Process
How long do government bids take?
Most government solicitations stay open for 15 to 60 days, and the full cycle from posting to contract award typically takes one to six months, depending on the contract's size, complexity, and review requirements. Large or sensitive procurements — major IT systems, defence, infrastructure — can run longer from first notice to signed contract.
Last updated: 2026-06-12
The typical phases
Before the tender you may see market research (RFIs, sources sought) weeks or months ahead — the earliest signal an opportunity is coming. The open bidding window follows posting, with most solicitations allowing two weeks to two months and amendments sometimes extending the deadline.
After closing, evaluation consumes anywhere from days (simple RFQs) to several months (panel-scored RFPs with shortlists, presentations, or negotiations). Award then requires internal approvals — and at municipal level often a council vote — before the contract is executed and work can start.
What stretches the timeline
Dollar value is the biggest driver: higher-value contracts trigger more approval layers, legal review, and in the US a possible protest window after award decisions. Complexity adds evaluation time, and any requirement for security clearances, site visits, or sample testing adds calendar weeks.
Fiscal calendars matter too — agencies rush awards before fiscal year-end (March 31 federally in Canada, September 30 in the US), which compresses some timelines and creates seasonal surges of opportunity.
Planning your pipeline around it
Work backwards from closing dates and assume cash flow starts months after you bid: bid today, hear back in one to three months, mobilize after that. A healthy government pipeline therefore overlaps many bids at different stages rather than betting on one.
Track pre-tender signals (RFIs, sources sought, budget announcements) to stretch your runway, and use closing-soon alerts so prep time, not discovery time, is your constraint.
| Phase | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Pre-tender market research (RFI / sources sought) | 1-6 months before posting |
| Open bidding window | 15-60 days |
| Evaluation and selection | 2 weeks - 3 months |
| Approval, award, and contract signature | 2-8 weeks |
| Posting to award, all-in | 1-6 months (longer for major procurements) |
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I get to prepare a bid?
- Usually the full open window — commonly 15 to 60 days from posting to closing. Complex RFPs tend toward the longer end, simple RFQs the shorter; amendments can extend (rarely shorten) the deadline.
- Why does award take so long after closing?
- Evaluation panels score every compliant bid, results pass through approval chains and sometimes legal review, and US federal awards face a potential protest window. None of those steps are visible to bidders, which is why the silence feels long.
- Can a closing date be extended?
- Yes, by formal amendment — usually when vendor questions expose an ambiguity everyone needs time to absorb. Never plan on an extension; late bids are rejected regardless of why.
- When do governments buy the most?
- Ahead of fiscal year-end: late winter for Canada's March 31 year-end and late summer for the US September 30 year-end, when agencies commit remaining budgets.
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Related answers
This article explains government procurement concepts in general terms and is not legal advice. Rely on the specific solicitation documents for any opportunity you pursue.