RFP vs RFQ vs IFB: What's the Difference and When Each is Used

Walk into your first federal contracting meeting and you’ll hear RFP, RFQ, and IFB thrown around like they’re interchangeable. They’re not — and confusing them will cost you real money. Each solicitation type signals a different procurement intent, a different evaluation approach, and a different response strategy on your part. This guide clears up the acronyms, shows when the government actually uses each, and walks through how your proposal should change based on the type.

Table of contents

• The three main solicitation types
• IFB: Invitation for Bid
• RFQ: Request for Quotation
• RFP: Request for Proposal
• Related terms: RFI, sources sought, BAA
• How your response strategy changes
• Real examples
• Comparison table
• Key takeaways
• FAQ

The three main solicitation types

The government uses different solicitation types because procurements vary in complexity, risk, and what the agency is optimizing for. In broad strokes:

• IFB — the agency knows exactly what it wants, just wants the lowest price
• RFQ — the agency wants quick pricing on commercial items, usually under simplified acquisition thresholds
• RFP — the agency wants the best overall value, considering technical merit and price together

Picking the right strategy starts with knowing which type you’re responding to.

IFB: Invitation for Bid

What it is

A formal sealed-bid procurement. Governed primarily by FAR Part 14. The government issues a detailed specification, vendors submit sealed price-only bids, and the lowest responsive and responsible bidder wins.

“Responsive” means your bid conforms to the material terms of the solicitation. “Responsible” means you have the capacity to perform — adequate finances, integrity, past performance.

When it’s used

• Construction where specifications are detailed and standardized
• Commodity purchases with clear specifications (fuel, paper, uniforms)
• Services with well-defined, repetitive scope
• Situations where the government has decided price is the only meaningful differentiator

IFBs are less common at the federal level today than they were 30 years ago because most complex work benefits from technical evaluation, but they’re still widely used in construction and some commodity buys.

Response format

• Brief. You’re submitting a sealed price, signed bid bond if required, and acknowledgments of any amendments.
• Bids are typically opened publicly on a specified date. Other bidders’ prices become public.
• Award usually follows within 30 days. No discussions or negotiations — the bidder you submitted is the bid the government accepts.

Strategy notes

• Accuracy matters more than eloquence. A single math error can disqualify you.
• Price your bid at the exact point you want to win — there’s no negotiation.
• Understand the prevailing wage, bonding, and other compliance requirements upfront; non-compliance voids your bid.

RFQ: Request for Quotation

What it is

A request for a commercial price quote. Governed primarily by FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) for purchases typically under $250,000 (the Simplified Acquisition Threshold). RFQs are less formal than IFBs and RFPs.

Critically, an RFQ is not an offer. When the government issues an RFQ and you respond with a quote, no binding contract exists. The government then issues a purchase order or task order, which is the offer, and you accept it.

When it’s used

• Commercial item buys under simplified acquisition thresholds
• GSA Schedule task orders (Schedule holders quote against customer RFQs)
• Routine, lower-dollar services and products
• Buys that need to close in 5–10 days

Response format

• Short — often a few pages
• Emphasis on pricing breakdown, delivery schedule, and basic technical capability
• Brief company information (often a capabilities statement + past performance)
• Total lifecycle cost when relevant

Strategy notes

• Speed matters. RFQs often close fast; a polished, quick response beats a slow, perfect one.
• Price competitively but with a clear understanding of your costs. Margins are typically tighter than in RFP awards.
• If you’re a GSA Schedule holder, reference your Schedule contract number and labor categories clearly.

RFP: Request for Proposal

What it is

The primary instrument for complex procurements. Governed by FAR Part 15 (Negotiated Procurements). The government describes its needs, establishes evaluation criteria, and invites proposals that describe both technical approach and price. Award is made based on best value to the government, not necessarily lowest price.

When it’s used

• Complex services (IT, engineering, R&D, consulting)
• Large construction projects
• Major systems acquisition
• Anything where technical merit, past performance, and management approach materially affect outcomes

Most federal solicitations above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold are RFPs.

Response format

• Multi-volume proposal, often 50–500+ pages total
• Technical volume (approach, staffing, management)
• Past performance volume
• Price volume
• Supporting appendices (resumes, quality plans, small business subcontracting plan)

Strategy notes

• Best value tradeoff means your technical and management approach can justify higher price.
• LPTA (Lowest Price Technically Acceptable) is a subtype of RFP where you must be compliant, then cheapest. Less common today.
• Section L (Instructions to Offerors) and Section M (Evaluation Criteria) are the two most important parts of any RFP. Read them first.
• Discussions and negotiations are possible — the government may give you a chance to revise proposals based on initial evaluation feedback.

Related terms: RFI, sources sought, BAA

A few other solicitation types you’ll encounter:

RFI (Request for Information)

Purely informational. The agency is gathering market research; no contract will result. Responses help shape future solicitations. Responding is free marketing.

Sources Sought Notice

Similar to RFI but with a specific procurement in mind. The agency is determining whether there’s sufficient small business interest to justify a set-aside. Always respond if you’re qualified — your response directly influences whether the eventual RFP is restricted to small businesses.

BAA (Broad Agency Announcement)

Used for research and development programs. Typically open-ended: the agency describes areas of interest, and contractors propose approaches. Common at DARPA, NIH, DOE research programs.

Solicitation Combined Synopsis

A streamlined format combining the initial synopsis and full solicitation into one SAM.gov posting. Common for commercial item buys.

How your response strategy changes

Your proposal approach varies dramatically by solicitation type:

IFB:

• 1–3 day response time
• Double-check pricing math, bonding, compliance
• Submit early

RFQ:

• 5–10 day response time
• Focus on price, delivery, and short technical narrative
• Match format to what the contracting officer asked for

RFP:

• 20–60 day response time typically
• Assemble a full proposal team
• Build compliance matrix, run color team reviews
• See our proposal writing guide

Mismatched strategy wastes effort. Treating an RFQ like an RFP makes you slow; treating an RFP like an RFQ makes you lose.

Real examples

IFB example: Army Corps of Engineers issues an IFB for concrete work on a levee project. Detailed civil engineering drawings, specific material specifications, prevailing wage requirements. Bidders submit a single price for the total work. Lowest responsive bidder wins.

RFQ example: Department of Energy needs 50 laptops with specific configurations for a field office. Issues an RFQ under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. GSA Schedule resellers quote within 5 days. Purchase order to the lowest compliant quote.

RFP example: Department of Homeland Security is procuring a cybersecurity services contract, 5-year term, $50M ceiling. Issues an RFP with Section L (format), Section M (evaluation: Technical 40%, Past Performance 35%, Price 25%). Proposals are 100+ pages, take 90 days to evaluate. Multiple companies propose; best value wins.

Comparison table

Dimension	IFB	RFQ	RFP
Governing FAR Part	14	13	15
Typical size range	Varies	Under $250K	Typically above $250K
Response length	Short (pricing + certs)	Short-medium	Long (multi-volume)
Response time	15–30 days	5–10 days	20–60+ days
Award criteria	Lowest responsive + responsible	Usually best overall quote	Best value (technical + price)
Discussion/negotiation	No	Rare	Yes (possible)
Price visibility	Public bid opening	Private	Private
Best for	Standardized commodity/construction	Small commercial buys	Complex services, systems

Key takeaways

• IFB, RFQ, and RFP are not interchangeable. Each signals different evaluation mechanics and requires a different response strategy.
• IFBs are price-only sealed bids; get the math right.
• RFQs are quick commercial quotes; speed and price matter more than narrative.
• RFPs are best-value competitions; technical, past performance, and management approach can justify price.
• Always respond to Sources Sought notices if you’re qualified — they influence whether the real procurement gets set aside.

Find the right type of opportunity for your business. Browse RFPs, RFQs, and IFBs filtered by type, or sign up for notifications on solicitation types that fit your business.

FAQ

Is an RFP always more complex than an RFQ? Generally yes. RFPs involve technical evaluation and best-value tradeoffs; RFQs focus on price and basic capability. But some simplified RFPs are close to RFQ complexity, and some large RFQs (especially Schedule task orders) are nearly RFP-complex.

Can the government convert an IFB to an RFP? Not mid-stream for a given procurement. But an agency might withdraw an IFB and reissue as an RFP if technical evaluation proves necessary.

Do I have to accept a contract resulting from my RFQ response? Under FAR Part 13, an RFQ response is a quote, not an offer. The government’s purchase order is the offer. You technically can decline, though repeatedly doing so can hurt your past performance reputation.

Why do some RFPs have LPTA in the title? LPTA (Lowest Price Technically Acceptable) is an RFP variant where price drives selection after a technical “pass/fail” gate. Used for commoditized services. Has been falling out of favor under FAR reforms, but still common.

What’s the smallest contract that requires an RFP? There’s no fixed threshold. Above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($250K) agencies typically default to RFP, though they can use other methods. Below that, RFQs and micro-purchase card buys dominate.

How can I know which type of solicitation an agency will use? Check past award history. An agency that consistently uses RFQs for a certain type of buy will likely keep doing so. SAM.gov and USAspending.gov give you this history.