RFI, RFQ, RFP, and IFB: what changes in practice?

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• 4th August 2026 at 9:31 am #3246

  NNick Oscar

  These labels can look interchangeable in a portal. What response is each notice asking for, and what should a supplier check before investing time?

  4th August 2026 at 9:31 am #3247

  NNick Oscar

  Accepted editorial answer

  In the federal system, an RFI is generally for market research or planning; FAR 15.201 says it is not a request for an offer. An RFQ asks for quotation information, often under simplified procedures. Under FAR 13.004, a quotation is not itself an offer that the government can accept to create a contract.

  An RFP requests proposals for a negotiated acquisition. FAR 15.203 covers the requirements, instructions, contract terms, and evaluation factors. An IFB is used for sealed bidding, where bids are publicly opened and evaluated without discussions.

  State and local agencies can use the same labels differently. The safest approach is to read the response instructions, evaluation method, deadline, and stated legal effect in the notice itself. The acronym is a clue, not the complete rule.

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