FG Imposes 14-Day Waiting Period on Public Contracts to Strengthen Procurement Transparency

The Federal Government has introduced a mandatory 14-calendar-day waiting period before the signing or finalisation of public procurement contracts, in a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and fairness in the award of government contracts.

The directive requires all federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to observe the waiting period after notifying participating bidders of an intended contract award, before signing the contract agreement or allowing the Letter of Award to become effective.

According to a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the directive takes immediate effect and applies to ongoing and future procurement activities across the federal government.

The measure is designed to give unsuccessful bidders an opportunity to seek clarification or formally challenge procurement decisions before contracts are concluded, potentially reducing disputes and strengthening oversight of public expenditure.

Mandatory Standstill Period for Government Contracts

Under the new arrangement, procuring entities must notify participating bidders of their intention to award a contract and then observe the prescribed 14-day period before proceeding with the contract formalisation process.

During this period, unsuccessful bidders may raise concerns if they believe the procurement process involved procedural irregularities, unfair treatment or departures from applicable procurement requirements.

For example, where an MDA intends to award a road construction contract to a selected company, it must notify the participating bidders of the intended award and allow the 14-calendar-day period to elapse before finalising the agreement.

The waiting period provides an opportunity for aggrieved bidders to question the decision before the contract becomes effective, rather than having to pursue remedies after the agreement has been concluded.

Where a complaint is submitted within the prescribed period, further steps towards executing the contract must be suspended where required under the applicable procurement procedures, pending resolution of the complaint.

Compliance Implications for MDAs and Contractors

The directive places additional emphasis on procurement planning, documentation and adherence to statutory procedures across federal government institutions.

MDAs will need to ensure that notifications of intended awards are properly issued, relevant dates are recorded and the waiting period is observed before contracts are signed or become effective. Procurement officers must also ensure that complaints received during the period are documented, assessed and handled in accordance with the applicable rules.

For contractors and prospective bidders, the new process provides a defined window within which concerns about procurement decisions can be raised. Companies participating in public tenders may therefore need to strengthen their internal bid-review procedures to identify potential irregularities and submit complaints within the prescribed timeframe.

Compliance teams should also review procurement policies, approval workflows and contract-management procedures to ensure that no agreement is prematurely finalised in breach of the directive.

Strengthening Accountability in Public Procurement

Public procurement involves substantial public resources and carries risks relating to conflicts of interest, inadequate competition, procedural violations and the misuse of public funds.

A mandatory waiting period can provide an additional procedural safeguard by allowing concerns to be raised before contractual commitments are concluded. It may also encourage procuring entities to maintain clearer records of evaluation decisions and demonstrate that awards were made in accordance with established requirements.

However, the effectiveness of the measure will depend on consistent implementation, timely handling of complaints and compliance by both procuring entities and participating bidders.

The directive does not remove the need to comply with existing procurement laws, evaluation criteria or other approval requirements. Rather, it adds a defined period between notification of an intended award and contract finalisation.

Implications for Public-Sector Governance

For public-sector compliance professionals, the development underscores the importance of embedding procurement controls throughout the contract-award process.

Institutions will need to coordinate procurement, legal, finance and contract-management functions to ensure that the waiting period is properly observed and that any complaint is addressed before the process proceeds, where applicable.

Failure to follow prescribed procurement procedures can expose public institutions to disputes, regulatory scrutiny, delays and potential challenges to the validity of procurement decisions.

Contractors, meanwhile, will need to understand the new timeline and ensure that any concerns are raised promptly through the appropriate channels.

The Federal Government’s directive represents a further procedural measure aimed at strengthening safeguards around public contract awards. Its practical impact will depend on how consistently MDAs apply the 14-day waiting period and how effectively procurement-related complaints are resolved before contracts are finalised.