The table below summarises the most common proposal types and their associated abbreviated titles:
|
Document Type
|
Abbreviation
|
|
Expression of Interest
|
EOI
|
|
Request for Applications
|
RFA
|
|
Request for Documentation
|
RFD
|
|
Request for Information
|
RFI
|
|
Request for Offer
|
RFO
|
|
Request for Proposal
|
RFP
|
|
Request for Quotation
|
RFQ
|
|
Request for Tender
|
RFT
|
|
Registration of Interest
|
ROI
|
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Typically an EOI will incorporate an overview of the opportunity proposed objectives and key activities. It will normally seek input on potential benefits costs and timelines. An EOI is generally less rigid than a ROI.
Request for Documentation (RFD)
Formalised request for general information about products or services often undertaken as a show of transparency.
Request for Application (RFA)
Normally used by all levels of government when seeking applications for annual or one-off grants of various types.
Request for Information (RFI)
An RFI generally describes an opportunity and sets out a specific framework for potential suppliers to provide information about alternatives costs schedules and their ability to supply. An RFI will commonly precede an RFP or RFT.
Request for Offer
(RFO)
A Request for Offer is a cross between a Request for Quotation and Expression of Interest. The RFO seeks product and pricing information from interest suppliers including a strong business case.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
In Australia RFP’s are more commonly used in the private sector than in government. An RFP will normally describe an opportunity outline key requirements state desired outcomes and seek free-form response that encompasses benefit cost and solution details.
Request for Quotation (RFQ)
A Request for Quotation seeks to solicit comparable product and pricing information from suppliers in a structured manner.
Request for Tender (RFT)
The publication of an RFT is normally the most complex mechanism for providing detailed specifications and requirements. An RFT will demand an exact answer to the stated requirements and fixed contract and pricing details.
Registration of Interest (ROI)
Most frequently form based a ROI will normally describe an opportunity and provide and specific questions for potential suppliers to answer. The purpose of an ROI maybe to pre-qualify suppliers or simply seek out suppliers able to provide innovative products or services.
Proposal Apples & Oranges
Different solicitation document types produce different evaluation challenges and are more suitable for product than service opportunities and vice versa.
|
Type
|
Most Suitable For:
|
Expected or Intend Response Type
|
|
EOI
|
Innovation Opportunities
|
|
|
Responses will general vary, but should produce comparable project & cost elements
|
|
RFA
|
Merit Based Grants
|
|
|
Intended to solicit comparable applications but with varying degrees of merit
|
|
RFD
|
Sourcing of Product Information
|
|
|
Responses are generally akin to a sales material dump
|
|
RFI
|
Innovation Opportunities
|
|
|
Generally expected to produce widely vary responses
|
|
RFO
|
Business Case backed Innovation Opportunities
|
|
|
If framed correctly an RFO should produce comparable responses supported by business case with varying merit
|
|
RFP
|
Service / Product Opportunities
|
|
|
Expected to generate flexible, but comparable responses
|
|
RFQ
|
Structured Product / Service Opportunities
|
|
|
Intended to solicit comparable
quotations, but with potentially elements
|
|
RFT
|
Highly Structured Product / Service Opportunities
|
|
|
Expected to generate
highly comparable solutions based on a frequently rigid framework.
|
|
ROI
|
Prequalification of Product / Service Opportunities
|
|
|
Expected to produce comparable components such as cost models tempered with varying delivery mechanisms and/or styles.
|
NB: There is no definitive guide to classifying tender types. Therefore two separate organisations can theoretical classify the same subject matter differently.