Bid Documents
The complete set of materials issued to request information, price quotes, or formal proposals from potential sellers.
Key Points
- Includes items such as RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, statements of work, specifications, and evaluation criteria.
- Designed to obtain clear, comparable, and complete responses from prospective vendors.
- Used during procurement to communicate requirements, instructions, timelines, and terms.
- Well-written bid documents reduce ambiguity, rework, and procurement risk.
Example
A project manager for a data center build issues a bid package containing the technical specifications, drawings, a pricing template, schedule milestones, contract terms, and scoring criteria. Electrical contractors use this package to prepare and submit their bids.
PMP Example Question
During Conduct Procurements, the team prepares instructions to bidders, technical specifications, a pricing form, and evaluation criteria. What are these collectively called?
- Procurement management plan
- Bid documents
- Make-or-buy analysis
- Work performance data
Correct Answer: B — Bid documents
Explanation: These materials are the solicitation package used to request information, quotations, or proposals from potential sellers.