Invitation for Bid (IFB)
A sealed-bid solicitation where award goes to the lowest responsible bidder meeting the agency's specifications.
Definition
An Invitation for Bid (IFB), sometimes called an Invitation to Bid (ITB), is a procurement solicitation in which the agency provides detailed specifications and bidders submit sealed price bids. Award goes to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder — meaning the bidder who submitted the lowest price AND who meets all of the agency's responsibility criteria (financial capacity, technical capability, past performance). Unlike an RFP, there is no scoring of technical approach; either you meet the spec or you don't. IFBs are used at the federal level under FAR Part 14 (Sealed Bidding) and are common for construction projects and well-defined commodity purchases.
When it applies
IFBs are used when (1) the agency can write a detailed, unambiguous specification, (2) two or more responsible vendors are expected to compete, (3) the agency wants the award to depend primarily on price, and (4) there is no need to discuss the offer with vendors after they submit. Construction is the most common IFB application — the drawings and specs define exactly what's to be built, and bidders compete on price.
Examples
- "IFB for the construction of a new water treatment plant" — full plans and specifications attached; lowest responsible bidder wins.
- "IFB for replacement of HVAC units in five buildings" — exact units specified, agency wants the cheapest installer.