Winston IntelligenceClarification questions guide
Use the clarification window, and use it early.
A clarification question is how you resolve genuine ambiguity in a tender before you respond. The buyer normally shares the answer with every supplier, so a good question helps the whole field and a careless one can give your approach away.
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Video guide
Watch: Tender clarification questions
Use the clarification window well: ask early and specifically, expect the buyer to share questions and document changes with every supplier, and keep to the official portal.
4 min 3 sec · English (UK) captions included
How the process works
Four things the documents tell you.
The clarification rules are set in the tender documents and framed by the Procurement Act 2023 objective of sharing information.
- 1
A defined window
The tender documents set a clarification period and a deadline for questions, usually earlier than the submission deadline. Read those dates on day one, not the day before.
- 2
Questions go through the portal
Submit clarifications through the named procurement portal, in the format the instructions require. An email to a contact is not a substitute and may not be logged.
- 3
Answers are shared with everyone
The Procurement Act 2023 requires buyers to treat suppliers the same unless a difference between them justifies different treatment, so suppliers should have parity of information. A buyer that answers a question, or changes a document in response, normally publishes that to all participating suppliers, usually anonymised.
- 4
Document changes may move the deadline
If a clarification leads to a material change to the tender documents, the buyer may extend the submission deadline. Do not assume it will; plan for the published date.
Asking well
Five habits for useful questions.
A clarification that is precise, early and commercially careful is worth several vague ones.
- 1
Be specific and reference the document
Quote the section, page or clause. A vague question gets a vague answer that helps no one.
- 2
Ask early
Late questions may fall outside the window, and a useful answer often depends on the buyer having time to consult and republish.
- 3
Separate ambiguity from a potential defect
Use clarification to resolve unclear requirements. If a condition appears disproportionate or unlawful, raise it promptly through the route the buyer specifies and take independent advice where needed; a clarification question alone does not preserve legal remedies.
- 4
Protect your commercial approach
Because answers are shared, do not reveal your solution, pricing strategy or a unique idea in the question itself.
- 5
Keep a record
Log every question and published answer. The answers form part of the tender documents you must respond to.
What this guide does and does not do
General process, not your submission.
The clarification window is a public process. Preparing and interpreting your response is not covered here.
| Area | In this guide | Not in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| The clarification process | This guide explains how the window works and how to use it. | It is general guidance, not legal advice on a specific procurement dispute. |
| Drafting your questions | You can learn what a good clarification looks like. | Winston does not write, review or submit your clarification questions. |
| Interpreting an answer for your bid | Published answers are part of the documents every supplier reads. | Working out what a change means for your response is organisation-specific paid Winston bid-assistance work, which is not available yet. |
Primary sources
Check the rules at source.
Winston checked this legislation and official guidance on 12 October 2026. The Procurement Act 2023 regime has applied since 24 February 2025.
- Cabinet Office: competitive tendering procedures guidance
- Cabinet Office: time periods guidance
- Cabinet Office: assessing competitive tenders guidance
- legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, section 12 (objectives and equal treatment)
- legislation.gov.uk: Procurement Act 2023, Part 3 (award of public contracts)
- Cabinet Office: Procurement Act 2023 short guide for suppliers
Put clarifications in context.
Understand how the response is scored, or check the documents in the pack a question might refer to.