RFQ, RFP, rejection, invitation, award, cover, lou, loi letter

Letter of Intent

A letter of intent, commonly known as a LOI can be used by a Purchasing Manager to move a tender result forward. You are ready to take the next step with a vendor or supplier in respect to an offer which has been made and it is usually in response to a formal tender, request for quote or request for proposal your company previously issued.

A LOI, Letter of Understanding (LOU) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) can be used in many different circumstances. A business acquisition, employment offer, supplier services, a contract award only to note just a few. This post or letter of intent relates to procurement and how it can be used in the purchasing arena.

Why or when to issue a LOI? Sometimes these offers are complex by nature and involve large dollar spend so rather than stepping into a formal contract, a letter of intent will be issued to give both parties time to iron out all the little details. (more…)

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Notification of Award Sample Letter

How is a notification of award different from a standard award letter you would issue from a purchasing department?  Basically, they are the same document, they have the same intent and perform the same functions. In this series of posts we are providing sample letters which can be used in the request for quote or request for proposal award process. This letter would be used when you wish to advise a Vendor they have been selected and will be awarded the tender they recently bid on.

Here is a free notification of award sample letter that we use: (more…)

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Rejection Letter

Rejection Letter RFP

A rejection letter is another term used by purchasing personnel as part of the notification process in a post tender scenario. In essence, you are notifying unsuccessful bidders that they will not be awarded your business. It is a respectful and formal way of providing closure. Much like an award letter or how a notification of award is used but unfortunately for the opposite reason. 

They inform all the Vendors of your position in relation to the bid. Issuing an award is the fun or pleasant part of the tender process, completing rejection letters … not so fun. Rejection letters are important and we will do our best to attempt to explain why.

Why is this important?  If you consider the recipients position, manpower and scheduling needs then you can quickly appreciate the importance of  releasing the Vendor if they are not required.  Regardless of whether it is for the supply of materials, manufacturing requirements or service related work, it is still the same. It is both respectful and prudent to efficiently review all bids during the tender process and avoid allowing it to drag out for months on end.

Vendors are partners in your supply chain and they do incur a cost when submitting a bid to your RFQ or RFP. It is a professional courtesy to inform bidders of either an award or rejection and it is important to remain on good terms as you do want them to participate in future tenders of a similar nature. So, a simple rejection letter can go (more…)

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