Federal Contracting Glossary
Invitation for Bids (IFB)
A sealed-bid solicitation where award goes to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder on price — used when requirements are clearly defined and price is the deciding factor.
Definition
An Invitation for Bids (IFB) is the solicitation used in sealed bidding under FAR Part 14. The government issues a complete, unambiguous specification; bidders submit firm, sealed bids by a set deadline; bids are opened publicly; and award goes to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. There are no negotiations or tradeoffs — price (and price-related factors) decides the award.
Sealed bidding is appropriate when the requirement is well defined, when award can be made on price alone, and when discussions are not necessary. It is most common for construction and standardized supplies. Because there is no opportunity to clarify or revise after bid opening, accuracy and full responsiveness to the specification are essential.
How this affects your proposal
In sealed bidding there is no second chance to explain or revise. Bid a price you can stand behind, confirm full compliance with every line of the specification, and make sure your bid is responsive — a single material deviation can render it nonresponsive.
Common questions about invitation for bids (ifb)
Are IFB bids opened publicly?
Yes — under sealed bidding, bids are opened publicly at the time and place stated in the IFB, and the bid prices are read aloud and recorded.
Can a sealed bid be negotiated?
No. Sealed bidding does not allow discussions or negotiations. If the requirement needs tradeoffs or negotiation, the agency uses a negotiated procurement (RFP) under FAR Part 15 instead.
Related terms
Request for Proposal (RFP)
The formal solicitation an agency issues inviting proposals in a negotiated procurement…
Request for Quotation (RFQ)
A solicitation requesting quotes against a defined requirement, used in simplified acqu…
Simplified Acquisition
A streamlined federal buying process under FAR Part 13 for requirements at or below the…
Writing a proposal that involves invitation for bids (ifb)?
GovCon is the AI proposal-writing tool built specifically for federal offerors. Free plan, no card required.
Start free →See all federal contracting terms in the GovCon glossary, or read our long-form federal contracting guides.