Letter of award
A letter of award, also known as an award letter, is sent by a client/employer as written confirmation that a tenderer has been successful and will be awarded a contract.
The letter forms part of the contract award, which is the process of formally notifying a tenderer that they have been selected as the supplier for a particular contract. It will usually be sent out together with letters to unsuccessful tenderers.
The letter will typically contain details of the amount of the award, the date of the award, and when the contract will be signed. A notice to proceed may also be included detailing the date on which a contractor may begin work.
On public projects, the despatch of a letter of award signifies the start of the Alcatel (standstill) period in the procurement process. This allows unsuccessful tenderers the chance to obtain more information on the award of the contract so they can take appropriate action if they believe they have been unfairly treated.
As such it may be necessary for a letter of award to avoid committing to accepting the tender, since this can be taken to be binding. Rather, the aim of the letter is to give the successful bidder reassurance, and to allow them to begin preparations, whilst refraining from any commitment to legally binding obligations.
As a result, a letter of award may be referred as a 'letter of intent to award' or it may include caveats.
NB A letter of intent is a document expressing an intention to enter into a contract at a future date but creating no contractual relationship until that future contract has been entered into. This may be necessary when suppliers are incurring costs and overheads and can be used as an interim arrangement prior to a formal contract being executed. For more information see: Letter of intent.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.