Standstill period

What happens during standstill

A standstill gives unsuccessful suppliers time to review the award information and raise concerns before the contract becomes binding. Under the Procurement Act 2023, publication of the contract award notice starts the mandatory standstill for contracts to which it applies. The minimum is eight working days, unless the authority sets a longer period; the authority must not enter the contract before the stated end date. Certain contracts, including some call-offs, are exceptions to mandatory standstill, although a voluntary period may be used.

The PCR has a different regime and calculation. A PCR authority commonly gave at least ten calendar days when the notice and reasons were sent electronically, with different timing where communication was not electronic. A Scottish procurement may follow separate Scottish rules. Always use the notice and governing legislation rather than importing the Act's eight-working-day rule into an old competition.

What suppliers should do

Read the assessment summary, identify the deadline and ask focused questions promptly. If you believe the authority breached the rules, obtain procurement advice quickly because a claim can affect the authority's ability to sign and the applicable limitation period. Do not assume that a complaint automatically extends the standstill; obtain written confirmation.

For example, if an Act contract award notice is published on a Monday and says the minimum period applies, weekends and UK bank holidays are not working days. The contract cannot be entered on the eighth working day; it can normally be entered on working day nine, subject to any challenge or longer period in the notice.