Quotation vs. Tender — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 15, 2024
A quotation is a formal statement of price for goods or services, while a tender is an offer to perform work or supply goods at a fixed price, typically in response to a request.
Difference Between Quotation and Tender
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A quotation is a document provided by a seller to a potential buyer outlining the cost for specific goods or services. It typically includes itemized pricing, terms of sale, and a validity period. Quotations are usually given upon request and are often used in one-time transactions. A tender, on the other hand, is a formal bid submitted by a supplier in response to a request for tender (RFT) from a buyer, often in a public or competitive setting. The tender process involves suppliers competing to win a contract by offering the best terms, price, and quality.
While quotations are more informal and flexible, tenders are part of a structured procurement process and are legally binding. Quotations can be quickly generated for immediate needs, whereas tenders require detailed documentation and adherence to specific submission guidelines.
Quotations are typically used in smaller-scale transactions or for regular customers, where the buyer seeks a quick pricing estimate. Tenders are used for larger projects, often in public sector or large private sector procurement, requiring detailed proposals and competitive pricing.
A quotation’s primary purpose is to inform the buyer of the cost, allowing them to make an immediate purchasing decision. A tender’s primary purpose is to facilitate a competitive bidding process to ensure the best value for the buyer, often resulting in long-term contracts.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Provide a price estimate
Submit a bid for a contract
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Usage
Informal, smaller transactions
Formal, large-scale procurement
Process
Quick and flexible
Structured and competitive
Legal Binding
Not typically legally binding
Legally binding upon acceptance
Documentation
Simple, itemized pricing
Detailed proposals, compliance with RFT
Compare with Definitions
Quotation
A statement of price for goods or services.
The company provided a quotation for the new software installation.
Tender
A formal offer to supply goods or services at a fixed price.
The company submitted a tender for the government project.
Quotation
An estimate of costs given by a seller.
The quotation for the repairs was more affordable than expected.
Tender
A legally binding offer upon acceptance.
Winning the tender meant committing to the project timeline and budget.
Quotation
A formal document with pricing details.
I received a quotation from the contractor for the renovation project.
Tender
Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection
She covered his face with tender kisses
He was being so kind and tender
Quotation
A specific price offered to a potential buyer.
The quotation for the custom furniture was valid for 30 days.
Tender
(of food) easy to cut or chew; not tough
Tender green beans
Quotation
A detailed list of costs associated with a purchase.
The quotation included all materials and labor charges.
Tender
(of a part of the body) sensitive to pain
The pale, tender skin of her forearm
Quotation
A quotation is the repetition of a sentence, phrase, or passage from speech or text that someone has said or written. In oral speech, it is the representation of an utterance (i.e.
Tender
Young, inexperienced, or vulnerable
He started sailing at the tender age of ten
Quotation
The act of quoting.
Tender
(of a ship) leaning or readily inclined to roll in response to the wind.
Quotation
A passage quoted.
Tender
Offer or present (something) formally
He tendered his resignation as leader
Quotation
An explicit reference or allusion in an artistic work to a passage or element from another, usually well-known work
"Direct quotations from other paintings are fairly sparse" (Robert Hughes).
Tender
An offer to carry out work, supply goods, or buy land, shares, or another asset at a stated fixed price
Being government land, it was sold by tender
We invited tenders for up to three more frigates
A minimum tender price
Quotation
The quoting of current prices and bids for securities and goods.
Tender
A vehicle used by a fire service for carrying specified supplies or equipment or fulfilling a specified role
Three fire engines, including an emergency tender, attended the scene
Quotation
The prices or bids cited.
Tender
A dinghy or other boat used to ferry people and supplies to and from a ship.
Quotation
A fragment of a human expression that is repeated by somebody else, for example from literature or a famous speech.
Tender
A trailing vehicle closely coupled to a steam locomotive to carry fuel and water.
Quotation
A price that has been quoted for buying or selling.
Let's get a quotation for repairing the roof before we decide whether it's worth doing.
Tender
A person who looks after someone else or a machine or place
Alexei signalled to one of the engine tenders
Quotation
The act of setting a price.
Tender
Easily crushed or bruised; fragile
A tender petal.
Quotation
(obsolete) A quota, a share.
Tender
Easily chewed or cut
Tender beef.
Quotation
The act of quoting or citing.
Tender
Young and vulnerable
Of tender age.
Quotation
That which is quoted or cited; a part of a book or writing named, repeated, or adduced as evidence or illustration.
Tender
Frail; delicate.
Quotation
The naming or publishing of the current price of stocks, bonds, or any commodity; also, the price named.
Tender
Sensitive to frost or severe cold; not hardy
Tender green shoots.
Quotation
Quota; share.
Tender
Easily hurt; sensitive
Tender skin.
Quotation
A piece of hollow type metal, lower than type, and measuring two or more pica ems in length and breadth, used in the blank spaces at the beginning and end of chapters, etc.
Tender
Painful; sore
A tender tooth.
Quotation
A short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage;
The student's essay failed to list several important citations
The acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book
The article includes mention of similar clinical cases
Tender
Considerate and protective; solicitous
A tender mother.
His tender concern.
Quotation
A passage or expression that is quoted or cited
Tender
Characterized by or expressing gentle emotions; loving
A tender glance.
A tender ballad.
Quotation
A statement of the current market price of a security or commodity
Tender
Given to sympathy or sentimentality; soft
A tender heart.
Quotation
The practice of quoting from books or plays etc.;
Since he lacks originality he must rely on quotation
Tender
(Nautical) Likely to heel easily under sail; crank.
Tender
To make tender.
Tender
To offer formally
Tender a letter of resignation.
Tender
(Law) To offer (payment or performance) pursuant to an obligation.
Tender
A strip of meat, usually chicken, often breaded, deep-fried, and served with a sauce.
Tender
(Law) An offer to pay the amount due under a debt or obligation.
Tender
A written offer to contract goods or services at a specified cost or rate; a bid.
Tender
Something, especially money, offered in payment.
Tender
One who tends something
A lathe tender.
Tender
(Nautical) A vessel attendant on other vessels, especially one that ferries supplies between ship and shore.
Tender
A railroad car attached to the rear of a locomotive and designed to carry fuel and water.
Tender
Sensitive or painful to the touch.
Tender
Easily bruised or injured; not firm or hard; delicate.
Tender plants; tender flesh; tender fruit
Tender
Physically weak; not able to endure hardship.
Tender
(of food) Soft and easily chewed.
Tender
Sensible to impression and pain; easily pained.
Tender
Fond, loving, gentle, or sweet.
Suzanne was such a tender mother to her children.
Tender
Young and inexperienced.
Tender
Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic.
Tender expressions; tender expostulations; a tender strain
Tender
Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate.
A tender subject
Tender
(nautical) Heeling over too easily when under sail; said of a vessel.
Tender
(obsolete) Exciting kind concern; dear; precious.
Tender
(obsolete) Careful to keep inviolate, or not to injure; used with of.
Tender
(obsolete) Care, kind concern, regard.
Tender
The inner flight muscle (pectoralis minor) of poultry.
Tender
(obsolete) Someone who tends or waits on someone.
Tender
(rail transport) A railroad car towed behind a steam engine to carry fuel and water.
Tender
(nautical) A naval ship that functions as a mobile base for other ships.
Submarine tender
Destroyer tender
Tender
(nautical) A smaller boat used for transportation between a large ship and the shore.
Tender
Anything which is offered, proffered, put forth or bid with the expectation of a response, answer, or reply.
You offer me the sword of my father, the very man whose bones, because of your perfidy, lie under the sod of Crecy. Aye, I'll surely take it, and just as surely you shall die with your tender through your heart!
Tender
A means of payment such as a check or cheque, cash or credit card.
Your credit card has been declined so you need to provide some other tender such as cash.
Legal tender
Tender
(legal) A formal offer to buy or sell something.
We will submit our tender to you within the week.
Tender
Any offer or proposal made for acceptance.
Tender
Tenderly
Love me tender, love me sweet
Never let me go
Never let me go
Tender
To make tender or delicate; to weaken.
Tender
(archaic) To feel tenderly towards; to regard fondly or with consideration.
Tender
To work on a tender.
Tender
(formal) To offer, to give.
To tender one’s resignation
Tender
To offer a payment, as at sales or auctions.
Tender
One who tends; one who takes care of any person or thing; a nurse.
Tender
A vessel employed to attend other vessels, to supply them with provisions and other stores, to convey intelligence, or the like.
Tender
A car attached to a locomotive, for carrying a supply of fuel and water.
Tender
An offer, either of money to pay a debt, or of service to be performed, in order to save a penalty or forfeiture, which would be incurred by nonpayment or nonperformance; as, the tender of rent due, or of the amount of a note, with interest.
Tender
Any offer or proposal made for acceptance; as, a tender of a loan, of service, or of friendship; a tender of a bid for a contract.
A free, unlimited tender of the gospel.
Tender
The thing offered; especially, money offered in payment of an obligation.
Tender
Regard; care; kind concern.
Tender
To offer in payment or satisfaction of a demand, in order to save a penalty or forfeiture; as, to tender the amount of rent or debt.
Tender
To offer in words; to present for acceptance.
You see how all conditions, how all minds, . . . tender downTheir services to Lord Timon.
Tender
To have a care of; to be tender toward; hence, to regard; to esteem; to value.
For first, next after life, he tendered her good.
Tender yourself more dearly.
To see a prince in want would move a miser's charity. Our western princes tendered his case, which they counted might be their own.
Tender
Easily impressed, broken, bruised, or injured; not firm or hard; delicate; as, tender plants; tender flesh; tender fruit.
Tender
Sensible to impression and pain; easily pained.
Our bodies are not naturally more tender than our faces.
Tender
Physically weak; not hardly or able to endure hardship; immature; effeminate.
The tender and delicate woman among you.
Tender
Susceptible of the softer passions, as love, compassion, kindness; compassionate; pitiful; anxious for another's good; easily excited to pity, forgiveness, or favor; sympathetic.
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
I am choleric by my nature, and tender by my temper.
Tender
Exciting kind concern; dear; precious.
I love Valentine,Whose life's as tender to me as my soul!
Tender
Careful to save inviolate, or not to injure; - with of.
The civil authority should be tender of the honor of God and religion.
Tender
Unwilling to cause pain; gentle; mild.
You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,Will never do him good.
Tender
Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic; as, tender expressions; tender expostulations; a tender strain.
Tender
Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate; as, a tender subject.
Tender
Heeling over too easily when under sail; - said of a vessel.
Tender
Something used as an official medium of payment
Tender
Someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
Tender
A formal proposal to buy at a specified price
Tender
Car attached to a locomotive to carry fuel and water
Tender
A boat for communication between ship and shore
Tender
Ship that usually provides supplies to other ships
Tender
Offer or present for acceptance
Tender
Propose a payment;
The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
Tender
Make a tender of; in legal settlements
Tender
Make tender or more tender as by marinating, pounding, or applying a tenderizer;
Tenderize meat
Tender
Given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality;
A tender heart
A tender smile
Tender loving care
Tender memories
A tender mother
Tender
Hurting;
The tender spot on his jaw
Tender
Susceptible to physical or emotional injury;
At a tender age
Tender
Having or displaying warmth or affection;
Affectionate children
Caring parents
A fond embrace
Fond of his nephew
A tender glance
A warm embrace
Tender
Easy to cut or chew;
Tender beef
Tender
Physically untoughened;
Tender feet
Tender
(used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail
Tender
(of plants) not hardy; easily killed by adverse growing condition;
Tender green shoots
Tender
A bid in response to a request for tender (RFT).
Several firms have tendered for the new construction contract.
Tender
A competitive proposal process.
The tender process ensures transparency and fair competition.
Tender
A detailed offer document in a procurement process.
The tender included comprehensive details of the proposed services.
Common Curiosities
What is a quotation?
A quotation is a formal statement of price for goods or services provided by a seller to a potential buyer.
Is a quotation legally binding?
Generally, quotations are not legally binding unless accepted by both parties.
What is a tender?
A tender is a formal bid or offer to supply goods or services at a fixed price, usually in response to an official request.
Who requests a quotation?
Buyers request quotations when they need a price estimate for specific goods or services.
When is a quotation used?
Quotations are typically used for smaller-scale transactions or when a buyer needs a quick pricing estimate.
When is a tender used?
Tenders are used in formal procurement processes, often for large projects or public sector contracts.
What is the validity period of a quotation?
A quotation usually has a validity period within which the buyer must make a decision.
Is a tender legally binding?
Yes, a tender becomes legally binding once it is accepted by the party requesting the tender.
Can a quotation be negotiated?
Yes, quotations can often be negotiated between the buyer and seller.
How detailed is a quotation?
Quotations are usually straightforward, itemizing prices for goods or services.
How detailed is a tender?
Tenders are detailed documents that include extensive information about the proposed work, compliance with requirements, and terms and conditions.
Can a tender be negotiated?
Typically, tenders are not negotiated after submission; they are evaluated as is.
What is the validity period of a tender?
Tenders have specific deadlines for submission and decision-making set by the procuring entity.
Who requests a tender?
Organizations or entities issue requests for tenders to invite suppliers to bid on contracts.
What is the main difference between a quotation and a tender?
The main difference is that a quotation is an informal price estimate, while a tender is a formal, competitive bid for a contract.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
