You are head of internal audit in a public sector organization which is about to put out for tender the contract for the internal audit service. It will be an open tender process, for both external and internal providers.

The newest member of your team was recruited from the department responsible for devising the tender process. He is now a support administrator in your department. Although he took no part in establishing the tender process, a former colleague (and personal friend) of his was heavily involved in drawing up the tender specification document and will be involved in the evaluation process.

The support administrator has had sight of some of the evaluation criteria, and has offered to share with your information that may be of use when preparing the tender. However, this information is confidential and should not be seen by any of the tendering parties. Bids from external providers are being encouraged, and the evaluation process has been designed with this in mind.

If the contract is awarded externally, you will be unsure of your future position in the organization. You understand that the use of any insider knowledge of the tendering process would be inappropriate when preparing the tender proposal, but you would have a better chance of success if you used the confidential information.

 

Required:

What are dilemma issues that may cause unethical issues? Explain and refer to Code of Ethics of Internal Control.