What should engineer A do upon learning engineer B's bid for a project?

When confronted with knowledge of another engineer's bid for a project, the most ethically sound course of action is for Engineer A to remain in consideration without changing his bid. This upholds the principles of fair competition and integrity in the bidding process.

By not altering the bid in response to Engineer B's submission, Engineer A honors the competitive nature of the bidding procedure. This approach ensures that bids are evaluated based on their individual merit rather than manipulated by knowledge of rivals' offers. It maintains a level playing field where all participants can compete based on their qualifications and the value they bring to the project, thus fostering professionalism and ethical conduct in the engineering field. Moreover, altering a bid just to gain an advantage may raise questions regarding the integrity of the bidding process.

Engineer A's stance can promote trust and respect within the engineering community as it affirms the importance of ethical standards. In this context, staying consistent with one's own bid reflects adherence to those standards and safeguards the reputation of the profession as a whole.