SF 18. Request for Quotation
Form SF 18, also known as Request for Quotation, is a form used by federal agencies to solicit quotes from vendors for supplies or services. The main purpose of the form is to obtain competitive prices from vendors for a specific product or service.
The form consists of several parts, including the solicitation information, the vendor information, and the product or service information. The most important fields include the solicitation number, the vendor's name and address, and the product or service description.
The parties involved include the federal agency issuing the solicitation and the vendors submitting quotes. It is important to consider the terms and conditions of the solicitation carefully when compiling the form, as well as any additional requirements or documents that may be required.
When compiling the form, data such as the product or service description, quantity, and delivery date will be required. Additional documents that may need to be attached include pricing schedules, technical specifications, and certifications.
Examples of application and use cases include federal agencies seeking quotes for office supplies, construction projects, or IT services. The benefits of using this form include obtaining competitive prices from vendors and ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations. However, challenges and risks may include receiving incomplete or inaccurate quotes, or potential conflicts of interest with vendors.
Related forms include Form SF 1449, which is used for soliciting bids for contracts, and Form SF 33, which is used for soliciting offers for supplies or services. Alternative forms may include state or local government procurement forms.
The form affects the future of the participants by potentially leading to a contract award for the vendor with the most competitive quote. Once completed, the form is submitted through the federal agency's procurement system, and instances are stored electronically in the agency's contract management system.