Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
(OP)
I helped company A design a piece of equipment for their plant. Company A requests bid for fabrication of this equipment from company B, whom I also provide services for, one of which being pricing the fabrication of equipment. Company B sees that I was involved in the design of this equipment and they seek to hire me to help them price the equipment. Would you consider it unethical for me to take on this work from Company B? Can you see any "Conflict of Interest" issues or any other ethical or legal issues?
(Insert witty signature line here)





RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
William
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
While working for company A you potentially had access to or involvement in "how much are we willing to spend on this thing" information. That type of information could provide company B with an unfair advantage in the bidding process.
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
William
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
I think this could be potentially a dangerous situation. As weh3 suggests, everything must be above board, and even then, you could get into trouble.
You already have separate financial arrangements with both companies, and now, you're being asked to be involved in an arrangement which controls finances between the two companies.
Will your objective be to price this so that Company A gets the equipment at a reasonable cost?, or that Company B gets a reasonable profit for the equipment? No matter how you answer, you will be both right and wrong.
Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
I agree with Arunmrao - it would be advisable that you inform your contact person at company B that you would like to pass on the bidding process due to your contract with company A. If company B is ethical in their business practices then they will understand.
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
Thanks again!
(Insert witty signature line here)
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
William
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
I'm not really sure how it would play out if there were competing technologies that were being let for bid. I think I'd carefully avoid being on both sides of a bid process.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
The harder I work, the luckier I seem
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
It is a tricky situation indeed and no matter how scrupulous you are, perception is everything.
dbuzz
RE: Contracted by Two Clients for Same Project
John