Competitive Bidding

Depending on the value of the procurement action, methods of solicitation may include:

• Request for Quotation (RFQ)

A RFQ is an informal invitation to submit a quotation for a solicitation below a certain procurement value. Prices and other commercial terms and conditions are requested and an award is usually made to the lowest priced technically compliant offer.

• Request for Proposal (RFP)

A RFP is a formal request to submit a proposal against requirements that are over the minimum procurement value but that are not fully definable at the time of solicitation and where the innovation and specific expertise of the proposer is sought to better meet the procurement requirement. Price is only one of several factors comprising the evaluation criteria, which are determined before the request for proposal is released. A two-envelope system is used, with technical evaluation completed before commercial offers of technically compliant proposals are opened. An award is made to the offer that substantially conforms to the requirements set forth in the solicitation documents and that is evaluated to be the best value to the United Nations.

• Invitation to Bid (ITB)

An ITB is a formal invitation to submit a bid, and is usually associated with requirements that are clearly or concisely defined and that are over a minimum procurement value. Price is normally the sole determinant in the making of an award. Where all technical criteria are met, an award is made to the lowest bid.

Expression of Interest

A Request for expression of interest is an advertisement of forthcoming Solicitation in order to identify Vendors that wish to receive the Solicitation Documents. Requests for Expressions of Interest are published periodically on the UNICRI website under the  Procurement section and give an opportunity for interested companies to obtain information about relevant products and services that may shortly be solicited.