Federal Contracting Basics
RFQ vs RFP vs RFI: What's the Difference?
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Three acronyms you'll see constantly in government contracting — and they're not interchangeable. Knowing which is which determines whether you can bid, how to respond, and what the agency is actually looking for.
Quick Reference
| Type | Full Name | Can you bid? | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFQ | Request for Quotation | Yes | Price-based competition for defined goods/services |
| RFP | Request for Proposal | Yes | Technical + price evaluation for complex work |
| RFI | Request for Information | No | Market research — not a solicitation |
What Is an RFQ (Request for Quotation)?
An RFQ is the most common type of federal solicitation, especially for purchases under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($350,000). When an agency issues an RFQ, it means they know exactly what they want and they're asking vendors to submit a price quote.
RFQs typically evaluate vendors primarily — sometimes exclusively — on price. The agency has already determined the requirements; your job is to quote the lowest compliant price. RFQs are generally faster to respond to than RFPs and have shorter award timelines.
Common use cases for RFQs include: off-the-shelf products, standard services with clear specifications, GSA Schedule orders, and small purchases under the simplified acquisition threshold.
What Is an RFP (Request for Proposal)?
An RFP is used for more complex procurements where price alone doesn't determine the winner. The agency evaluates your technical approach, past performance, and management plan alongside your price. Winning an RFP often requires demonstrating that your solution is superior, not just cheapest.
RFPs use one of two main evaluation methods:
- Best Value. The agency awards to the vendor offering the best combination of technical merit and price. A higher-priced bid with stronger technical approach can win over a lower-priced competitor.
- LPTA (Lowest Price Technically Acceptable). The agency sets minimum technical standards — any vendor meeting those standards wins at the lowest price. Less room for technical differentiation.
RFPs require more work to respond to (written technical volumes, past performance references, pricing matrices) but represent larger contract values and longer performance periods.
What Is an RFI (Request for Information)?
An RFI is not a solicitation. The agency is doing market research — gathering information about vendor capabilities, industry pricing, or available solutions before deciding how to structure a future procurement. You cannot win a contract by responding to an RFI.
However, responding to RFIs is valuable because:
- You get on the contracting officer's radar before the solicitation is released
- Your response may influence how the solicitation is written (to your advantage)
- You learn about upcoming opportunities early
- You can ask clarifying questions that help you prepare a stronger proposal
Sources Sought notices work the same way — they're market research, not solicitations.
What to Include in Your Response
RFQ Response
- • Price/quote (required)
- • Delivery timeline
- • Product specs / service description
- • Certifications and SAM.gov status
- • Signed representations and certifications
RFP Response
- • Technical volume (your approach)
- • Past performance references
- • Management plan
- • Pricing volume (often separate)
- • Representations and certifications
Always read the solicitation's instructions carefully. Section L (Instructions to Offerors) tells you exactly what to submit. Failure to follow instructions is a common reason proposals are rejected without evaluation.
Finding RFQs and RFPs on EasyGov
EasyGov shows active RFQs and RFPs from SAM.gov and labels each by type. The AI summary for each opportunity includes the document type, so you know immediately whether you're looking at a price competition or a full proposal.
Browse active RFQs and RFPs →Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a micro-purchase and does it appear on SAM.gov?
A micro-purchase is any purchase under $15,000 (for standard procurements). Agencies can make micro-purchases from any vendor without competition or posting on SAM.gov. These are often made by purchase card (government credit card) directly with vendors. They won't appear in SAM.gov, but you can get micro-purchase business by marketing directly to agencies.
Can I respond to an RFI?
You can and often should respond to an RFI (Request for Information). An RFI is market research — the agency is deciding how to structure a future solicitation. Responding demonstrates your capabilities, may shape the final solicitation requirements, and puts you on the contracting officer's radar. Never submit a price in response to an RFI.
What is a Sources Sought notice?
A Sources Sought notice is functionally the same as an RFI — it's market research. The agency is looking for capable vendors and often determining whether a small business set-aside is appropriate. Respond with your capabilities, certifications, and relevant past performance.
How long do I have to respond to an RFQ or RFP?
By law, most solicitations must be open for at least 30 days. However, exceptions exist for urgency, simple purchases, or competitive situations. RFQs under the simplified acquisition threshold can have shorter response windows. Always check the specific deadline on the solicitation.