What is an
award decision notice
Also known as: standstill letter, Alcatel letter
An award decision notice is the formal notification a contracting authority sends to all participating tenderers after evaluating the bids and selecting a winner. The notice states who won, explains the reasoning behind the decision, and specifies the length of the standstill period — the mandatory pause before the contract can be signed.
How does an award decision notice work?
Under Article 55 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU, contracting authorities must inform all tenderers of their award decision as soon as possible. The notice must include:
- The name of the winning tenderer
- A summary of reasons for the decision — including which award criteria were decisive
- The standstill period — the minimum waiting time before the contract can be signed
The notice triggers the standstill period, during which no contract conclusion may take place. The standstill period is at least 10 calendar days when sent electronically, or 15 days by other means.
Why is the award decision notice important?
The notification fulfils several key functions:
- Triggers the standstill period: Without a valid notice, the clock does not start, and any contract signed prematurely may be challenged or declared ineffective.
- Enables effective remedies: Unsuccessful tenderers can review the reasoning and decide whether to seek interim measures or file a formal complaint.
- Ensures transparency: The obligation traces back to the Alcatel judgment (C-81/98, 1999), which established that tenderers must have a real chance to challenge decisions before contracts are signed.
Exceptions exist — for example, when awarding under framework agreements or when only one tenderer is involved. Tools like Cobrief help suppliers stay on top of award decisions and deadlines, so the window for challenging a decision is not missed.
The award decision notice is one of the most important procedural safeguards in public procurement. It ensures that contracting authorities explain their choices and gives all participants a fair chance to verify that the process was conducted correctly.