5. As part of a bid proposal team, you are an engineer developing a fabrication sequence for 11 prefabricated process modules. Part of the sequence requires a heavy lift device. You investigate several devices and conclude that none of the low-cost devices would be feasible. The ones that would work are too expensive to rent. Your conclusion puts the economy of the project at risk.

When you explain this to the business development manager in charge of the bid, she says, “Come on, Man! We’re ‘selling’ here! Leave that lifting step out and give me the freaking fab-sequence.” Is this an ethical issue or just something to be worked out after your company wins the bid? How do you plan to handle this?