ART - Brief Description of Differences Between RFB and RFP 2008

The document provides a comparison between a Request for Bid (RFB) and a Request for Proposal (RFP). It explains that an RFB is used when the buyer knows exactly what they want and can clearly describe it to the supplier, with specifications spelled out. The purpose of an RFB is to determine the cost, and evaluation criteria may be used and stated upfront in the bid document. Negotiations are not allowed in an RFB, and the bids are publicly opened at a specified time and date. On the other hand, an RFP is used when the buyer knows the final outcome but allows the proposer to develop and provide the solution. Evaluation criteria are always used and stated upfront in the bid document, and negotiations are typically allowed. Sometimes an RFP is done in two steps, with separate envelopes for the proposal and pricing. The proposals are evaluated against the criteria, and only the pricing proposals of the RFPs that meet the criteria are opened. The document also mentions that RFPs are often used for bidding on services.