How awkward... but I've been there. Back when I worked for the State of New York.... so another country... I was asked something similar. My response was something along the lines of: "I am afraid that code of conduct prohibits me from suggesting contractors, but you will find a list of government acceptable contractors through SOPA." SOPA was the body that at that time served in a similar vein as the IFA. Good luck Tom ~~~~~~~~ Dr. Thomas L. Evans MA, MPhil, MIFA Research Fellow, Oxford Archaeology ------------------------------ The views and opinions contained within this email are not necessarily those of Oxford Archaeology. ------------------------------ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee White" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:32:17 AM (GMT-0800) America/Los_Angeles Subject: DC-related query: Alternative quotes for final P-EX work Dear All, Apologies for sending this DC related query out, but could you please pass this to your DC/Planning Archaeologist if you don't personally deal with it? I'm in the midst of arguing with a developer over the final stage of some P-Ex work and need some feedback from colleagues nationally. The developer is querying the quotation they've received from the contractor and are asking me (amongst other things!) to "suggest another archaeological company who is prepared to offer a quotation". My immediate gut response is not printable; but I did wish to just check if I'm correct in my assumption that this is highly irregular and not common practice in the profession. Have any of you had a similar experience, if so what was the outcome? Many thanks Lee ____________________________________________ Assistant Archaeology Officer Libraries, Learning and Culture Adult & Community Services Durham County Council The Rivergreen Centre Aykley Heads Durham DH1 5TS 0191-370-8846 (T) 0191-370-8897 (F) e-mail: [log in to unmask] On-line SMR: www.keystothepast.info ** NEW** 2008 issue of "County Durham Archaeology" now available to purchase via: www.durham.gov.uk/onlineshop Help protect our environment by only printing this email if absolutely necessary. The information it contains and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are only intended for the person or organisation to whom it is addressed. It may be unlawful for you to use, share or copy the information, if you are not authorised to do so. If you receive this email by mistake, please inform the person who sent it at the above address and then delete the email from your system. Durham County Council takes reasonable precautions to ensure that its emails are virus free. However, we do not accept responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of viruses we might transmit and recommend that you should use your own virus checking procedures. ------ Files attached to this email may be in ISO 26300 format (OASIS Open Document Format). If you have difficulty opening them, please visit http://iso26300.info for more information.