RFP vs Tender: What Is the Difference?

Buyers use several names for a request to suppliers. They look alike but ask for different things and are scored differently, so reading the right one matters before you decide to bid.

Comparison of tender, RFP, RFQ, RFI and EOI
Document	What you submit	How the winner is picked	When it is used
Tender (ITT, RFT)	A priced offer to supply defined goods, services or works	Compliant bid with the best price, or the best mix of price and quality where the buyer scores both	Clear specifications; common in the UK, EU, India, Africa and Commonwealth countries
RFP (request for proposal)	A proposed solution and approach, with a price	Weighted scoring of the solution, team, experience and price	Complex needs where the buyer wants ideas, not only a price; the usual term in the USA and Canada
RFQ (request for quotation)	A price quote for a defined item or service	Usually the lowest acceptable quote	Low-value, simple purchases
RFI (request for information)	Information about your capabilities; no price commitment	No award; it shapes a later tender or RFP	Early market research
EOI (expression of interest)	A short statement of interest and credentials	Shortlisting for a later restricted tender or RFP	Prequalification before the full invitation

Whatever the name, they all appear as open opportunities on procurement portals. TenderG lists 173,799 of them right now across 140 countries: browse the open bids.

Which one should you expect?

If the document lists exact quantities and specifications, expect a tender or RFQ and price against the specification line by line. If it describes an outcome and asks how you would reach it, expect an RFP and put effort into the method, the team and the evidence from similar work. An RFI or EOI is a chance to be noticed early and costs little, but does not commit the buyer to anything.

Procedures matter as well as names: an open tender lets any qualified supplier bid, a restricted tender invites a shortlist. Read open, restricted and negotiated procedures and the longer RFP, RFQ, RFI and EOI guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an RFP and a tender?

A tender asks suppliers to price a defined requirement, and price is often the main factor. An RFP asks suppliers to propose how they would solve a problem, and the buyer scores the approach as well as the price. The terms are used loosely, so always read the evaluation criteria in the document.

Is a tender the same as a bid?

A tender is the buyer's invitation; a bid (or tender response) is the supplier's offer. People often use the words for the same thing.

Which term is used in my country?

Tender is the standard word in the UK, the EU, India, Australia, much of Africa and the Middle East. In the USA, public buyers use solicitation, invitation for bids (IFB) and request for proposals (RFP). Portals in Latin America often use licitacion or concurso.

Do I need different documents for an RFP and a tender?

The building blocks are similar: company profile, references, compliance evidence, price. An RFP response puts more weight on the written solution, team and method.