Order in the standard procedure
Example for a national contract. The buyer provides the exact dates in the announcement and the contract documents.
Tender deadlines: from questions to tender validity
The bid submission deadline determines other important dates: by when you must ask a question to the SWZ, by when the buyer will respond, and how long your bid is binding. We have compiled the rules from the PZP and show where you can see these deadlines in openSales.
Four deadlines in sequence
All four depend on the bid submission deadline. The rules differ in the standard procedure and in the open tender from EU thresholds.
Deadline for questions regarding the SWZ
The buyer must answer a question received by this deadline.
- Basic procedure: no later than 4 days before the bid submission deadline (Art. 284(2) PZP).
- At or above EU thresholds: 14 days before, or 7 days where the deadline has been shortened due to urgency (Art. 135(2) PZP).
The buyer is not required to answer questions received later (Art. 135(5), Art. 284(4)).
In openSales: you will check the deadline for asking questions regarding the SWZ. Before submitting a question, compare it with the procurement documentation.
Deadline for buyer's response
The buyer responds immediately, and no later than:
- in the basic procedure 2 days before the offer submission deadline (Art. 284 sec. 2 of the PZP),
- from EU thresholds 6 days before, and 4 days for a shortened deadline (Art. 135 sec. 2 of the PZP).
If they cannot make it, they extend the offer submission deadline (Art. 135 sec. 3, Art. 284 sec. 3). Questions and answers are published on the procedure's website, without the name of the person asking (Art. 135 sec. 6, Art. 284 sec. 6).
In openSales: you will check the deadline for the buyer's response to questions. Also look for answers in the procedure's attachments.
Tender submission deadline
You submit the offer by this date and time. The buyer specifies it in the announcement, but cannot set a deadline shorter than:
- in the basic procedure 7 days from the announcement in the BZP for supplies and services, 14 days for construction works (Art. 283 of the PZP),
- from EU thresholds 35 days from the announcement to the EU Publication Office, 30 days when submitting offers entirely electronically, and 15 days in special cases (Art. 138 of the PZP).
In openSales: the counter on the procedure card, in the 'Deadlines' section, and the list starting from the nearest deadline, also without logging in.
Tender validity period
You remain bound by your bid until this date. The buyer specifies the date in the procurement documents. The first day is the day on which the bid submission deadline falls.
- Basic procedure: a maximum of 30 days (Art. 307(1) PZP).
- At or above EU thresholds: a maximum of 90 days, or 120 days for works worth at least EUR 20 million and supplies or services worth at least EUR 10 million (Art. 220(1) PZP).
The buyer may ask once for your agreement to an extension. You must give that agreement in writing (Art. 220(3) and (4), Art. 307(2) and (3)).
In openSales: the documentation analysis provides the tender validity deadline with the SWZ, with a link to the source.
How to track deadlines in openSales
Counter on card
The counter on the card counts down to the offer submission deadline.
List from nearest deadline
The list without logging in is sorted from the nearest offer submission deadline. The 'Submission Deadline from-to' filter narrows it down to selected days.
Observed and calendar
Observed procedures are sorted from the nearest deadline, and the color in the calendar shows how much time is left.
Questions about deadlines
Still have a question? Contact us
Will openSales remind me of the deadline?
No. openSales does not send reminders. You can see the deadline on the procedure card, in the Observed list, and in the calendar.
Which deadline is binding: in openSales or in the announcement?
The one from the announcement and the SWZ. openSales shows data from the announcement, so check the source via the announcement link on the card before submitting an offer.
When does the buyer extend the deadline for submitting bids?
Among other things, when they fail to answer questions submitted on time, or when changing the tender specifications (SWZ) requires more time for the bid (Art. 135 sec. 3, Art. 137 sec. 6, Art. 284 sec. 3, Art. 286 sec. 3 of the PZP). In the basic procedure, information about the new deadline is published on the procedure's website (Art. 286 sec. 5).
Does extending the bid submission deadline shift the deadline for questions?
No. Extending the bid submission deadline does not affect the deadline for submitting a request for clarification of the SWZ (Art. 135 sec. 4, Art. 284 sec. 5 of the PZP).
How to calculate the tender validity period?
The first day is the day the bid submission deadline expires. You can calculate the last day in the tender validity period calculator.
Related features
Calendar
Observed tenders in the week and month.
Follow procedures
Your list of tenders from the nearest deadline.
Documentation analysis
Requirements from the SWZ with a link to the source.
Find a tender for your company. Decide whether to bid.
Check how much time is left
Open the list of active procedures, sorted by the nearest deadline.