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Procurement and RFQs

RFQ (Request for Quotation)

A formal request asking selected or eligible suppliers to provide prices and commercial terms for specified goods or services. In maritime procurement, the concept helps buyers and providers define, price, compare and authorize operational requirements.

What an RFQ asks for

  • An RFQ asks for a price against a scope that is already defined.
  • Comparable quotes depend on a comparable request, so structure matters more than length.
  • In maritime it is used per port call and per service, often under time pressure.

RFQ stands for Request for Quotation.

A formal request asking selected or eligible suppliers to provide prices and commercial terms for specified goods or services.

In maritime procurement, the concept helps buyers and providers define, price, compare and authorize operational requirements. The exact meaning may vary with the contract, jurisdiction, port practice or workflow in which it is used.

What an RFQ has to state

Element
Why it is there
The scope
What is being priced: the service, the quantity, and the specification. Without it, providers price different assumptions and the replies cannot be compared.
The place
The port, terminal or anchorage where the work happens. Rates, availability and local practice all turn on it.
The timing
When the work is needed, usually tied to the vessel’s ETA and ETD. This affects both the price and who is able to take it.
The vessel
Which ship the work is for, where the request is tied to a port call. Size, type and draft change what a service costs.
The deadline
When quotes close, so replies are weighed together rather than in order of arrival.
The terms sought
What the buyer wants quoted beyond price: currency, validity, payment terms, and what is included or excluded.
RFQs in PortzApp

One brief, quotes that line up

In PortzApp an RFQ carries the services, the port call context and a deadline, so every provider quotes against the same brief and the replies can be read side by side.

How requests and RFQs work
FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions we get about RFQ.

What does RFQ mean?
A formal request asking selected or eligible suppliers to provide prices and commercial terms for specified goods or services.
What does RFQ stand for?
RFQ stands for Request for Quotation.
Does an RFQ commit the buyer to anything?
No. It asks for pricing. The commitment comes when a quote is accepted.
How many providers should receive an RFQ?
Enough to give a real comparison. Three to five is common practice, though an open request can reach every eligible provider in the market.