Tendup Learning Hub
Learning never stops. Here you can find the information to help you learn more about Tendering, with blogs, tips and answers to common questions, we’re sure you will find something for you!
The Tendup Blog
Tips and FAQs
Tender Questions
Tenders are tricky at the best of times, so we’ve answered the most common tendering questions to help.
RFT (Request for Tender)
A request for tender, or RFT, is a document or set of documents issued by an organisation (usually government) to the open market to procure products or services. The RFT document will outline the requirements and ask questions about the applicant’s ability to meet those requirements.
These documents are often large and complicated with multiple sections including terms and conditions, response forms, and pricing tables to be completed.
RFQ (Request for Quote)
A request for quote, or RFQ is usually the term for a document issued under the terms of a panel contract. Panels are a shortlist of suppliers who sign onto an overarching contract with pre-agreed terms and pricing. The RFQ will only be issued to organisations that are on the panel, so getting on panels and responding well to RFQs is important for government suppliers.
RFQs are shorter and less complicated than an RFT and more like completing a form, but you may still include some more complex information as an attachment if the products or services being bought are for large projects.
A Request for Information (RFI) is a document or process used to gather information from potential suppliers to make a more informed decision about a potential project. RFIs are typically used to gather information about products, services, or solutions that may be available to meet the needs of a specific project. It’s a tool to gather information in a non-binding way, and it’s used to gain a better understanding of the market and the solutions that are available.
A Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) is like a RFI in that it is used to gather information from potential suppliers. However, an REOI is typically used at the beginning of a procurement process to identify and pre-qualify potential suppliers for a project. REOIs are used to gather information about the capability and capacity of potential suppliers to perform specific work, and to determine their level of interest in participating in a future procurement process.