When the government is merely checking into the possibility of acquiring a product or service, it may issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

An RFQ may also be used when the government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of the solicitation but wishes to obtain price, delivery, or other information for planning purposes.

Requests for Quotations (RFQs) may be used in negotiated procurements to communicate government requirements to prospective contractors. A quotation received in response to an RFQ is not an offer, and consequently, cannot be accepted by the government to create a binding contract.

The order is an offer by the government to the supplier to buy certain supplies or services upon specified terms and conditions. A contract is established when a supplier accepts the offer.

After reviewing the various quotations received on the proposed purchase, the contracting officer may negotiate further with the firms that have submitted acceptable proposals to assure the contract most advantageous to the government.