diff --git a/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.stories.tsx b/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.stories.tsx
index 14eccada..b964b93c 100644
--- a/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.stories.tsx
+++ b/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.stories.tsx
@@ -66,14 +66,14 @@ export const ContestTileUpcoming: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -85,14 +85,14 @@ export const ContestTileUpcomingRollingTriage: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ export const ContestTileLive: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -123,14 +123,14 @@ export const ContestTileLiveCohort1: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -141,14 +141,14 @@ export const ContestTileLivePreCohort2: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -159,14 +159,14 @@ export const ContestTileLiveAwaitingCohort3: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -178,14 +178,14 @@ export const ContestTileEnded: Story = (args) => {
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
     <ContestTile
       {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate).toISOString()}
-      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate).toISOString()}
+      startDate={new Date(args.contestData.startDate)}
+      endDate={new Date(args.contestData.endDate)}
     />
   </Fragment>
 };
@@ -196,10 +196,10 @@ export const BountyTile: Story = (args) => {
   return <Fragment>
     <ContestTile {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.DARK : ContestTileVariant.LIGHT}
-      startDate={new Date(args.bountyData.startDate).toISOString()} />
+      startDate={new Date(args.bountyData.startDate)} />
     <ContestTile {...args}
       variant={isDark ? ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_DARK : ContestTileVariant.COMPACT_LIGHT }
-      startDate={new Date(args.bountyData.startDate).toISOString()} />
+      startDate={new Date(args.bountyData.startDate)} />
   </Fragment>
 }
 
@@ -216,8 +216,8 @@ ContestTileUpcoming.args = {
   ...defaultArgs,
   contestData: {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
-    startDate: "2030-07-12T18:00:00Z",
-    endDate: "2030-07-21T18:00:00.000Z",
+    startDate: new Date("2030-07-12T18:00:00Z"),
+    endDate: new Date("2030-07-21T18:00:00.000Z"),
     status: AuditStatus.PreAudit,
   }
 };
@@ -227,19 +227,19 @@ ContestTileUpcomingRollingTriage.args = {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
     cohorts: [{
       name: "cohort-1",
-      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 6).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 6),
       resumeTime: null
     }, {
       name: "cohort-2",
-      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 13).toISOString(),
-      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 9).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 13),
+      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 9),
     }, {
       name: "cohort-3",
       pauseTime: null,
-      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 16).toISOString(),
+      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 16),
     }],
-    startDate: addDays(Date.now(), 3).toISOString(),
-    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 20).toISOString(),
+    startDate: addDays(Date.now(), 3),
+    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 20),
     status: AuditStatus.PreAudit,
   }
 };
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ ContestTileLive.args = {
   ...defaultArgs,
   contestData: {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
-    startDate: "2023-07-12T18:00:00Z",
-    endDate: "2030-07-21T18:00:00.000Z",
+    startDate: new Date("2023-07-12T18:00:00Z"),
+    endDate: new Date("2030-07-21T18:00:00.000Z"),
     status: AuditStatus.Active,
   }
 };
@@ -260,19 +260,19 @@ ContestTileLiveCohort1.args = {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
     cohorts: [{
       name: "cohort-1",
-      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 4).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 4),
       resumeTime: null
     }, {
       name: "cohort-2",
-      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 11).toISOString(),
-      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 7).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 11),
+      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 7),
     }, {
       name: "cohort-3",
       pauseTime: null,
-      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 14).toISOString(),
+      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 14),
     }],
-    startDate: subDays(Date.now(), 1).toISOString(),
-    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 18).toISOString(),
+    startDate: subDays(Date.now(), 1),
+    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 18),
     status: AuditStatus.Active,
   }
 };
@@ -282,19 +282,19 @@ ContestTileLivePreCohort2.args = {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
     cohorts: [{
       name: "cohort-1",
-      pauseTime: subDays(Date.now(), 1).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: subDays(Date.now(), 1),
       resumeTime: null
     }, {
       name: "cohort-2",
-      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 6).toISOString(),
-      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 2).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: addDays(Date.now(), 6),
+      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 2),
     }, {
       name: "cohort-3",
       pauseTime: null,
-      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 9).toISOString(),
+      resumeTime: addDays(Date.now(), 9),
     }],
-    startDate: subDays(Date.now(), 6).toISOString(),
-    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 16).toISOString(),
+    startDate: subDays(Date.now(), 6),
+    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 16),
     status: AuditStatus.Paused,
   }
 };
@@ -304,19 +304,19 @@ ContestTileLiveAwaitingCohort3.args = {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
     cohorts: [{
       name: "cohort-1",
-      pauseTime: subDays(Date.now(), 11).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: subDays(Date.now(), 11),
       resumeTime: null
     }, {
       name: "cohort-2",
-      pauseTime: subDays(Date.now(), 4).toISOString(),
-      resumeTime: subDays(Date.now(), 8).toISOString(),
+      pauseTime: subDays(Date.now(), 4),
+      resumeTime: subDays(Date.now(), 8),
     }, {
       name: "cohort-3",
       pauseTime: null,
-      resumeTime: subDays(Date.now(), 1).toISOString(),
+      resumeTime: subDays(Date.now(), 1),
     }],
-    startDate: subDays(Date.now(), 16).toISOString(),
-    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 6).toISOString(),
+    startDate: subDays(Date.now(), 16),
+    endDate: addDays(Date.now(), 6),
     status: AuditStatus.Paused,
   }
 };
@@ -325,8 +325,8 @@ ContestTileEnded.args = {
   ...defaultArgs,
   contestData: {
     ...defaultArgs.contestData,
-    startDate: "2023-07-12T18:00:00Z",
-    endDate: "2023-07-21T18:00:00Z",
+    startDate: new Date("2023-07-12T18:00:00Z"),
+    endDate: new Date("2023-07-21T18:00:00Z"),
     status: AuditStatus.Review,
   }
 };
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ BountyTile.args = {
   htmlId: "",
   bountyData: {
     amount: "$80,000 USDC",
-    startDate: "2023-07-12T18:00:00Z",
+    startDate: new Date("2023-07-12T18:00:00Z"),
     repoUrl: "https://github.com/code-423n4/2023-07-axelar",
     bountyUrl: "https://code4rena.com/audits/2023-07-axelar-network#top",
     ecosystem: "Polkadot" as ContestEcosystem,
diff --git a/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.tsx b/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.tsx
index a5ed2a59..764ef843 100644
--- a/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.tsx
+++ b/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.tsx
@@ -132,14 +132,14 @@ export const ContestCountdown = ({
   updateContestStatus: CountdownProps["updateContestStatus"]
 }) => {
   let text = "Ends in ";
-  let start = schedule.start.toISOString();
-  let end = schedule.end.toISOString();
+  let start = schedule.start;
+  let end = schedule.end;
   if (schedule.contestStatus === Status.UPCOMING) {
     text = "Starts in ";
   } else if (schedule.contestStatus === Status.LIVE) {
     if (schedule.status === AuditStatus.Paused && schedule.resume && +schedule.resume >= Date.now()) {
       text = "Next submission phase starts in ";
-      start = schedule.resume.toISOString();
+      start = schedule.resume;
     } else if (schedule.status === AuditStatus.Paused && schedule.resume && +schedule.resume <= Date.now()) {
       // The resume time has elapsed, give a generic time for now
       return (
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ export const ContestCountdown = ({
       );
     } else if (schedule.status === AuditStatus.Active && schedule.pause && +schedule.pause >= Date.now()) {
       text = "Current submission phase ends in ";
-      end = schedule.pause.toISOString();
+      end = schedule.pause;
     }
   }
   return Countdown({
diff --git a/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types.ts b/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types.ts
index fe130e4d..823815b7 100644
--- a/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types.ts
+++ b/src/lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types.ts
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ export type ContestEcosystem = "Algorand" | "Aptos" | "Blast" | "Cosmos" | "EVM"
 export type CodingLanguage = "Cairo" | "GO" | "HUFF" | "Ink" | "Move" | "Noir" | "Other" | "Rain" | "Rust" | "Rust evm" | "Solidity" | "Vyper" | "Yul";
 
 export interface ContestCohort {
-  resumeTime: string | null;
-  pauseTime: string | null;
+  resumeTime: Date | null;
+  pauseTime: Date | null;
   name: string;
 }
 
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ export interface ContestTileProps {
 export interface BountyTileData {
   /** Max reward amount for the current bounty. */
   amount: string;
-  /** Date string for the current bounty's start date. */
-  startDate: string;
+  /** Date for the current bounty's start date. */
+  startDate: Date;
   /** Absolute url or relative path to the page of the current bounty. */
   bountyUrl: string;
   /** Absolute url to the bounty's source code. */
@@ -81,13 +81,13 @@ export interface ContestTileData {
   amount: string;
   /** Callback function to be triggered on contest time/status changes. */
   updateContestStatus?: () => void;
-  /** Date string for the current contest's start date. */
-  startDate: string;
-  /** Date string for the current contest's end date. */
-  endDate: string;
+  /** Date for the current contest's start date. */
+  startDate: Date;
+  /** Date for the current contest's end date. */
+  endDate: Date;
   /** Boolean indicating certification status of logged in user. Required for viewing certain contests. */
   isUserCertified: boolean;
-  status: AuditStatus;
+  status: AuditStatus | null;
 }
 
 export interface BaseContestSchedule {
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ export interface BaseContestSchedule {
 }
 
 export interface ContestSchedule extends BaseContestSchedule {
-  status: AuditStatus;
+  status: AuditStatus | null;
   end: Date;
   /** The time the current cohort will pause. */
   pause: Date | null;
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@ export interface ContestSchedule extends BaseContestSchedule {
 }
 
 export interface CountdownProps {
-  start: string;
-  end: string;
+  start: Date;
+  end: Date;
   text?: string | ReactNode;
   updateContestStatus?: () => void;
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/ContestTile/DefaultTemplate.tsx b/src/lib/ContestTile/DefaultTemplate.tsx
index 2d44293f..1e97f462 100644
--- a/src/lib/ContestTile/DefaultTemplate.tsx
+++ b/src/lib/ContestTile/DefaultTemplate.tsx
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ function IsBounty({
   bountyTimelineObject?: BaseContestSchedule | undefined;
 }) {
   const { bountyUrl, amount, startDate, ecosystem, languages } = bountyData;
-  const endDate = "2999-01-01T00:00:00Z"
+  const endDate = new Date("2999-01-01T00:00:00Z");
   let ecosystemLogoName: string = "";
   if (ecosystem) {
     switch (ecosystem) {
diff --git a/src/utils/time.test.ts b/src/utils/time.test.ts
index 59b217fd..3c20e06f 100644
--- a/src/utils/time.test.ts
+++ b/src/utils/time.test.ts
@@ -11,83 +11,83 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       let cohorts:ContestCohort[] = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 4000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 4000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       let dates = getCurrentCohortDates(cohorts);
 
       expect(dates).toStrictEqual({
         resumeDate: null,
-        pauseDate: new Date(cohorts[0].pauseTime!),
+        pauseDate: cohorts[0].pauseTime,
       });
 
       // Upcoming 2nd cohort
       cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       dates = getCurrentCohortDates(cohorts);
 
       expect(dates).toStrictEqual({
-        resumeDate: new Date(cohorts[1].resumeTime!),
-        pauseDate: new Date(cohorts[1].pauseTime!),
+        resumeDate: cohorts[1].resumeTime,
+        pauseDate: cohorts[1].pauseTime,
       });
 
       // Active 2nd cohort
       cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       dates = getCurrentCohortDates(cohorts);
 
       expect(dates).toStrictEqual({
-        resumeDate: new Date(cohorts[1].resumeTime!),
-        pauseDate: new Date(cohorts[1].pauseTime!)
+        resumeDate: cohorts[1].resumeTime,
+        pauseDate: cohorts[1].pauseTime
       });
 
       // Upcoming 3rd
       cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       dates = getCurrentCohortDates(cohorts);
 
       expect(dates).toStrictEqual({
-        resumeDate: new Date(cohorts[2].resumeTime!),
+        resumeDate: cohorts[2].resumeTime,
         pauseDate: null,
       });
 
@@ -95,20 +95,20 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       dates = getCurrentCohortDates(cohorts);
 
       expect(dates).toStrictEqual({
-        resumeDate: new Date(cohorts[2].resumeTime!),
+        resumeDate: cohorts[2].resumeTime,
         pauseDate: null,
       });
     });
@@ -118,22 +118,22 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 4000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 4000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 5000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 5000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       const start = new Date(Date.now() + 1000);
       const end = new Date(Date.now() + 6000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.PreAudit
       });
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
         formattedDuration: "less than a minute",
         formattedEnd: format(end, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         formattedStart: format(start, "d MMM h:mm a"),
-        pause: new Date(cohorts[0].pauseTime!),
+        pause: cohorts[0].pauseTime,
         resume: null,
         start: start,
         status: AuditStatus.PreAudit,
@@ -160,8 +160,8 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const end = new Date(Date.now() + 6000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.PreAudit
       });
@@ -186,22 +186,22 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 4000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 4000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       const start = new Date(Date.now());
       const end = new Date(Date.now() + 5000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.Active
       });
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
         formattedDuration: "less than a minute",
         formattedEnd: format(end, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         formattedStart: format(start, "d MMM h:mm a"),
-        pause: new Date(cohorts[0].pauseTime!),
+        pause: cohorts[0].pauseTime,
         resume: null,
         start: start,
         status: AuditStatus.Active,
@@ -226,22 +226,22 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 3000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       const start = new Date(Date.now() - 2000);
       const end = new Date(Date.now() + 4000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.Paused
       });
@@ -255,8 +255,8 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
         formattedDuration: "less than a minute",
         formattedEnd: format(end, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         formattedStart: format(start, "d MMM h:mm a"),
-        pause: new Date(cohorts[1].pauseTime!),
-        resume: new Date(cohorts[1].resumeTime!),
+        pause: cohorts[1].pauseTime,
+        resume: cohorts[1].resumeTime,
         start: start,
         status: AuditStatus.Paused,
         timeZone: DateTime.local().toFormat("ZZZZ")
@@ -267,22 +267,22 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() + 1000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() + 2000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       const start = new Date(Date.now() - 3000);
       const end = new Date(Date.now() + 3000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.Active
       });
@@ -296,8 +296,8 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
         formattedDuration: "less than a minute",
         formattedEnd: format(end, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         formattedStart: format(start, "d MMM h:mm a"),
-        pause: new Date(cohorts[1].pauseTime!),
-        resume: new Date(cohorts[1].resumeTime!),
+        pause: cohorts[1].pauseTime,
+        resume: cohorts[1].resumeTime,
         start: start,
         status: AuditStatus.Active,
         timeZone: DateTime.local().toFormat("ZZZZ")
@@ -308,22 +308,22 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 1000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       const start = new Date(Date.now() - 5000);
       const end = new Date(Date.now() + 1000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.Active
       });
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
         formattedEnd: format(end, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         formattedStart: format(start, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         pause: null,
-        resume: new Date(cohorts[2].resumeTime!),
+        resume: cohorts[2].resumeTime,
         start: start,
         status: AuditStatus.Active,
         timeZone: DateTime.local().toFormat("ZZZZ")
@@ -349,22 +349,22 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
       const cohorts = [{
         name: "cohort-1",
         resumeTime: null,
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 5000).toISOString(),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 5000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-2",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000).toISOString(),
-        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 4000),
+        pauseTime: new Date(Date.now() - 3000),
       }, {
         name: "cohort-3",
-        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000).toISOString(),
+        resumeTime: new Date(Date.now() - 2000),
         pauseTime: null,
       }];
       const start = new Date(Date.now() - 6000);
       const end = new Date(Date.now() - 1000);
 
       const dates = getContestSchedule({
-        startDate: start.toISOString(),
-        endDate: end.toISOString(),
+        startDate: start,
+        endDate: end,
         cohorts,
         status: AuditStatus.Review
       });
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ describe("utils/time", () => {
         formattedEnd: format(end, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         formattedStart: format(start, "d MMM h:mm a"),
         pause: null,
-        resume: new Date(cohorts[2].resumeTime!),
+        resume: cohorts[2].resumeTime,
         start: start,
         status: AuditStatus.Review,
         timeZone: DateTime.local().toFormat("ZZZZ")
diff --git a/src/utils/time.ts b/src/utils/time.ts
index 28f14201..3c9dda03 100644
--- a/src/utils/time.ts
+++ b/src/utils/time.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
-import { addHours, format, formatDistance, isAfter, isBefore, isEqual } from "date-fns";
-import { BaseContestSchedule, ContestCohort, ContestSchedule } from "../lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types";
+import {
+  addHours,
+  format,
+  formatDistance,
+  isAfter,
+  isBefore,
+  isEqual,
+} from "date-fns";
+import {
+  BaseContestSchedule,
+  ContestCohort,
+  ContestSchedule,
+} from "../lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types";
 import { Status } from "../lib/ContestStatus/ContestStatus.types";
 import { ContestTileData } from "../lib/ContestTile/ContestTile.types";
 import { DateTime } from "luxon";
@@ -22,7 +33,10 @@ function getContestStatuses(
       contestStatus: Status.ENDED,
     };
   }
-  if (isBefore(currentTime, botRaceEnd) && (isAfter(currentTime, start) || isEqual(currentTime, start))) {
+  if (
+    isBefore(currentTime, botRaceEnd) &&
+    (isAfter(currentTime, start) || isEqual(currentTime, start))
+  ) {
     return {
       botRaceStatus: Status.LIVE,
       contestStatus: Status.LIVE,
@@ -44,17 +58,28 @@ function getContestStatuses(
 const getCurrentCohortDates = (cohorts: ContestCohort[]) => {
   const now = Date.now();
 
-  const currentCohort = cohorts.sort((a, b) => {
-    if (a.resumeTime === null) return -1;
-    return new Date(a.resumeTime).getTime() - (b.resumeTime ? new Date(b.resumeTime)?.getTime() : 0);
-  }).find(cohort => {
-    return cohort.pauseTime === null || new Date(cohort.pauseTime).getTime() > now;
-  });
+  const currentCohort = cohorts
+    .sort((a, b) => {
+      if (a.resumeTime === null) return -1;
+      return (
+        a.resumeTime.getTime() -
+        (b.resumeTime ? b.resumeTime?.getTime() : 0)
+      );
+    })
+    .find((cohort) => {
+      return (
+        cohort.pauseTime === null || cohort.pauseTime.getTime() > now
+      );
+    });
 
   return {
-    pauseDate: currentCohort?.pauseTime ? new Date(currentCohort.pauseTime) : null,
-    resumeDate: currentCohort?.resumeTime ? new Date(currentCohort.resumeTime) : null,
-  }
+    pauseDate: currentCohort?.pauseTime
+      ? currentCohort.pauseTime
+      : null,
+    resumeDate: currentCohort?.resumeTime
+      ? currentCohort.resumeTime
+      : null,
+  };
 };
 
 const getContestSchedule = (
@@ -65,21 +90,24 @@ const getContestSchedule = (
 
   return {
     ...schedule,
-    pause: currentCohort.pauseDate && new Date(currentCohort.pauseDate),
-    resume: currentCohort.resumeDate && new Date(currentCohort.resumeDate),
+    pause: currentCohort.pauseDate && currentCohort.pauseDate,
+    resume: currentCohort.resumeDate && currentCohort.resumeDate,
     status: contest.status,
   };
-}
+};
 
 const getDates = (
-  start: string,
-  end: string
+  start: Date | string,
+  end: Date | string
 ): BaseContestSchedule => {
-  const startDate = new Date(start);
-  const endDate = new Date(end);
+  let startDate = start;
+  let endDate = end;
+  if (typeof startDate === "string") startDate = new Date(start);
+  if (typeof endDate === "string") endDate = new Date(end);
+
   const timeZone = DateTime.local().toFormat("ZZZZ");
 
-  const botRaceEnd = addHours(new Date(startDate), 1);
+  const botRaceEnd = addHours(startDate, 1);
   const { contestStatus, botRaceStatus } = getContestStatuses(
     startDate,
     endDate,