invitation to tender

USAGE SUMMARY

'invitation to tender' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when inviting people to submit a bid to supply goods or services. For example, "The school is issuing an invitation to tender for a new school bus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Lower level suppliers are usually involved in the product development through a tendering process: in the invitation to tender (ITT), the requirements are already defined at a quite detailed level.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

But the invitation to tender, the key document on which the contracts will be based, is still being drawn up.

The Guardian

The government has issued a selection of suppliers with invitation to tender (ITT) documents for its £25m identity assurance programme.

The Guardian

Also peculiar, according to critics, is the way in which the invitation to tender makes no reference to the desire or requirement for a garden bridge.

The Guardian - Arts

However, the invitation to tender for Great Western is due just weeks before the election is called – potentially allowing an incoming Labour government to void the competition.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland's government has published an invitation to tender for voice and data communications services, including related hardware, software, maintenance and support services, worth between £5m and £20m.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"When you look at the invitations to tender in these franchises, they are encouraging, exciting and challenging for the franchise industry," he said.

The Guardian

The cabinet of the Conservative-Independent led council approved plans in July to put out invitations to tender.

BBC

Reliability and maintainability requirements appear in both military and civil engineering contracts and clauses specifying reliability and maintainability are included in invitations to tender.

Reliability, Maintainability and Risk Practical Methods for Engineers including Reliability Centred Maintenance and Safety-Related Systems

The go-ahead has been given by senior members of the Conservative-Independent led council for invitations to tender.

BBC

Two rail franchises have been opened up to bidders, the first invitations to tender since the fiasco of the West Coast franchise contract last year.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting an "invitation to tender", clearly define the scope of work, evaluation criteria, and submission deadlines to ensure you receive relevant and competitive bids.

Common error

Ensure your "invitation to tender" uses precise and unambiguous language to prevent misunderstandings and ensure all bidders are on the same page.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invitation to tender" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a formal request for suppliers to submit bids for providing goods or services. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "invitation to tender" is a common and grammatically correct term used to formally request bids from suppliers for goods or services. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When drafting or responding to an "invitation to tender", clarity and precision are crucial to ensure a fair and effective procurement process. Consider using related phrases like "request for tenders" or "call for bids" for stylistic variation while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request for tenders

This alternative is a synonym with slightly more emphasis on the action of requesting.

call for bids

This alternative is a more direct and concise way of asking for submissions.

tender invitation

This alternative reverses the order of words, maintaining the same meaning.

invitation to bid

This alternative uses "bid" instead of "tender", but still conveys the same general meaning.

procurement notice

This alternative is a broader term that includes the "invitation to tender" but also covers other aspects of the procurement process.

request for proposal

This alternative is specifically used when the solicitation requires more than just a price, but also a detailed plan.

solicitation for offers

This alternative is a formal way of requesting proposals or bids.

notice to contractors

This alternative specifically targets contractors and informs them of bidding opportunities.

bidding document

This alternative focuses on the document itself that invites tenders.

tender documents

This alternative focuses on the documents required for the tendering process.

FAQs

What is the difference between an "invitation to tender" and a "request for proposal"?

An "invitation to tender" primarily focuses on price, while a "request for proposal" (RFP) considers various factors, including technical expertise and innovative solutions.

How do I respond to an "invitation to tender"?

Carefully review the requirements outlined in the "invitation to tender", prepare a comprehensive bid that addresses all criteria, and submit it before the specified deadline.

What information should be included in an "invitation to tender"?

An "invitation to tender" should include a clear description of the project, evaluation criteria, submission guidelines, deadlines, and contact information for inquiries.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "invitation to tender"?

You can use alternatives such as "request for tenders", "call for bids", or "procurement notice" depending on the context.