The standstill period

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Deborah Ramshaw of Womble Bond Dickinson
Practice notes

The standstill period

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Deborah Ramshaw of Womble Bond Dickinson

Practice notes
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What is the standstill period?

When a contracting authority reaches its decision on the award of a public contract subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), SI 2015/102, it must hold a standstill period. This is a mandatory period where the contracting authority does not enter into the contract with the successful bidder until the expiry of the standstill period.

The standstill period allows unsuccessful tenderers the opportunity to:

  1. •

    seek further information from the contracting authority, and

  2. •

    consider whether their rights have been prejudiced during the procurement process

If so, unsuccessful bidders may apply to have the contract award decision set aside. This remedy is available in addition, or as an alternative, to a claim for damages. Other remedies are available in certain circumstances including a declaration of ineffectiveness being made (where the contract has already been entered into and only on certain limited grounds). See Practice Notes: Public procurement remedies and Damages as a remedy in public procurement claims.

The Crown Commercial Service’s advice in practice has been for contracting

Deborah Ramshaw
Deborah Ramshaw

Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson

Deborah is a nationally renowned procurement law specialist, noted for her commercial and pragmatic advice to clients. She is also WBD's Head of Procurement. 

Deborah advises clients in the public and private sector and uses her knowledge of acting for both sectors to provide practical advice on running processes which are as defensible as possible and advising bidders on how to challenge processes.

Deborah has a particular interest in advising on procuring innovation and complex projects. Deborah has significant experience in establishing and using framework agreements.

Deborah advises clients in a wide range of sectors including central and local government, NHS bodies, education, transport and utilities sectors and third sector organisations.

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition:
Authority definition
What does Authority mean?

The public sector body procuring the project. This might, for example, be a local authority, an NHS trust, a central Government Department or a Non-Departmental Public Body.

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