What is a Bid Validity Period?
The bid validity period (German: Bindefrist) is the timeframe during which a bidder is bound by their submitted bid and may neither withdraw nor modify it. The contracting authority may award the contract within this period.
Legal Framework
- § 148 BGB: Determination of acceptance period
- § 10 VOB/A: Bid and validity periods for construction
- § 20 VgV: Appropriate deadlines in procurement procedures
Appropriate Periods
| Procedure Type | Typical Period |
|---|---|
| Open procedure | 30-60 calendar days |
| Restricted procedure | 30-60 calendar days |
| Construction (VOB) | 30 working days |
| EU construction | 60 calendar days |
Extension
Extension requires the bidder's consent. The bidder may agree or decline. If declining, the bid exits the procedure.
Legal Consequences
Award within validity period: Contract is concluded. Award after expiry: Counts as a new offer; bidder may accept or decline. Withdrawal during validity: Generally inadmissible with potential damages liability.
Patterno hilft
Patterno automatically extracts the bid validity period from tender documents and displays it in the tender overview. All deadlines at a glance for better capacity planning.