Define the offer boundary
Synthetic rule: offer W-E reserves one place from 14:00 until 14:20, excluding 14:20 itself. It holds no package session until accepted. Acceptance received before expiry may confirm after eligibility checks; at or after expiry the invitation is expired and the place is released.
| Offer / response | Received | Place state | Session effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-E1 accepted | 14:19:59 | Confirm if eligible | Hold 1 on confirmation |
| W-E2 accepted | 14:20:00 | Expired; release | No hold |
| W-E3 no response | Expiry check at 14:20 | Expired; release | No hold |
Close the invitation before issuing another
- Read the offer ID, held place and exact expiry.
- Evaluate response receipt against the boundary and current eligibility.
- Record accepted or expired, then release an expired hold before the next offer.
If a timely response has an unresolved eligibility review, do not silently extend the offer; route to the explicitly agreed review rule.
Can a response received exactly at 14:20 confirm W-E2?
Show the worked answer
No. Equality is excluded. There is no package deduction to reverse because none was held before acceptance.
Keep invitation state separate from waiting-list state: an expired offer may leave the person waiting under a separate re-entry rule.