Guide · RFQ
RFQ in logistics: what to include so vendors can quote properly.
A vague request for quotation gets vague rates. A complete one gets comparable bids, faster.
An RFQ (request for quotation) in logistics asks vendors to quote a price for a defined transport job: a single load, or a set of lanes for a period. It differs from an RFP (request for proposal), which asks how a vendor would do the work, and from a tender, the formal process that may contain both.
What a freight RFQ should include
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Origin and destination | Distance and lane |
| Vehicle type and size | 32 ft, trailer, open, closed, reefer |
| Weight and volume | Load factor and vehicle choice |
| Pickup date and time | Availability |
| Return trip, if any | Round-trip pricing |
| Loading and unloading terms | Who loads, detention free time |
| Payment terms | Advance and balance |
| Closing time for quotes | Comparable bids |
| Award rule | Lowest, or lowest with performance |
Common mistakes
- Missing vehicle type, so quotes are not comparable.
- No closing time, so the first quote wins by default.
- No return trip details, so round trips are priced as two one-ways.
- Sending the RFQ to vendors who do not serve the route.
Related: freight bidding platforms, reverse auctions.
How AutoBid does it
AutoBid sends each load, created by hand or synced from the ERP, to the truck owners and brokers you choose on WhatsApp. Bids come back on WhatsApp; reminders go out every 10 minutes as the closing time approaches; if nobody has bid, bidding extends by 30 minutes automatically. The desk awards from bids ranked from lowest, with each vendor’s win rate and status, and the winner is notified on WhatsApp. Bid vs actual, vendor performance and WhatsApp delivery cost are tracked on the same record.
Questions
What is an RFQ in logistics?
A request for quotation asking transport vendors to quote a price for a defined job, such as a load or a set of lanes.
What is the difference between an RFQ and an RFP?
An RFQ asks for a price for a defined job; an RFP asks vendors to propose how they would do the work.
What should a freight RFQ include?
Origin and destination, vehicle type, weight and volume, pickup time, return trip, loading terms, payment terms, the closing time and the award rule.
See it on your own data. AutoBid sends every load to your owners and brokers on WhatsApp, ranks the bids and keeps each vendor’s record. Book a 30-minute working session with an engineer.