Made a mistake in your federal bid? When you can correct or withdraw it
A dropped line item or a decimal error on a sealed bid can turn a winning number into a losing contract. FAR 14.407 sets out what can be fixed and the proof required.
- Correction is only for bids that are already responsive; it can't be used to make a bid responsive.
- Correction needs clear and convincing evidence of both the mistake and the bid actually intended.
- If correction would displace a lower bid, the mistake and intended bid must be ascertainable substantially from the invitation and the bid itself.
- Mistakes found after award follow the disputes procedures in FAR subpart 33.2.
Mistakes found after opening, before award
FAR 14.407-3, other mistakes disclosed before award lets agencies decide mistakes alleged after bid opening and before award. "The authority to permit correction of bids is limited to bids that, as submitted, are responsive." If you request correction and "clear and convincing evidence establishes both the existence of the mistake and the bid actually intended," the agency head may allow it. If correcting would put you ahead of lower bidders, the mistake and the intended bid must be "ascertainable substantially from the invitation and the bid itself."
Asking to withdraw instead
You might prefer to walk away. But if the evidence is clear and convincing on both the mistake and the intended bid, and your bid is lowest both as submitted and as corrected, the agency may correct the bid and not permit withdrawal. If the evidence only shows a mistake, or reasonably supports one without being clear and convincing, an official above the contracting officer may permit you to withdraw the bid.
Mistakes found after award
Under FAR 14.407-4, mistakes after award, a mistake raised after award is processed under subpart 33.2. It may be corrected by modification if that is favorable to the government without changing essential requirements. Agencies may also rescind or reform the contract in some cases.
Prevent it in the first place
- Keep your worksheets, quotes and takeoffs. They're your evidence.
- Run a second-person check on extensions, totals and units.
- Compare against the government estimate and other bids at opening, and speak up fast.
- See bid bonds and performance and payment bonds for what's at stake if you refuse an award.
General information for estimators, not legal advice. Check the current regulation and your solicitation, or ask a government contracts attorney.
Published October 30, 2026. We do not use affiliate links on this page; see our Affiliate Disclosure.