eRFx(s)

e-RFx is the generic name given to the following three eSourcing tools which each serve a distinct purpose:

• e-RFi (Request for Information)

The request upon potential vendors to provide information relating to the products / services they support. Responses are usually scored, either automatically or manually, and short listed suppliers proceed to the next stage of the process.

• e-RFQ (Request for Quotation)

Short listed suppliers are required to submit a quotation for
delivering against a specification / set of requirements

• e-RFP (Request for Proposal)

The e-RFP is a combination of the an e-RFi and e-RFq and is often used when the supply base is well understood and there is no need for short listing or time is short.


The functionality of an e-RFx solution varies considerably,
particularly in how it integrates with the rest of the eSourcing solution and the level of transparency it provides. Listed below are just some of the features from different providers:

• The ability to commence the eSourcing process with an e-RFi
and then transfer to an e-RFQ seamlessly once the short listed suppliers have been selected

• Allow vendors and stakeholders to view and to provide comments on an e-RFx whilst it is in circulation. This capability allows the Buyer to keep vendor details confidential whilst allowing the vendors to exchange potentially relevant information

• To transfer the details from an e-RFQ seamlessly straight into an eAuction

• To allow the vendors to see all the quotation responses from other vendors, although their identity remains anonymous

• To weight the responses in an e-RFi and to use this in a Reverse Auction to establish the total cost of doing business with a potential vendor

• The ability to use standard templates based on category groupings