A requirement to extend the bid period can occur for various reasons. These can include a request by suppliers or sub-trades for an extension to the bid closing date following the issuance of a large addendum, a conflict with similar bid closing dates of other projects, a design change requiring additional time for issuance of a final addendum, or a delay in the date for an organized site visit due to weather. Whatever the reason, a change to the bid closing date must be issued in an addendum.

Contacting the local construction association and other bidding authorities to ascertain other bid closing dates within the anticipated timeframe in order to determine whether your proposed bid closing date needs to be adjusted. Decision on the bid schedule dates and whether to extend the bid period requires coordination with and agreement of the owner. Such decisions need to consider the impact on project schedule, weather, financing, and a potential delay in the opening of businesses such as a retail mall or office, and a hospital, health clinic or other essential service. Often times the extension of the bid period is in the owners best interest in order to obtain the most reliable and competitive bids from the maximum number of bidders. Some bidders may decline to bid when they are unable to properly prepare their bid due to tight time frames or having multiple bids close in a short period of time.