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Sourcing & Suppliers

Request for Tender (RFT)

Also known as: RFT

A request for tender is a formal invitation asking suppliers to submit priced, binding bids to supply defined goods, services or works.

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A request for tender (RFT) sets out detailed requirements, specifications, terms and evaluation criteria, and invites qualified suppliers to submit complete, competitive offers. It is a structured, often formal procedure used for higher-value or complex purchases, common in government-linked and public-sector procurement where fairness and transparency are mandatory. Responses are compared through a defined bid-evaluation process.

An RFT is more prescriptive than a request for quotation and is used when the requirement is well specified and price competition is central. It usually has firm submission rules and deadlines, and the resulting bids may be binding. Running it through structured e-sourcing improves comparability, keeps a clear audit trail and speeds evaluation.

Frequently asked questions

What is a request for tender?
A request for tender (RFT) is a formal invitation asking qualified suppliers to submit priced, often binding bids to supply defined goods, services or works, evaluated against set criteria.
What is the difference between an RFT and an RFQ?
An RFT is a more formal, structured tendering process typically used for higher-value or complex requirements, while an RFQ is a lighter request for prices on well-defined, usually lower-value items.

Go deeper

Request for quotation template

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