Request for qualifications
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A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is a step sometimes used in the formal process of procuring a product or service, for example by a government agency. It is typically used as a screening step to establish a pool of vendors (businesses or individuals to provide a product or service) that are then qualified, and thus eligible to to submit responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP)[1][2]. In this two-step process, the response to the RFQ will describe the company or individual's general qualifications to perform a service or supply a product but generally will not include specific details or price proposals.
Benefits of including a Request for Qualifications step
For the procurer, an RFQ provides a pre-screening step, so at the request for proposal phase there are fewer proposals to evaluate.[3] The Request for Qualifications thus becomes a means by which the purchasing agency can add vendors to their select sellers list, ie list of vendors eligible to bid.[4]
For the respondent, they do not spend the time and effort to write a full proposal only to find out they were not qualified as a firm.
In some jurisdictions, the RFQ is a required step for some types of procurement.[5]
Confusion with Request for Quotation
The Request for Qualifications should not be confused with a Request for Quotation, a different vendor-selection process with the same acronym. See RFQ.
References
- ^ http://www.artscapediy.org/Creative-Placemaking-Toolbox/How-Do-I-Select-and-Contract-Specialists-and-Servi/What-is-a-RFQ-and-How-Do-I-Use-One.aspx
- ^ http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/services-for-government/bc-bid-resources/how-to-buy-services/procurement-process/pre-award/prepare-solicitation-documents/request-for-qualifications
- ^ http://www.artscapediy.org/Creative-Placemaking-Toolbox/How-Do-I-Select-and-Contract-Specialists-and-Servi/What-is-a-RFQ-and-How-Do-I-Use-One.aspx#when_rfq
- ^ Chapter 9 - Procurement and Contracts http://library.books24x7.com/viewer.asp?bookid=86112&chunkid=340200216&rowid=470&refid=MS5LI The Project Management Answer Book, 2nd Edition by Jeff Furman Management Concepts (c) 2015 9781567264463
- ^ http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/incode/5/30/5