Question

Differentiate between a request for information, request for proposal, and request for quotation, and describe the utility of each in the hospital purchasing process.

Answer 1

The request to information(RTF) is used to gather information from various sources before sourcing products and services. This is generally done by making a database of the information about the various factors that satisfies the requirements. In the hospital purchasing process RTF helps to find information regarding the suppliers, facilities, market trends, factors driving change, pricing etc.

Request to proposal( RTP) is refered to as recieving proposals from the suppliers with whom a partnership is being considered. The proposal contains all the informaion that the purchaser requires so that an effective purchasing decision can be made. In hospital purchasing decision as well the proposal will contain the basic information about the hospital and the processes, facilities, technology and other aspects, performance measure as well as feedback system, commercial requirement, budget etc.

The Request to quotation(RTQ) comes along with the RTF. The RTQ is submitted with the RTF in which the vendors are asked to present a coprehensive price quote for the completion of the proposal. It generally contains the payment terms, contract length etc.