",
  "proeth:causalLanguage": "Although the Canons do not apply to. sub-professional and nonprofessional (business or commercial) activities, it becomes incumbent upon the engineer involved to be scrupulously careful to make clear to his clients and the public the distinction between the two categories of work.",
  "proeth:causalSequence": [
    {
      "proeth:description": "Firm proceeds with bidding and undertaking solely sub-professional work",
      "proeth:element": "Competitive Bid Submission",
      "proeth:step": 1
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Same firm operates in both professional and sub-professional categories",
      "proeth:element": "Dual-Category Operation",
      "proeth:step": 2
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Clients and the public may fail to distinguish professional from sub-professional work",
      "proeth:element": "Confusion Risk",
      "proeth:step": 3
    },
    {
      "proeth:description": "Engineers adopt means to segregate the types of work, including references in the contract or correspondence, or a separate organization with a distinct name",
      "proeth:element": "Work Category Segregation",
      "proeth:step": 4
    }
  ],
  "proeth:cause": "Competitive Bid Submission",
  "proeth:counterfactual": "If the firm performed only professional engineering services, or operated sub-professional work through a separate organization with a distinct name, the additional segregation measures in contracts and correspondence would not be required",
  "proeth:discoveredInSection": "discussion",
  "proeth:effect": "Work Category Segregation",
  "proeth:interveningFactors": [
    "Impracticability of forming a separate organization where sub-professional work is not a large part of the firm\u0027s activities",
    "Subsequent removal of Code Sections 2 and 19 relied upon in the discussion"
  ],
  "proeth:necessaryFactors": [
    "Firm\u0027s engagement in both professional and sub-professional categories of work",
    "Risk of client and public confusion between the two categories",
    "Canons\u0027 concern with protecting the profession from misrepresentation and misunderstanding"
  ],
  "proeth:responsibilityType": "direct",
  "proeth:responsibleAgent": "Engineering firm principals (professional engineers)",
  "proeth:sufficientFactors": [
    "Operation in both categories by the same firm combined with the duty to prevent misrepresentation of professional status"
  ],
  "proeth:withinAgentControl": true
}
Allen Temporal Relations (6)
Interval algebra relationships with OWL-Time standard properties
From Entity Allen Relation To Entity OWL-Time Property Evidence
firm's occasional provision of sub-professional services before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		invitation to submit a written bid time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		provides services on occasion of a type and nature regarded as sub-professional in character ... The... [more]
invitation to submit a written bid before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		ethical analysis/discussion of whether bidding is permissible time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		The firm is invited to submit a written bid ... It is clear that the Canons of Ethics and Rules of P... [more]
sub-professional and nonprofessional work during
Entity1 occurs entirely within the duration of Entity2 		contracts for professional engineering services time:intervalDuring
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalDuring 		Virtually all contracts for professional engineering services require some sub-professional and nonp... [more]
case decision citing Canons 2 and 19 before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		removal of Code Sections 2 and 19 time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		Note: The following Code sections no longer exist: Canons of Ethics, Section 2... Section 19
firm's sub-professional services activity overlaps
Entity1 starts before Entity2 and ends during Entity2 		firm's professional engineering practice time:intervalOverlaps
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalOverlaps 		in the case of an operation in both categories by the same firm, the engineer should adopt other mea... [more]
clear distinction/segregation of work categories (in contract or correspondence) before
Entity1 is before Entity2 		permissible competitive bidding for sub-professional services time:intervalBefore
http://www.w3.org/2006/time#intervalBefore 		it becomes incumbent upon the engineer involved to be scrupulously careful to make clear to his clie... [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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