Writing & StyleStyle guide

RFQ Meaning in Business Writing

RFQ means request for quotation. In procurement writing, it is used to solicit quotations or pricing against stated requirements; the exact process and contractual effect depend on the procurement regime.

Quick answer

RFQ means “request for quotation.”

Key details

Core IssueRFQ means request for quotation; it asks suppliers to provide quotations against stated requirements.
Phrase Roleprocurement-shorthand
Registerbusiness, procurement, legal, technical, and professional writing as context requires

Important caveats

Usage Boundary

Do not silently substitute RFQ for RFP or RFI; each label signals a different procurement purpose.

Further guidance

Distinguish From

Do not use RFQ as a generic label for every supplier request. An RFP asks for proposals, while an RFI is used to gather information; the procurement framework determines the exact process.

Example

“We issued an RFQ for the specified equipment and requested itemized pricing by Friday.” The abbreviation is doing procurement-specific work rather than acting as a generic synonym for “request.”

Meaning

RFQ means “request for quotation.”

When To Use

Use “RFQ” when the document is specifically a request for suppliers to quote or price stated requirements; spell out “request for quotation” on first use when the audience may not know the abbreviation.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. FAR 8.405-2 — Services requiring a statement of work (opens in a new tab)Acquisition.gov / Federal Acquisition Regulation · Federal procurement requirements for RFQs and statements of work

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