Procurement English is not decoration. Misread one word and you lose on a technicality.

  • EOI — Expression of Interest: show interest and capability
  • RFQ — Request for Quotation: price a relatively clear requirement
  • ITT / IFT — Invitation to Tender: formal competition
  • RFP — Request for Proposal: method, team, solution and price
  • Procuring entity — ministry, council, parastatal or public body
  • Mandatory — fail it and you are usually out
  • Technical / financial proposal — how you work vs what you charge
  • Bid security / performance security — protections before and after award
  • Clarification — formal question before the deadline
  • Addendum — official change; ignore it and lose

Learn the vocabulary once. Then read every document with a pen.