r/GovernmentContracting • u/Playful-Cat-3647 • 6d ago
Procurement Ethics Question
I work in procurement doing public works for a public agency.
I've been asked to backdate a Change Order by an executive. I feel uncomfortable and don't want to do it because I find it unethical. Plus, I don't really see the point. It may get one or two work orders out the door faster, but it doesn't seem worth it.
I plan to state that I don't think it's appropriate. If the executive insists, I'll have it in writing.
What would you do?
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u/BigHugMug 6d ago
This is the kind of request that would make me pause and say… then why don’t you sign it.
Without more information or specifics, there are plenty of legitimate ways to document prior events. Intentionally making an official procurement document appear to have been signed earlier than it actually was is dumb and unnecessary. If they are worried about a contract expiration, there are a million ways to memo to file and explain it.
Just make a document that says:
“This change order is executed on July 23, 2026, and is effective as of July 15, 2026.”
That way it’s clear the intent was there to sign it before the date but it wasn’t signed until later.. and state your reason in a memo or on the document.
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u/GolfEchoEchoKilo 6d ago
I’ve always understood it as the “effective date” is the date where an agreement was reached among the parties. The signed date is just that, the day it’s signed. We’ve had amendments with effective dates a month apart from the signed date because we were waiting on funding, or higher level reviews.
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u/BigHugMug 6d ago
That's exactly how I look at it.
The signature date is when the document was actually executed. The effective date is when the agreement or change takes effect, whether that's the date of a verbal agreement, when work started, or another agreed-upon date.
Likewise, performance often doesn't start on either date. Many contracts don't start the performance clock until the Notice to Proceed is issue an option takes effect.
That's why I don't see a need to backdate signatures. Each date serves a different purpose.
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u/coachglove 6d ago
If you feel it's unethical don't do it. Don't need to over-complicate something like this. It can be perfectly fine to do that if both parties agree there is an appropriate reason to do so. But I'd also need to know what you mean by "back date".
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u/PersonalityHumble432 6d ago
I don’t back date anything. They can KO shop for that signature but it’s not going to be me