I don't want to get too lost in this. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble getting a straight and complete answer.
You must have known something, because you made the comment that “they were burned three years ago”, and you said: “The client is watching us closely. Failure is not an option; our image and reputation are at stake.” All I want, sir, is a confirmation that you were worried as much about your image in this process, because of a previous problem, as you were about actually doing the job at hand; that's all. Or does it mean something else? It's not standard office talk, that's all.