standstill period

A standstill period is a mandatory waiting period between when a contracting authority announces the winner of a tender procedure and when the contract can actually be signed. This period gives other suppliers the opportunity to challenge the decision if they believe errors were made in the process.

How does the standstill period work?

When a public entity has decided which supplier should win a tender, they must first send a notification to all participants in the competition. This notification must include:

• Who won the tender
• Why this supplier was chosen
• How long the standstill period is (minimum 10 days)

For example: A hospital needs new X-ray machines and conducts a tender procedure. After evaluating the submissions, they select supplier A. Before they can sign the contract with supplier A, they must inform all participating suppliers and wait out the standstill period of 10 days.

Why is the standstill period important?

The standstill period is important for several reasons:

• It gives suppliers who did not win the opportunity to challenge the decision if they believe the process was not fair
• It ensures transparency and accountability in public procurement
• It helps prevent corruption and unjustified discrimination

Tools like Cobrief help businesses keep track of important deadlines in the tender process, including the standstill period, so they do not miss the opportunity to challenge a decision if they believe there are grounds for it.

The standstill period is a vital part of public procurement regulations designed to ensure fair competition and give suppliers the opportunity to protect their rights before a contract is finalised.