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Answer · Rejection and complaints

What happens if my BOQ has an arithmetic error?

The buyer normally corrects the error and evaluates the corrected price. In World Bank works tenders, the unit price usually beats a wrong line total, and subtotals beat a wrong total. If you refuse the correction, your bid is rejected. Other tenders can be stricter.

This page uses the World Bank's two-envelope works document (September 2025 edition, ITB 35). Your tender's own documents always decide.

Create your workspace Reviewed 04/11/26

Which figure wins?

The document gives three rules for correcting a price.

The problemWhich figure wins
Unit price × quantity does not match the line totalThe unit price wins, unless the decimal point in the unit price is obviously misplaced. Then the total wins.
A total does not match its subtotalsThe subtotals win.
Words and figures disagreeThe words win, unless the words relate to an arithmetic error. Then the figures win, subject to the rules above.

What does a correction look like?

Say you price 40 cubic metres of concrete at 180, and you write the line total as 7,000. The correct amount is 7,200. The buyer corrects the line, and your bid price rises by 200. These figures are invented to show the arithmetic.

A correction can change your rank, because the corrected price is the one compared.

Can a correction hurt you?

Yes, and a wrong rate does the most harm. Say you meant 180 but typed 18, and your total agrees with 18. There may be nothing for the buyer to correct.

You cannot change the bid yourself after the deadline (ITB 24). A very low price may also be questioned. See abnormally low bids.

Are all tenders this forgiving?

No. Read the tender's own clause, because published clauses differ.

  • Some clauses treat a miscalculated quantity, subtotal or total as a major deviation, and the bid fails.
  • Some clauses say a bidder who refuses the correction may also forfeit the bid security.
  • The World Bank document lists rejection for refusal. Its grounds for forfeiting the security do not list refusal (ITB 19).

How do you avoid an error?

Do these checks after your last price change, and again after any addendum.

  1. 1Price the buyer's own file, and leave its items and quantities as issued.
  2. 2Let formulas calculate each line, then spot-check a sample by hand.
  3. 3Check that each section total carries to the summary.
  4. 4Check that the price in the Letter of Bid matches the summary, in words and in figures.
  5. 5Ask a second person to check the totals.

How can Bidligence help?

When the buyer issues an Excel workbook, Bidligence writes your rates into that file. Amounts go in as formulas (quantity × rate), and the employer's contingency and total formulas stand as issued. That removes one kind of typing error. A wrong rate is still possible, so every rate stays editable and yours to check.

Questions

Can I send a corrected BOQ after the deadline?
No. In this document, no bid may be modified between the deadline and the end of bid validity (ITB 24). The buyer makes the correction.
Can the buyer ignore my mistake?
In this document, the employer must correct arithmetic errors when it evaluates the Financial Part. It then asks you to accept the correction.
What should I do when the buyer sends a correction?
Check the figures, and reply by the date given. If you accept, the corrected price stands. If you refuse, the bid is rejected.

Sources

Rules and portals change. Check the tender’s own documents and the official source before you rely on any of this.

Keep reading

Answer · Rejection and complaintsNon-responsive bidsA non-responsive bid fails a tender requirement in a way that matters, so the buyer rejects it. See what causes it, what can be fixed, and how to avoid it.Answer · Tender terms explainedBill of quantitiesA bill of quantities lists a tender's work items, units and estimated quantities. You enter the rates, and the priced bill becomes the basis for payment.Answer · Choosing tender softwareIs Excel enough?Excel can price a small tender with a clear BOQ if you check every formula. It does not track forms, addenda or evidence. See when to add another tool.Guide · EstimatingPricing a BOQBuild unit rates from labour, plant and materials, price the preliminaries, enter provisional sums as printed, add overheads and profit, then check the BOQ.

Price a live tender in the buyer's own file

Create a free workspace and analyse a live tender with your welcome credits. Then see how its BOQ pricing works.

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