News Article

Don’t let a technicality cost you the tender: 5 must-do things before you submit.

When you lodge a response through Tenders ACT, make sure you do these 5 things:

• Check for addenda
• Submit early
• Check your file names
• Confirm you’ve successfully lodged
• Check your submission receipt

A few simple steps can make the difference between your submission counting or missing out.

1. Check for addenda—log into Tenders ACT before submitting to ensure you have not missed any addenda or clarifications.
2. Submit early—even one second after the advertised closing time is considered late. We recommend submitting your response at least 24 hours prior to closing, but no less than two hours prior, in case you encounter any issues.
3. Check your file names—file names, including files contained within zip folders, must not exceed 80 characters, or contain special characters such as: \ / : ; * ? " < > | ~ ! $ % & ‘ { }
4. Ensure you have fully submitted your response—uploading files or saving progress is not a completed submission. You must complete the final lodgement step and click “Submit Response".
5. Check your submission receipt—confirm all intended documents appear on your receipt and make sure to keep a copy of it.

If you have technical issues:

Review our How to Submit Your Tender page for further guidance.

If you cannot submit through the Tenders ACT portal, do not email your tender response. We cannot accept emailed tenders. For technical help, you can contact us on email TendersACT@act.gov.au or call 02 6207 9000 (option 7). We have limited ability to resolve issues close to the closing time.

Why this matters:

The ACT Government is committed to fair, transparent, and inclusive procurement. Precise closing times and consistent processes are critical to probity, fairness, and legal compliance. Late tenders cannot be accepted for open procurements unless the delay is caused by an act or omission of the Territory entity which is why early submission is the safest approach.