ABSTRACT
The concept of ethics in connection with competitive bidding and contracting may seem like a contradiction in terms. In ethics has generally been viewed as being concerned almost exclusively with fundamental principles relating to obligations to protect the public health and safety, high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, fairness, and equity. Professional codes of ethics have been developed over an extended period of time. These codes reflect basic professional aspirations, principles, values, and obligations that are expected to be reflected in an individual's professional practice. Engineering societies such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and other professional and technical organizations have developed codes of ethics along with other standards and guides to assist their members in addressing technical and professional practice issues.
