Invitation for Bids (IFB)

Definition

An Invitation for Bids (IFB) is a solicitation used under sealed bidding procedures (FAR Part 14). Bids are submitted by a deadline, publicly opened, and the contract is awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder with the lowest price. No negotiations occur. IFBs are appropriate only when the requirement is clear, specifications are complete, award can be based on price alone, and adequate competition is expected. They are now relatively rare, since most federal buys use FAR Part 15 negotiated procedures (RFPs).

Why It Matters

When an agency chooses IFB over RFP, it's signaling that it values speed and simplicity over flexibility. For bidders, the calculus is pure: price aggressively within your cost floor. There's no opportunity to differentiate on technical approach. IFBs are most common on commodity, construction, and straightforward commercial-item buys. Misreading an IFB as an RFP is a common early-career mistake that leads to over-investing in technical volumes that don't exist.

Example

A municipality issues an IFB for 250 ruggedized laptops. Eight firms submit bids at the public opening. The lowest responsive bidder at $487K wins the contract on the spot; no technical evaluation, no discussions, no debriefing.

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