Bid closing is an important step in the bid solicitation process. The bids submitted prior to closing determine the list of potential compliant bidders eligible for award of a contract. It is important that the bid calling authority has a specified date, time and location for the bid closing and that this is included in the bid documents. The traditional method of bid closing has been for the bid calling authority to receive the bids in a sealed envelope at a specified location, date and time. Electronic bid closings, utilizing online bid depositories, are now becoming common. Whether bids are received physically in sealed envelopes or electronically, the bid closing requirements remain similar with respect to receipt at a specified location, on a specified date and prior to a specified time.

This section describes some important points to be considered when planning for the bid closing as part of the bid procurement process.