Standstill Period

A mandatory 10-calendar day period following contract award notification during which unsuccessful bidders can challenge the procurement decision before the contract is signed.

How it works

The Standstill Period is a statutory cooling-off period that begins when contracting authorities notify all bidders of their award decision. During these 10 calendar days, the authority cannot sign the contract or allow the successful bidder to begin work.

Unsuccessful bidders receive a detailed debrief explaining why their bid was unsuccessful, including their scores and the winning bidder's advantages. This transparency allows suppliers to assess whether they have grounds for legal challenge.

The period runs from the day after the award notice is sent (day 0) until midnight on day 10. If day 10 falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the period extends to the next working day.

Why it matters

The Standstill Period serves three critical purposes. First, it provides legal protection for suppliers who believe the procurement process was flawed or unfair, giving them time to seek legal advice and potentially challenge the decision in court.

Second, it protects contracting authorities by ensuring any legal challenges occur before contract signature rather than after work has commenced. This prevents costly contract cancellations and project delays.

Third, it promotes transparency and accountability in public procurement by requiring authorities to provide clear, defensible reasons for their award decisions.

Failure to observe the Standstill Period can result in automatic contract ineffectiveness under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, regardless of whether the procurement was conducted properly. This makes compliance absolutely essential for all covered procurements above the relevant thresholds.