Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Request for Quotation Document

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) — BUSINESS AGREEMENT

Parties

Requesting Party Name:

Requesting Party Address:

Supplier Name:

Supplier Address:

Recitals

WHEREAS, Requesting Party desires to solicit a written quotation for the goods and/or services described in this Request for Quotation (the "RFQ") and to define certain commercial terms under which a quotation may be submitted;

WHEREAS, Supplier represents that it is duly qualified and possesses the skill, personnel and resources required to prepare and submit a quotation and to perform the work if selected; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend that a submitted quotation accepted in writing by Requesting Party will form a binding agreement incorporating the terms set forth in this RFQ and the accepted quotation.

RFQ Administrative Details

Scope of Work

Provide a detailed description of the goods and/or services for which a quotation is requested. Include deliverables, performance standards, milestones and acceptance criteria.

Itemized Requirements

Enter up to six discrete line items. If additional space is required, attach a separate schedule and reference below.

Quotation Requirements and Validity

Each quotation must be submitted in writing and must remain valid for the period set forth below. Quotations shall state unit prices, extended totals, applicable taxes, lead times and proposed delivery or performance dates. Requesting Party is not obligated to accept the lowest quotation and may reject all quotations.

Payment Terms

Payment obligations, invoicing requirements and remedies for late payment are set forth below. Supplier shall invoice Requesting Party in accordance with the agreed schedule and shall include supporting documentation as required by the Scope of Work.

Term and Termination

The parties agree that the quotation and any resulting agreement shall commence and terminate as set forth below unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Either party may terminate for material breach if the breach is not cured within the notice period. Termination for convenience requires the notice period set forth above and payment for all work performed through the effective termination date.

Confidentiality

All non-public information exchanged in connection with this RFQ shall be treated as Confidential Information. Confidential Information excludes information that is (a) already known to the receiving party without confidentiality obligations, (b) becomes publicly available through no fault of the receiving party, or (c) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction.

The receiving party shall not use Confidential Information except to evaluate or perform under this RFQ and shall use at least the same degree of care to protect such information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but no less than reasonable care.

Acknowledgement: By checking the box, Supplier acknowledges receipt of Confidential Information and agrees to the confidentiality obligations above.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This RFQ and any resulting agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state set forth below, without regard to conflict of laws principles. The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes promptly by negotiation.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This RFQ together with any written quotation accepted by Requesting Party constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and agreements. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Representations and Certifications

Supplier represents that the information submitted in any quotation is true, complete and accurate and that Supplier has the authority to enter into and perform under any resulting agreement. Supplier further certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws in the performance of the work.

Submission Instructions

Submit the completed quotation, attachments and any requested certifications by the Response Due Date. Quotations must be signed by an authorized representative of Supplier. Late submissions may be rejected at Requesting Party's discretion.

Acceptance and Award

No quotation shall be deemed accepted until Requesting Party issues a written award or purchase order. Acceptance of a quotation is subject to Supplier's compliance with the terms of this RFQ and any conditions stated in the quotation.

Requesting Party - Print Name:

By:

Date:

Supplier - Print Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Request for Quotation Document Is and When to Use It

A Request for Quotation Document (RFQ) is a procurement document used to solicit price quotes and delivery terms from suppliers for well‑defined goods or services. Unlike an RFP, an RFQ focuses primarily on price and technical compliance against defined specifications. RFQs typically include item descriptions, quantities, delivery timelines, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions. Organizations use RFQs to compare competitive offers, ensure consistent vendor responses, and create a record of the procurement process that supports auditability and downstream contract formation when a preferred quote is selected.

Why a Clear RFQ Matters for Procurement

A precise RFQ organizes supplier responses, supports fair competition, and reduces pricing ambiguity while creating an auditable record for procurement decisions.

Why a Clear RFQ Matters for Procurement

Who Typically Prepares and Responds to an RFQ

Typical participants include purchasing staff, technical requestors, suppliers, and contract reviewers.

  • Procurement/Purchasing teams: Prepare RFQ scope, specs, and supplier list; manage evaluation.
  • Technical or project managers: Define specifications, acceptance criteria, and delivery requirements.
  • Suppliers and vendors: Provide pricing, lead times, compliance statements, and required certifications.

Role clarity speeds review, reduces questions, and improves the comparability of returned quotes.

Core Sections Every Professional RFQ Should Include

A professional RFQ is organized so evaluators can compare offers quickly; include sections for scope, pricing, submission rules, evaluation, and contractual terms.

Cover Page

Identifies issuer, RFQ number, issue date, contact person, and concise scope summary for quick reference by suppliers.

Scope & Specs

Detailed technical or service specifications, required quantities, performance standards, and acceptance criteria to ensure comparable offers.

Pricing Schedule

Itemized price table, unit pricing, total price, taxes, shipping, and any required price break or escalation formulas.

Submission Instructions

Exact due date/time, permitted delivery methods (email, portal, eSignature), required file formats, and contact for questions.

Evaluation Criteria

Weighting or pass/fail criteria, technical conformity requirements, and the decision timetable used to rank responses.

Standard Terms

Payment terms, warranty, confidentiality, compliance certifications, and any special contract conditions that will govern award.

Essential Data Elements to Capture in an RFQ

Issuer Identity: Entity name and contact
RFQ Identifier: Unique number or code
Scope Summary: Concise deliverable statement
Submission Deadline: Date and time required
Evaluation Basis: Scoring or pass/fail rules
Signature Block: Authorized signatory details

Step‑by‑Step: Create and Issue an RFQ

Follow a consistent sequence to prepare, distribute, collect, and evaluate supplier quotes while preserving an audit trail.

  • 01
    Prepare RFQ: Define specifications and evaluation criteria.
  • 02
    Set Deadlines: Establish question cutoff and submission closure.
  • 03
    Distribute: Send electronically or via procurement portal.
  • 04
    Evaluate Offers: Score against criteria and document decisions.

Typical Online Workflow Settings for RFQ Distribution

Configure a digital workflow to ensure consistent authentication, capture responses, and maintain version history for audit purposes.

Field Configuration
Authentication Method Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Notification Template Standard subject and body for invites
Response Capture Structured form fields or attachments
Storage Location Secure cloud folder with retention policy

Where to Send an RFQ and How Responses Flow Back

Select delivery channels that match supplier capability and ensure responses return to a controlled repository with audit metadata.

  • Publish RFQ: Post to procurement portal or email suppliers.
  • Collect Questions: Route queries to the named contact only.
  • Receive Quotes: Capture responses in structured format or attachments.
  • Record Audit Trail: Store timestamps, senders, and file versions.

Technical Requirements for Electronic RFQ Submission

Determine file formats, signer authentication, and integrations before issuing the RFQ to avoid compatibility issues.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX preferred
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or stronger
  • Integrations: CRM and document storage

Typical RFQ Dates and Timing Conventions

Define and publish all dates in one place; include time zone and whether deadlines are firm to prevent disputes.

Issue Date:

Date RFQ is published; starts the question and response windows.

Questions Due:

Final date/time suppliers can submit clarifications.

Submission Deadline:

Exact cut-off for receiving quotes, include time zone.

Evaluation Period:

Window when quotes are reviewed and scored.

Award Notification:

Date by which the chosen supplier will be informed.

Key RFQ Milestones from Issue to Award

A clear milestone sequence helps teams track progress and captures required approvals at each stage of procurement.

01

Publish RFQ

Issue document and notify all invited suppliers.

02

Clarification Window

Accept and answer supplier questions publicly as specified.

03

Close Bids

Close submissions and lock incoming responses.

04

Select Award

Evaluate, document reasons, and notify suppliers.

Common Preparation Errors That Slow RFQ Processing

  • Unclear specifications lead to non‑comparable quotes and scope disputes, increasing evaluation time and procurement risk.
  • Missing submission rules or inconsistent file instructions create late or misfiled responses that may be rejected.
  • Failure to publish a single evaluation rubric permits subjective scoring and yields inconsistent supplier rankings.
  • Not defining permitted communication channels encourages side negotiations and can void competitive fairness.

Risks and Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect RFQ

Bid Protest: Legal challenge risk
Contract Delay: Award and delivery setbacks
Cost Overruns: Unexpected supplier change orders
Confidentiality Breach: Data exposure risk
Regulatory Noncompliance: Procurement rule violations
Recordkeeping Gaps: Evidence absent for audits

eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot for RFQ Workflows

Compare common vendor pricing and capabilities that matter when issuing RFQs electronically; signNow appears first in the table for direct comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Depends on plan Depends on plan Depends on plan

Real‑World Examples of RFQs and Electronic Workflows

Examples show how organizations use digital signatures and structured RFQs to reduce turnaround and maintain compliance.

Optica Ventures

The interface is simple and easy‑to‑use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

  • Suppliers returned complete, comparable quotes in a single format.
  • The firm preserved an audit trail and reduced processing time, improving procurement transparency and supplier response rates.

Martin Properties

I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built‑in security.

  • Field teams signed from mobile devices on site.
  • The company eliminated in‑person collection delays, reduced paper handling, and kept consistent version control across multi‑unit projects.

Common RFQ Questions and Practical Answers

Answers to frequent legal and operational questions about RFQs, electronic signatures, recordkeeping, and vendor communications.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users