By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other procuring entities to observe a mandatory 14-calendar-day standstill period before finalising public procurement contracts, in a move aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the award process.
The directive requires procuring entities to notify all participating bidders of an intended contract award simultaneously and allow unsuccessful bidders time to seek clarification, request debriefing or lodge complaints before a contract is concluded.
According to a statement issued by Ngozi C. Anyaelezu, Acting Head of Public Relations at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) on Thursday, the decision is contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, dated August 6, 2026, with reference number SGF.50/S.52/III/727.
Following the development, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale A. Adedokun, urged accounting officers across government institutions to ensure strict compliance with the directive by Tenders Boards, Procurement Planning Committees and procurement departments.
According to the BPP, the standstill period is designed to give unsuccessful bidders an opportunity to challenge or seek clarification on procurement decisions before contracts are concluded.
“Under the directive, once a contract award recommendation is approved by the appropriate authority, a Notice of Intended Award must be issued simultaneously to all participating bidders.
“No contract agreement is to be carried out, and no Letter of Award is to become effective, until the 14-day standstill period expires,” the statement said.
It further stated that the notice must identify the successful bidder and state the contract sum, adding that it must also inform unsuccessful bidders of their right to request debriefing or submit complaints in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
The circular further directs procuring entities to address complaints or protests received during the standstill period in line with the administrative review procedures stipulated in the Public Procurement Act and relevant BPP guidelines.
Where a complaint is lodged within the period, further steps towards contract execution must be suspended, where applicable, pending the resolution of the matter.
According to the statement, to ensure accountability, procurement officers are also required to maintain adequate records of notices issued, complaints received and actions taken throughout the process as evidence of compliance.
Adedokun warned that procuring entities that fail to observe the mandatory standstill period could face administrative sanctions under the Public Procurement Act and other applicable regulations.
The accounting officers have consequently been directed to circulate the directive to all relevant procurement committees, Tenders Boards, departments and officers involved in public procurement.
The BPP said the requirement applies to both ongoing and future procurement activities and takes immediate effect.
The circular is to be implemented alongside the Public Procurement Act, 2007, existing procurement regulations and other directives issued by the bureau.
