Request for tender
RFT / RFT · Invitation to tender
A request for tender is a formal invitation, common in public and regulated procurement, for suppliers to submit binding offers against defined requirements and a published process.
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Simply put
What it means in ordinary work
It is a formal route to market, often with detailed rules on questions, deadlines and evaluation. The terminology and legal effect vary by jurisdiction and organisation.
Why it matters
The process creates a record of how competition was run and how the award decision was reached. It also gives suppliers a defined opportunity to respond.
A hypothetical in practice
A hypothetical public body publishes an RFT for grounds maintenance with mandatory insurance levels, a pricing schedule and quality questions. The tender rules explain how clarifications and late submissions are handled.
Common pitfalls
An RFT does not create a universal legal procedure by itself. The applicable rules depend on the buyer and jurisdiction.
Ambiguous requirements or undocumented evaluation changes can lead to disputes and poor value.
Regional lens
How this lands where you work
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As-of date for date-sensitive regional content: 5 November 2026. Read the review policy.