contract award

Contract award is the decision identifying which supplier wins a public tender. Under EU Directive 2014/24/EU, the contracting authority must take the award decision after evaluating the bids against predefined award criteria, and before any contract can be signed. The award phase is strictly regulated to ensure that the winner is chosen on an objective and verifiable basis.

See current contract awards on Cobrief.

How does the award process work?

The award itself is the result of a structured process:

1. Tender evaluation: The contracting authority assesses all received bids against the requirements specification and the award criteria.
2. Ranking via the evaluation model: Bids are scored or priced using a method that was fixed before bid opening.
3. Selection of winner: The supplier offering the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) is awarded the contract.
4. Award decision notice: All participants receive written notification of the decision and the reasons for it.
5. Standstill period: A mandatory waiting period (minimum 10 days under the Remedies Directive 89/665/EEC, as amended) during which concerned tenderers may seek review before the contract is signed.

What is the award based on?

The award must follow what was disclosed in the tender documents. The award criteria and their weighting must be clearly stated before the submission deadline, and the contracting authority cannot change them later. In competitive procedures with negotiation, the authority may request a final bid, known as a BAFO (best and final offer), before the award is made.

Typical award criteria include:

• Price or life-cycle costing
• Quality (technical merit, functionality, delivery time)
• Environmental and climate performance
• After-sales service and support

Consequences of breach

Breaches of the EU public procurement rules at the award stage are among the most common grounds for review before national bodies (e.g. KOFA in Norway, Vergabekammern in Germany, OCCP in Sweden). Remedies can include setting aside the award, declaring the contract ineffective, or damages. Only after the standstill period has expired and any complaints have been handled can the authority proceed to contract conclusion.

For suppliers, award notices are a key source of market intelligence. Tools like Cobrief monitor new awards across the EU and EEA and alert you to relevant opportunities in your tender procedure, so you can analyse what wins contracts and what bids competitors are submitting.