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IFB versus RFP

Invitation for Bids (IFB) and  Request for Proposals (RFP) are different in the following ways:

IFB:
IFB is the preferred method for acquiring goods and nonprofessional services for the University.  The goods or services to be procured must be capable of being described, so that bids submitted against the description in the IFB and an award, can be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.  Competitive sealed bidding includes the issuance of a written IFB containing the specifications or scope of work/purchase description and the contractual terms and conditions applicable to the procurement.  IFBs must describe the requirements accurately and completely.  Unnecessarily restrictive specifications or terms and conditions that unduly limit competition must be avoided.  In the competitive sealed bid process, bids are publicly opened and read aloud.  The bids are evaluated based upon the requirements set forth in the IFB, and an award is made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

RFP:
A determination must be made in advance by the University and set forth in writing, that competitive sealed bidding (IFB) is either not practicable or not fiscally advantageous to the University.  The document is signed by the Vice President for Administration and Finance as the justification for use of the Request for Proposals (RFP) method of procuring goods or services and is retained in the procurement file.  An RFP is issued to describe in general terms that which is to be procured.  The RFP will list the specific requirements to be addressed by the offerors, which will be used to evaluate the proposals and will contain other applicable contractual terms and conditions.


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Materiel Management
Bristow Hall
201 High Street
Farmville, VA 23909
tel:  434-395-2093
fax:  434-395-2246   trs:  711