Procurement and RFQs
RFQ (Request for Quotation)
A formal request asking selected or eligible suppliers to provide prices and commercial terms for specified goods or services. In maritime procurement, the concept helps buyers and providers define, price, compare and authorize operational requirements.
What an RFQ asks for
An RFQ asks for a price against a scope that is already defined.
Comparable quotes depend on a comparable request, so structure matters more than length.
In maritime it is used per port call and per service, often under time pressure.
RFQ stands for Request for Quotation.
A formal request asking selected or eligible suppliers to provide prices and commercial terms for specified goods or services.
In maritime procurement, the concept helps buyers and providers define, price, compare and authorize operational requirements. The exact meaning may vary with the contract, jurisdiction, port practice or workflow in which it is used.
What an RFQ has to state
Element
The scope
Why it is there
What is being priced: the service, the quantity, and the specification. Without it, providers price different assumptions and the replies cannot be compared.
Element
The place
Why it is there
The port, terminal or anchorage where the work happens. Rates, availability and local practice all turn on it.
Element
The timing
Why it is there
When the work is needed, usually tied to the vessel’s ETA and ETD. This affects both the price and who is able to take it.
Element
The vessel
Why it is there
Which ship the work is for, where the request is tied to a port call. Size, type and draft change what a service costs.
Element
The deadline
Why it is there
When quotes close, so replies are weighed together rather than in order of arrival.
Element
The terms sought
Why it is there
What the buyer wants quoted beyond price: currency, validity, payment terms, and what is included or excluded.
RFQs in PortzApp
One brief, quotes that line up
In PortzApp an RFQ carries the services, the port call context and a deadline, so every provider quotes against the same brief and the replies can be read side by side.
FAQ
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