Find out how the government finds suppliers of goods and services

We use a number of different ways to find the right suppliers of goods and services for projects. These are some of the most common procurement methods.

Jump to the procurement method you want to learn more about.

Request for expression of interest (RFEI)

We use this to get more information about the market for a particular good or service.

This is a form of market research. It helps us better understand the business capacity to respond to a possible future procurement.

An RFEI gives you the chance to say you're interested in competing for this work if it comes up in the future.

This is not a legally binding agreement or a promise of a contract.

Request for information (RFI)

We use this to get more information about a good or service. It helps us define requirements before moving to the competitive stage of procurement.

This is a form of market research. Your response to an RFI helps educate and shape the solutions a department may need in the future.

An RFI gives you the opportunity to review and comment on the requirements for work if it comes up in the future.

This is not a legally binding agreement or a promise of a contract.

Request for proposals (RFP)

We use this when we:

  • need a supplier to propose a solution to a problem, need or objective; and
  • where the decision is not based on price only.

An RFP describes:

  • the project;
  • the requirements;
  • what information you need to give to the government; and
  • how your proposal should be formatted.

An RFP includes criteria which will be used to evaluate your proposal, such as:

  • experience;
  • skills; and
  • expertise.

Some criteria are more important than others. These are weighted or scored accordingly, for example:

  • your proposed method may be worth 25 per cent; and
  • experience may be worth 10 per cent.
  • In your proposal you will need to show how you can:
  • meet the requirements; and
  • fulfil the criteria.

We often ask for a proposed methodology and price.

The contract for the project will be given to the supplier whose proposal best:

  • meets the requirements;
  • fulfils the criteria; and
  • offers the highest overall value.
     

Request for qualifications (RFQ)

We use this to create lists of pre-qualified suppliers to bid on future opportunities. Your submission is evaluated against the evaluation criteria.

You'll describe your skills, experience and qualifications.

Submitting a successful RFQ means you're eligible to be invited to bid:

  • in the next procurement stage; or
  • when a relevant project comes up.

An RFQ can be the 1st step in the procurement process. It's not a legally binding agreement or a promise of a contract.

Request for bids (RFB)

We use this for goods and services. Most RFBs are related to construction services.

An RFB:

  • describes the work to be done; and
  • asks for pricing for specific parts of the work.

This is a price-driven tender. The supplier is awarded a contract for the project if:

  • they give the lowest price; and
  • their bid is technically acceptable.

Invitational Request for Bids (IRFB)

An invitational request for bids is used for simple, low-risk procurement where price is the only evaluation criteria:

  • goods procurement up to $30,300; or
  • services procurement up to a $121,200

This request will not be advertised publicly. We directly invite at least 2 suppliers. Any interested supplier can request to:

  • receive a copy of the tender documents; and
  • be included in the tendering process. 

Requirements are described in a fill-in-the-blank form.

The contract is awarded to the supplier whose quote is:

  • the lowest total price;
  • compliant with bid submission requirements; and
  • technically acceptable.

Invitational Request for Proposal (IRFP)

We use IRFPs for simple, low-risk procurement:

  • for services or construction up to $121,200; and
  • where the decision is not solely based on price.

IRFPs are not advertised publicly. We directly invite at least 2 suppliers. Any interested supplier can request to:

  • receive a copy of the tender documents; and
  • be included in the tendering process. 

The contract is awarded to the supplier whose proposal best:

  • meets the requirements;
  • fulfils the criteria; and
  • offers the highest overall value.

Supplier directory

We maintain a directory of individuals and businesses that want to do business with us. It includes:

  • contractors;
  • suppliers of goods or services; and
  • consultants.

Search the supplier directory

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Date modified: 2026-01-20