RFP vs RFQ vs IFB: Government Bid Types Explained

Updated November 10, 2026. Facts come from official pages read on that date (listed under Sources). EasBid is an independent bid search service and is not affiliated with any government agency.

An IFB (invitation for bids) is a sealed bid where price decides among bids that meet the specs, an RFP (request for proposals) asks for a proposal that is scored on stated factors and may be negotiated, an RFQ (request for quotations) asks for a price quote on a simpler purchase, and an RFI (request for information) only gathers market information. The letters on a notice tell you how the buyer will choose, which tells you how to write your response. Federal rules for each type are in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); most states and cities use the same terms with their own rules, so always read the solicitation's own instructions.

What is an IFB (invitation for bids)?

An IFB is used in sealed bidding. FAR 14.101 describes sealed bidding as a method that uses competitive bids, public opening of bids and awards, in steps: the invitation must describe the need clearly, accurately and completely; it is publicized in time for bidders to prepare; bidders submit sealed bids to be opened at the stated time and place; bids are evaluated without discussions; and after public opening the award goes promptly to the responsible bidder whose conforming bid is most advantageous to the government, considering only price and price-related factors.

For you this means: follow the specs exactly, fill in every price line, sign every form, and get it in before the opening. There is no chance to explain or fix things later. A bid that does not conform can be rejected even if its price is lowest. Construction work often uses this method; for grant-funded local projects, 2 CFR 200.320 says sealed bids are the preferred method for construction.

What is an RFP (request for proposals)?

FAR 15.203 says RFPs are used in negotiated acquisitions to tell prospective contractors what the government needs and to ask for proposals. At a minimum an RFP for a competitive buy describes the requirement, the expected terms and conditions, what must be in the proposal, and the factors and significant subfactors used to evaluate it and their relative importance.

RFPs are evaluated on more than price. Under FAR 15.101-1, a tradeoff process lets the government pick other than the lowest priced or highest rated offer when the benefits are worth the price, and the RFP must say whether non-price factors combined are more, about equally, or less important than price. Under FAR 15.101-2, the lowest price technically acceptable process awards to the lowest evaluated price among proposals that meet the stated acceptability standards. Because RFPs are negotiated, the agency may hold discussions with offerors in the competitive range before final revisions, as the solicitation allows.

Write an RFP response around the evaluation factors in Section M and the instructions in Section L. Our solicitation reading guide explains those sections.

What is an RFQ (request for quotations)?

RFQs are common for smaller and simpler purchases, especially under simplified acquisition procedures, which FAR 2.101 ties to the simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000 (with exceptions). A key legal point is in FAR 13.004: a quotation is not an offer, so the government cannot accept it to form a binding contract. When the government issues an order in response to your quote, that order is the government's offer to buy, and a contract forms only when you accept it, for example by delivering or by written acceptance as the order states.

RFQs usually ask for a price, a delivery date and a short description of what you will provide. Keep it tight, answer every item and include any required forms. Speed matters: response times on small buys can be short.

What is an RFI or sources sought notice?

An RFI is not a bid. FAR 15.201 says RFIs may be used when the government does not yet intend to award a contract but wants price, delivery, other market information or capabilities for planning, and that responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a contract. The FAR 52.215-3 provision used on these requests says the government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of the request.

Still, answer the ones in your field. Agency market research, which FAR 10.001 requires before soliciting offers above the simplified acquisition threshold, is where decisions such as whether to set the work aside for small business get made. See sources sought notices explained.

How do I tell which type a notice is?

Look at the notice title and number. The solicitation type is usually in the heading.
Look at the evaluation language. "Lowest responsive, responsible bidder" and a public bid opening point to sealed bidding. "Best value", "tradeoff", evaluation factors and discussions point to an RFP. "Lowest price technically acceptable" is an RFP evaluated mostly on price once you pass the bar.
Look at what you must submit. A bid form and price schedule only suggests an IFB or RFQ. A technical volume, management plan and past performance section mean an RFP.
Check the deadline wording. Bid opening date versus proposal due date.

Do states and cities use the same terms?

Mostly yes, but rules vary. Many states use ITB (invitation to bid) instead of IFB, and some use RFB (request for bids) or IFQ. Local buyers spending federal grant money follow 2 CFR 200.320, which splits methods into informal (micro-purchases and simplified acquisitions), formal (sealed bids or proposals, with public notice, above the recipient's simplified acquisition threshold) and noncompetitive. When a state or city uses an RFP, its evaluation rules are in its own procurement code and the solicitation itself.

What are common mistakes on each type?

IFB: a missing signature, a blank price line, a missing bid bond or acknowledgment of amendments, or a late bid. FAR 14.304 treats a bid received after the exact time as late, with narrow exceptions.
RFP: answering what you want to say rather than the evaluation factors, ignoring page limits, or missing the format rules in Section L. Late proposals are handled the same strict way under FAR 15.208.
RFQ: leaving out delivery terms, quoting the wrong item, or missing a short deadline.
RFI: skipping it because it is not a bid, which gives up a chance to shape the buy.

Frequently asked questions

Is an RFQ a binding offer?

Not in federal purchasing. FAR 13.004 says a quotation is not an offer and cannot be accepted to form a binding contract. The government's order is the offer, and a contract forms when you accept it.

Does the lowest price always win an IFB?

The award goes to the responsible bidder whose conforming bid is most advantageous considering only price and price-related factors (FAR 14.408-1). A low bid that does not conform, or a bidder found not responsible, does not get the award.

Can I negotiate after submitting a sealed bid?

No. Under FAR 14.101, sealed bids are evaluated without discussions. RFPs are different: the agency may hold discussions with offerors in the competitive range if the solicitation allows.

Should I answer an RFI if there is no contract?

Usually yes, if the work fits you. Responses are not offers, but they feed the agency's market research, which can affect whether the work is set aside for small business.

What is the difference between an ITB and an IFB?

They mean the same thing in practice: an invitation for sealed bids. States and cities often say ITB or RFB; federal rules say IFB.

Sources

FAR 2.101 Definitions (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 13.004 Legal effect of quotations (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 14.101 Elements of sealed bidding (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 14.408-1 Award (sealed bidding) (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 14.304 Submission, modification, and withdrawal of bids (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 15.101-1 Tradeoff process (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 15.101-2 Lowest price technically acceptable process (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 15.201 Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 15.203 Requests for proposals (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 15.208 Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 52.215-3 Request for information or solicitation for planning purposes (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 10.001 Market research policy (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)
2 CFR 200.320 Procurement methods (ecfr.gov, read November 10, 2026)
FAR 15.306 Exchanges with offerors after receipt of proposals (acquisition.gov, read November 10, 2026)

General information, not legal advice. Always follow the instructions in each solicitation.

Search open bids free More guides

RFP vs. RFQ vs. IFB: what's the difference?