A Contract Award Notice (CAN) is the formal public announcement confirming the outcome of a procurement procedure. It is issued by the contracting authority after a contract has been awarded and serves to inform stakeholders—including the public—about who won the tender, the contract’s value, duration, and other key details. This transparency tool ensures that the procurement process remains visible and accountable.
In the EU procurement framework, publication of a CAN is mandatory for contracts that surpass EU financial thresholds. These notices are published in the Official Journal of the European Union via the Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) portal. The publication of a CAN often triggers a mandatory standstill period, a timeframe during which the contracting authority cannot sign the contract, allowing unsuccessful bidders to raise any concerns or challenges.
From a practical standpoint, the Contract Award Notice is a critical link between tender evaluation and contract execution. It publicly discloses procurement decisions, supports market monitoring, and reinforces trust in the fairness of public procurement. The CAN not only informs unsuccessful bidders of the outcome but also enables them to verify that the process aligns with established criteria and legal standards.
