RFQ

RFQ commonly refers to a Request for Quote, a purchasing document or sourcing request used to ask one or more suppliers for pricing and related commercial details for defined goods or services. It is typically used when the buyer can describe the requirement clearly enough for suppliers to quote against a known scope, quantity, specification, or part list.

In manufacturing and regulated operations, an RFQ often includes part numbers, drawings or revisions, quantities, delivery expectations, quality requirements, approved process needs, and commercial terms to be quoted. It may be managed in ERP, procurement, supplier portal, PLM-linked sourcing workflows, or email-based purchasing processes.

What it includes and excludes

An RFQ is mainly about obtaining a price and quote conditions for a defined requirement. It may also collect lead time, minimum order quantity, tooling cost, packaging details, and exceptions to requirements.

It is not the same as a purchase order. An RFQ requests information from suppliers, while a purchase order is commonly used to authorize a purchase. It is also not the same as a general supplier qualification or audit process, although supplier approval status may affect who receives the RFQ.

How it appears in operations

• A buyer sends an RFQ for machined parts based on a controlled drawing revision.

• A contract manufacturer issues an RFQ to outside processors for plating, heat treatment, or special processing.

• A sourcing team compares RFQ responses for price, lead time, and compliance with specification requirements before issuing a purchase order or contract.

Common confusion

RFQ vs. RFP: An RFP, or Request for Proposal, is commonly used when the buyer needs a broader solution, approach, or technical proposal, not just a quote for a well-defined requirement.

RFQ vs. RFI: An RFI, or Request for Information, is generally used earlier to gather market or supplier information before formal quoting.

RFQ vs. PO: A PO, or purchase order, is the actual buying document, not the request for pricing.

Other meaning sometimes seen

In some technical contexts, RFQ can also mean radio-frequency quadrupole, a device used in particle accelerator systems. That meaning is not the usual one in manufacturing procurement and enterprise operations.