The Federal Government(FG) has ordered ministries, departments and agencies to give unsuccessful bidders 14 calendar days to challenge proposed public procurement contract awards before finalising them.
The directive applies to ongoing and future procurement activities and took immediate effect. It requires procuring entities to notify all participating bidders once the appropriate authority approves a contract award recommendation.
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) announced the directive in a press release signed by its Acting Head of Public Relations, Ngozi C. Anyaelezu, on Thursday.
The rule is contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on August 6, 2026, with reference number SGF.50/S.52/III/727.
Contract notices must reach every bidder
Under the directive, procuring entities must issue a Notice of Intended Award to all participating bidders simultaneously after approval of a contract award recommendation.
The notice must name the successful bidder and state the contract sum. It must also inform unsuccessful bidders of their right to request a debriefing, seek clarification or submit complaints under the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
A debriefing allows an unsuccessful bidder to request an explanation of the procurement decision.
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The government has prohibited procuring entities from executing contract agreements or allowing Letters of Award to take effect before the 14-day period expires.
The waiting period gives unsuccessful bidders an opportunity to question the proposed award before the contract is concluded.
The Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale A. Adedokun, called on accounting officers to ensure compliance across their organisations.
He specifically identified procurement planning committees, tenders boards and procurement departments as units that must observe the directive.
The circular also requires procuring entities to address complaints and protests received within the waiting period. They must handle such cases under the administrative review procedures in the Public Procurement Act and relevant BPP guidelines.
Where a complaint is received during the 14 days, further steps towards executing the contract must be suspended where applicable, pending resolution of the complaint.
Non-compliance could attract sanctions
The government has directed procurement officers to keep proper records of all notices issued, complaints received and actions taken. These records are intended to demonstrate compliance with the mandatory waiting period.
The BPP warned that procuring entities that fail to comply could face administrative sanctions under the Public Procurement Act and other applicable regulations.
Accounting officers must also ensure that the circular reaches tenders boards, procurement planning committees, procurement departments and all officers involved in public procurement.
The government said the directive supports its commitment to transparency, accountability, fairness and value for money in public procurement.
The circular must be applied alongside the Public Procurement Act, 2007, existing procurement regulations and directives issued by the BPP.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
The 14-day period begins after the appropriate authority approves a contract award recommendation and the notice of intended award is issued to all participating bidders.
During this period, unsuccessful bidders can request clarification, seek a debriefing or lodge a complaint. A complaint may lead to a suspension of further contract execution steps where applicable, pending its resolution.
The directive does not permit a contract agreement to be executed or a Letter of Award to take effect before the waiting period expires. It applies to both ongoing and future procurement activities, with immediate effect.
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