What Is a Request for Proposal (RFP)?
A request for proposals (RFP) is the solicitation for a negotiated contract, where the agency can weigh price against your approach and past performance.
RFP (request for proposals) in plain English
With an RFP, you submit a proposal rather than just a price. The agency can choose the offer that gives the best value, not only the lowest price, and it may hold discussions with offerors before it decides.
Many RFPs use the uniform contract format. Section C describes the work, Section L tells you how to prepare and submit your proposal, and Section M explains how proposals will be evaluated. Read Section M first, because it tells you what the agency will score.
An RFP isn't the same as an RFQ, which asks for price quotes on smaller and simpler buys, or an IFB, which is used in sealed bidding where price decides the award.
Related terms
- RFQ (request for quotations): A request for quotations (RFQ) is a solicitation asking businesses for price quotes. It's common on smaller and simpler federal purchases.
- IFB (invitation for bids): An invitation for bids (IFB) is the solicitation used in sealed bidding. Bids are opened at a set time and judged on price and price-related factors.
- Solicitation: A solicitation is an agency's official request for bids, quotes or proposals. It describes the work, the terms, how to respond and how offers are judged.
- Past performance: Past performance is your record on previous contracts. Agencies use it to judge how likely you are to do a new job well.
Put it to work
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
- Search open federal solicitations
Looking for another term? Browse the full glossary or the government contracting glossary guide.