RFQ vs tender: what is the difference?
Updated 26 Oct 2026 · 3 minute read
Government buys smaller amounts with a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and bigger amounts with an open competitive tender. National Treasury sets the value limits, and they change from time to time; the RFQ or tender document always says which process applies.
RFQs
- Usually smaller amounts.
- Shorter documents and shorter closing times (often a week or less).
- Often sent to suppliers on the CSD, and also published on eTenders.
- A good way to get your first government work and build references.
Open tenders
- Bigger contracts, published on eTenders and sometimes in the Government Tender Bulletin.
- Longer documents, often with a functionality score and a compulsory briefing.
- Usually open for at least 21 days, so you have more time to prepare.
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Questions
Do I need to be on the CSD for RFQs?
Yes. Buyers normally only accept quotations from suppliers registered on the Central Supplier Database.
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