This is a good question and one we hear often. We will try our best to give you a simple answer to help you make a determination when performing your purchasing duties.

Documents issued by Purchasing can be an RFQ (request for quote), RFI (request for information), RFP (request for proposal), or ITQ (invitation to quote), IFB (invitation for bid) or others.

RFQs are used when the Owner knows exactly the type and quantity of goods it wants to buy, while RFP’s ask bidders to provide a solution to a problem that could be solved in different ways.

Example of when to use a RFQ is if you are buying 100 each Toshiba Laptop Computers c/w 2 GB ram, 100 GB HD, DVD Burner, Windows XP, etc etc. You know your requirement and have a specification to issue with the request.

When to use an RFP, would be if you were unsure on whether to purchase, lease, rent 100 computers, as and when required, with software and hardware requirements that differ from PC to PC. This gives the bidders an opportunity to offer a solution to your requirement.

With the above in mind, it should be noted that evaluating a RFQ is usually easier than trying to determine an award from the results of an RFP.

Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition US $70.00 (13 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Oct-12-2008 10:00:13 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

MICROSOFT OFFICE XP STANDARD 2002 US $51.00 (5 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Oct-12-2008 10:03:20 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

Here is a sample RFQ template for the solicitation of quotes for the purchase of business computers or computer hardware. Download in Word >>> rfq29-rfq-computers

Looking for a laptop or computer to help you generate your RFP or RFQ?

2.4 GHZ! 1 FAST GATEWAY DESKTOP COMPUTER P4 WIN XP-2 PC US $127.50 (12 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Oct-12-2008 9:57:00 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

1 FAST DELL PC P4 2.8 GHZ DESKTOP COMPUTER WIN XP 2 PRO US $217.50 (26 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Oct-12-2008 9:59:20 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

HP COMPAQ D220 MT DESKTOP COMPUTER US $66.00 (6 Bids) Auction Ends: Sunday Oct-12-2008 10:00:56 PDT Bid on this Item   | Watch this Item

Here is another simple yet effective template you can use to ask the right questions to users when you are ready to solicit website design services. By addressing these questions upfront you will ensure your bidders will respond appropriately to your quotation.

Download RFP in Microsoft Word Format  >>> rfq10-web-design-rfp

Download RFP in PDF Format  >>> rfq10-web-design-rfp

To receive the complete template pack in Microsoft Word and PDF formats visit the Special Offers at top of the page .

The budget cost or acquisition value usually determines the amount of work and effort you put into your RFQ | RFP proposals and the whole quotation process. Sometimes, you just need a simple or basic RFQ, a one pager which will allow you to go out for quotes and include some basic terms and conditions of purchase.

If you are looking for a simple or basic RFQ | RFP template you can use to solicit quotations, proposals this template should suffice. Keep in mind you can change the automobile specification section of the template and customize it by adding your own scope or specification for any purchase requirement.

Download free vehicle RFQ sample template >>> rfq19-basic-rfq-vehicle

For more RFQ Templates

Looking for a RFP or RFQ you can use to get you started in quoting or requesting a quotation for website design services?

Download this great template for a web design RFQ / RFP template put together by NPower…

Download sample RFP in Word document format here>>> Word Templates

Download sample RFP document in PDF format here>>> rfp_web_sample.pdf