When must amendments be sent to everyone who received invitations and displayed in the bid room?

The correct timing for sending amendments relates directly to the procedural integrity of the bidding process. Amendments must be sent before the time for bid opening because this ensures that all prospective bidders have equal opportunity to review any changes made to the original bid documents.

Distributing amendments before the bid opening maintains fairness and transparency by allowing all parties a chance to adjust their submissions in accordance with the updated information. This proactive step prevents potential disparities among bidders, ensuring that everyone is working with the same set of rules and specifications, which is critical for a competitive and equitable bidding environment.

Sending amendments after the bid opening would negate the opportunity for bidders to incorporate those changes into their proposals, which could lead to unfair advantages or discrepancies in the evaluation of bids. Similarly, only sending amendments if requested or delaying them until later may not uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal access to information that are foundational in competitive bidding processes.