An addendum is normally issued when?

An addendum is normally issued when?

• A. During construction
• B. Prior to the receipt of bids
• C. After bids are opened
• D. After award

Answer: (B)

Addenda are issued to modify, clarify, or add information to bidding documents. They must be released before bids are submitted so every bidder has the same information and can bid on an accurate, up-to-date package. If changes were made after bids are opened, it would be unfair to some bidders and could require extending the bid deadline or re-bidding, which defeats the purpose of providing a consistent set of documents. During construction or after award, changes are handled differently (such as change orders or field directives), not through addenda to the bidding documents. So the normal time for issuing an addendum is before bids are received.

Addenda are issued to modify, clarify, or add information to bidding documents. They must be released before bids are submitted so every bidder has the same information and can bid on an accurate, up-to-date package. If changes were made after bids are opened, it would be unfair to some bidders and could require extending the bid deadline or re-bidding, which defeats the purpose of providing a consistent set of documents. During construction or after award, changes are handled differently (such as change orders or field directives), not through addenda to the bidding documents. So the normal time for issuing an addendum is before bids are received.