Glossary
What is a request for proposal (RFP)?
A request for proposal, or RFP, is a formal document a buyer sends to several suppliers, setting out requirements and asking each to propose a solution and a price by a deadline. It is common in larger companies and the public sector. Related forms are the RFI, a request for information, and the RFQ, a request for quotation.
Published by Sellinger AI. Numbers and settings checked on 24 October 2026 against the fact register. Report an error.
How do RFP, RFI and RFQ differ?
| Request | Purpose | What you send back |
|---|---|---|
| RFI | Learn what suppliers exist and can do | Information about your company and approach |
| RFP | Compare solutions against requirements | A proposal with approach, price and terms |
| RFQ | Compare prices for a defined need | A price for a specified item or service |
Should you answer every RFP?
No. An RFP takes real time, and many are written around a supplier the buyer already prefers. Answer when you meet the core requirements, you know someone at the buyer, and the timeline and budget are realistic. A no bid with a polite note keeps the door open for next time.
How does outbound relate to RFPs?
The best time to reach a buyer is before the RFP is written, when you can still shape the requirements. In the Green Shield Logistics campaign, one letter led to a meeting and then an RFQ for 81 pallets within 18 days. The construction and architecture guides cover outreach before tenders.
How Sellinger handles it
Sellinger does not write RFP responses. Its agents can open the conversation before a tender and hand a request for a proposal to a person: the human review rule for pricing and formal proposals in the B2B SDR rule pack flags it.
Common questions
What is the difference between an RFP and a tender?
How long does an RFP response take?
Can you influence an RFP?
Sources and method
General B2B practice. Green Shield figures from its case study. Rule text from the in-product rule catalog.
Related: Proof of concept, Decision maker, Green Shield Logistics, Construction and contractors.
