The verdict in three sentences
A public sector website rebuild procured through a public tender takes 8 to 11 months from drafting the specifications to launch, including 5 to 7 months of delivery. A realistic 2026 budget sits between USD 45,000 and 130,000, plus maintenance of USD 9,000 to 16,500 a year. The two criteria that really separate bidders are their method for reaching WCAG 2.1 AA (75% conformance targeted at launch) and sovereign hosting.
The real timeline of a rebuild tender
Digital leads almost always underestimate the upstream phase. Between gathering departments' needs, elected officials' sign-off and legal review, the tender package alone takes 6 to 8 weeks.
| Stage | Indicative duration | Watch point |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting the tender package (specs, rules, price schedule) | 6 to 8 weeks | Sitemap and volumes quantified |
| Publication on the public tender platform | 1 week | Check the applicable 2026 thresholds |
| Bid submission | 30 days | Bidder questions within 10 days |
| Evaluation and interviews | 4 weeks | Published scoring grid |
| Award and standstill period | 2 weeks | Letters to unsuccessful bidders |
| Delivery (kick-off to launch) | 5 to 7 months | Content migration by departments |
| Acceptance period | 1 to 3 months | Accessibility acceptance audit |
In total, a body that publishes in January launches between September and November. Targeting a launch before a council session or an election means starting the tender package 11 months ahead.
2026 budgets by scope
Price gaps come mainly from the number of templates, content migration and online services (forms, events calendar, interactive map, publications library).
| Scope | Delivery budget | Annual maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Regional information site, 15 templates, open-source CMS | USD 45,000 to 65,000 | USD 9,000 to 11,000 |
| Portal with calendar, facilities directory, map | USD 65,000 to 92,000 | USD 11,000 to 13,000 |
| Portal + satellite sites (tourism, culture) | USD 92,000 to 130,000 | USD 13,000 to 16,500 |
| Initial and acceptance accessibility audit | USD 4,400 to 9,800 | Follow-up audit USD 2,700 to 4,400 |
| Qualified sovereign hosting | USD 3,300 to 8,700 per year | Included or optional |
| Contributor training (20 to 40 staff) | USD 2,200 to 5,500 | Annual refresher sessions |
Accessibility, sovereignty, reversibility: writing the right criteria
Accessibility is a legal obligation for public bodies, with Quebec's government standards referencing WCAG. Demanding 100% conformance at launch is unrealistic; 75% at acceptance with an action plan towards 90% within 18 months is a defensible target. Ask bidders to describe their testing method (screen reader, contrast, keyboard navigation) and the profiles involved.
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For hosting, require data residency in Canada, ideally with a qualified provider, and a reversibility clause with a full content export. A common weighting: technical merit 60%, price 40%, with 15 points on accessibility.
Mini case study
Nathalie, digital lead of a regional body serving 120,000 residents near Montreal, compares two bids. Bid A at USD 63,000 promises accessibility with no detailed method; bid B at USD 78,000 includes a USD 6,500 acceptance audit and targets 78%. A corrective audit after the fact would cost her about USD 8,700 plus USD 16,500 of fixes, or USD 88,200 in total for bid A. Bid B, USD 15,000 more expensive on paper, ends up USD 10,200 cheaper.
FAQ
What is the minimum bid submission period? Rules vary with thresholds, but the period must be reasonable. 30 days is common practice for a USD 45,000 to 130,000 website, so bidders can produce a mock-up and a serious proposal.
Should we ask for a mock-up in the bid? Only if it is compensated, typically USD 1,600 to 3,300 per shortlisted bidder. Otherwise, rely on references and a 45-minute interview.
What accessibility rate should we target at launch? As a 2026 order of magnitude, 75% at acceptance is achievable with an experienced agency, with an action plan towards 90% within 18 months.
Should maintenance be part of the same contract? It is recommended, as an optional tranche or framework agreement, at USD 9,000 to 16,500 a year. It avoids a second tender and a break in accountability.
Can an agency from outside the region bid? Yes, public procurement prohibits geographic preference. Plan remote workshops and 3 to 4 on-site meetings in the specifications.
Let's scope your project. Share your draft tender package or sitemap, and we will help you estimate the delivery and maintenance budget, the procurement timeline and the accessibility roadmap. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
