GOVERNMENT CONTRACT
INFORMATION & SERVICES

Invitation For Bids (IFBs) can be quite short and relatively simple to prepare.  They can contain as few as 15 pages or as many as 100.  Their complexity depends on the project or the commodity.  These types of solicitations are ususally awarded primarily on price.  Competitive pricing here is a key factor.

Request For Proposals (RFPs) are usually  more complex than (IFBs) .  They tend to be issued for service oriented contracts with large staffing requirements or complex operations involved.  In many cases they are looking for comprehensive project management plans, a past performance section, a quality control plan spelled out in detail, and a separate volume on costing broken down line by line.  Every contract is broken down into sections. Address each section in order and let them be your guide to preparing the proposal.

Request For Quotes (RFQs).  These are generally the easiest to prepare. and it is usually just a question of filling in the blanks.  Like IFBs, they are most often evaluated and awarded solely on price.

While IFBs and RFQs are generally awarded solely on the basis price, RFPs tend to be weighted differently. Past Performance and technical capabilities may often count more than price. A strong presentation, or proposal, can be decisive.

These easy step-by-step learning guides will help you prepare winning bids, quotes and proposals like a pro!