Validity period (Bid validity)

The validity period, or bid validity, is the time frame during which a bidder’s offer remains legally binding after the submission deadline. During this period, the bidder cannot change or withdraw the bid, and the contracting authority may accept it to finalize the contract. For example, if a tender specifies a 90-day validity period, the bid must stay open and unaltered for that duration.

The validity period is typically set in the bidding documents and is designed to allow sufficient time for evaluation, award decisions, and contract formalization. If the authority cannot complete these steps within the required time, they may request, prior to expiry, that bidders extend the validity of their offers. Bidders may accept, decline, or renegotiate terms depending on the rules specified in the tender documents.

In practice, the bid validity period ensures stability and fairness in the procurement process. It allows time for evaluation while preventing bidders from retracting or adjusting their offers. If a contracting authority anticipates a delay beyond the validity period, requesting an extension keeps the process legally sound—any contract awarded after expiry without extension risks being invalid or contested.