Request for X (RFx)

RFx means "request for X," where X is a placeholder for a particular type of solicitation. It is shorthand, not a single document or procedure. What an RFx requires of a supplier depends on the solicitation that X represents, such as a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Information (RFI), a Request for Quotation (RFQ), a Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) or a Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA).

In Canadian federal procurement, the CanadaBuys glossary defines RFx as a collective term for solicitation types. These include requests for proposal, information, supply arrangements and standing offers, invitations to qualify, and certain contract notices. Suppliers will see the term in policy language, standard clauses and procurement policies across federal organizations.

What the X stands for in federal documents

Canadian procurement documents do not always expand X the same way. A Government of Canada standard-language page on green procurement uses "Request for X (RFx)" for a standing offer, supply arrangement or proposal. You can see this on the CanadaBuys green procurement page.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) uses the same expansion in its Green Procurement Scorecard, which describes RFx as "Request For X = Standing Offer, Supply Arrangement, or Proposal." The scorecard identifies RFSO, RFSA and RFP as the associated forms.

Solicitation types CanadaBuys groups under RFx

CanadaBuys treats RFx as a category label for the notices it publishes. According to the CanadaBuys glossary, the RFx solicitation types are:

• Requests for proposal (RFP)
• RFPs against a supply arrangement
• Requests for information (RFI)
• Requests for supply arrangement (RFSA)
• Requests for standing offer (RFSO)
• Invitations to qualify (ITQ)
• ACANs
• Directed contracts

Because the category is broad, "RFx" on its own never tells you what a buyer is asking for. The specific notice type does.

RFx in green procurement clauses

The term appears in standard clauses as well as in notice categories. Policy Notification PN-158 uses "Request for X (RFx)" in its mandatory and optional language on environmentally preferable packaging.

A standard clause of this kind requires the bidder, offeror or supplier to meet mandatory environmentally preferable packaging specifications. Those specifications are stated in the Statement of Work or Statement of Requirement. The clause applies to whichever standing offer, supply arrangement or proposal solicitation it is placed in.

How CMHC and NATO use the term

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) uses RFx as a catch-all in its procurement policy. It covers RFI, REOI, RFP, RFQ, RFSO, RFSA, RFT and other documents used to solicit proposals. The policy requires RFx documentation to contain the information suppliers need to prepare and submit responsive bids. A bid must meet the mandatory RFx requirements and any conditions for participation.

NATO works differently. Its NCIA procurement process names specific solicitation methods: Invitation for Bid (IFB), RFQ and RFP. NATO's procurement manual separately defines an RFI as a document governing industry participation in market research. The catch-all use of RFx is a Canadian practice.

What RFx means for a supplier bidding on Canadian public contracts

Start by identifying what X stands for in the notice in front of you. Then follow that solicitation's instructions, mandatory requirements, submission format, deadline and conditions of participation. Bids that miss a mandatory requirement are not responsive.

Do not assume one process applies to every RFx. An RFI, an RFP and an RFSO each carry their own rules, and the notice and its documents set them out. Track the solicitation type as the first field in your bid review.