Government procurement glossary
Short definitions for terms you will see on government solicitations and RFPs.
- RFPRequest for Proposal
- A solicitation scored on criteria like approach, qualifications, and price (not price alone). Common for services, tech, and complex projects.
- IFBInvitation for Bid
- A solicitation awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder that meets the specs. Used when requirements are clear.
- RFQRequest for Quotation
- A request for pricing on a defined good or service, usually for smaller buys. Award is typically on price among responsive quotes.
- Sole source
- A buy without competition because only one supplier can reasonably provide the item. Needs written justification and, above a threshold, board approval.
- Set-aside
- A solicitation limited to a bidder class such as small business, MBE, WBE, VOSB, or 8(a).
- MBE/WBEMinority-owned / Women-owned Business Enterprise
- Certification categories used for participation goals. Many solicitations require a utilization plan for MBE/WBE subcontractors.
- Cooperative purchasing
- Buying off a competitively awarded master contract (cooperative or statewide schedule) so agencies can issue POs without re-bidding. Examples: Sourcewell, OMNIA.
- Pre-qualification
- Vendors submit qualifications ahead of time to bid on a work category. Pre-qualified firms get solicitations when matching needs open.
- Response deadline
- The date and time the buyer must receive the bid. Late bids are usually rejected. Deadlines can move if answers to questions are late.
- Addendum
- A formal change to a solicitation before the deadline. Can change scope, terms, or the deadline. Acknowledge all addenda in the response.
- Award notice
- Public record of who won, including value and dates when known. Posted after evaluation.
- Solicitation number
- The buyer's unique ID for a procurement, used from posting through award.
- NAICS codeNorth American Industry Classification System
- A 6-digit code for the type of work. Buyers use it to filter vendors and set small-business size standards.
- PSCProduct Service Code
- A federal code for the product or service being bought. Common on SAM.gov notices alongside NAICS.
- Place of performance
- Where the work happens or goods are delivered. Used to find local opportunities.
- Bonfire / vendor portal
- An online system (Bonfire, OpenGov, DemandStar, and others) where vendors register, download packages, and upload bids.
- Recompete
- A new competition for work previously held by an incumbent. Often forecast from contract end dates.
- Indefinite delivery / IDIQIndefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity
- A contract that does not guarantee a fixed quantity. The buyer issues task or delivery orders as needs arise.