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What is an RFQ?

By Katharine Swan
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 34,405
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RFQ is the acronym for Request For Quote or Request For Quotation. This is a request that a company puts out when it wants to hire contractors to perform a job; the RFQ is basically the company's way of encouraging contractors to bid against each other. The company then selects one of the bidders to take the job.

A small business owner or entrepreneur can also include an RFQ form on his or her website. This allows potential customers to contact him or her to request prices on services or products. An online form may help to encourage potential customers to make a purchase, as it solicits action instead of passive Internet browsing.

Another term frequently used is Request For Proposal, or RFP. Although the difference in terms can be confusing, an RFP and an RFQ are basically the same thing: an invitation for a contractor to make a bid. Although the idea of an RFQ is fairly simple, it is still a business document, and as such is divided into several important sections. The first section of may be called the “Organizational Overview,” or a similar term, and contains background information on the company.

Another important section of the RFQ is often called “Required Deliverables.” This section describes what the end product of the job must be. For instance, if the company is looking for a contract technical writer to put together a software manual, the manual itself will be listed in this section. The RFQ may also describe any features that the company wants the manual to have, such as color images, specific sections, or a certain kind of binding.

A third section is the “Assumptions and Agreements” section. This describes the terms of the job, such as a project budget, a bid limit, what types of travel expenses or per diem the company will provide, the process used to approve the product or materials, and so on. By submitting a bid, the contractor is agreeing to these terms. An RFQ also provides information for contractors to use when putting together a bid. This information may include a bid submission deadline, information that the bid documentation or proposal must include to be considered, and the factors that will determine which bid the company chooses.

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Discussion Comments
By anon131992 — On Dec 05, 2010

Great article on RFQ. provides all necessary details

By anon85130 — On May 19, 2010

Nice article about RFQ.

By anon51896 — On Nov 10, 2009

The article is excellent. It provides all the necessary details that are required about RFQ.

By anon4599 — On Oct 24, 2007

The internet contains massive amounts of information for every type of business. And there are online B2B purchasing services available that can get you leads from "ready to purchase" buyers. Most of these services provides "Pre-Qualified" leads. These sites provides a unique service for both buyer's and suppliers. Buyers get free purchasing resource/guide to help them know more about the product; and have Buyer's submit a RFQ (request for quote) process; which is in turn a lead to suppliers in their network. Most services like this charge some nominal fee per Lead, and some do charge an annual maintenance fee (you should avoid them).

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