2.4. Step 3 - Selecting the Solicitation Method

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In this step, the procurement professional must identify the best solicitation method. Solicitations are used by state entities to solicit offers from suppliers to sell goods or services. A solicitation may be cancelled by the state entity at any time and should not be construed as an order by the state entity to make any purchase or other commitment.

Approved solicitation methods are limited to Requests for Quotes (RFQ), Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Qualified Contractors (RFQC), and Reverse Auctions. With the exception of reverse auctions and informal pricing requests for purchases less than $25,000, all solicitation methods are conducted through a formal sealed bidding process. In the formal sealed bidding process, suppliers’ submitted offers are kept confidential and not opened by the state entity until after the solicitation has closed.