RFP, RFQ, RFI, tender, standing offer, ACAN: the notice types explained

The three or four letters at the top of a notice tell you how the buyer will decide, how much work a response is, and sometimes whether there is a contract at all. Here is what each means in Canadian public procurement, in the order you will meet them.

RFP — Request for Proposals

The buyer describes a need and asks you to propose how you would meet it. Proposals are scored against published criteria — approach, experience, team, price — and the highest score wins, not the lowest price. Expect mandatory requirements that knock you out if missed, then point-rated criteria. RFPs take the most effort and are where a good proposal beats a cheap one. Open RFPs in Canada.

RFQ — Request for Quotation

The buyer knows exactly what it wants — a quantity of a specified good, a defined service — and asks for a price. The lowest compliant quote usually wins. Fast to answer, and common for purchases under the trade-agreement thresholds. Open RFQs.

RFT / ITT — Request for Tender, Invitation to Tender

A sealed-bid competition for defined work, most often construction. Bids are opened together after closing; the lowest compliant bid is awarded. Bid bonds and insurance are the norm, and a late bid is not opened. Open tenders.

RFI — Request for Information

Market research: the buyer asks the industry what exists, what it costs and how it is bought, before writing a competition. There is no contract at the end of an RFI — but the vendors who answer shape the requirement that follows, and get on the list that hears about it. Open RFIs.

RFSO / RFSA — Standing offers and supply arrangements

A standing offer pre-qualifies suppliers at agreed prices; buyers then issue call-ups as needed, for a year or several, without a new competition. A supply arrangement is the federal variant with a mini-competition per call-up. Winning one is a door that stays open. Open standing-offer competitions.

EOI / RFEOI / pre-qualification

The buyer asks who is interested and able, shortlists, and sends the full competition only to the shortlist. Miss the EOI and you may not see the RFP. Open EOIs.

ACAN — Advance Contract Award Notice

A federal buyer announces it intends to award to one named supplier without a competition, and gives the market a window — usually 15 days — to object. A vendor who submits a statement of capabilities that stands up forces an open competition. Rare, but worth watching in your niche. Open ACANs.

Which ones should a small business chase?

RFQs and tenders in your trade first: short responses, clear decisions, quick feedback. Standing offers next, because one win pays for years. RFPs when the scoring criteria favour what you are good at. Answer RFIs in your specialty when you can spare an afternoon; they are how buyers learn your name. EveryBid labels every notice with its type and lets you filter by it on All bids.