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FACTSHEET | March 27, 2024

How To Read a Request for Quotation (SF18)

Overview of the Request for Quotation (SF18 form).
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Overview of the Request for Quotation (SF18 form).
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9001

Guide to reading a Request for Quotation (Standard Form 18) which is used to solicit quotations from Vendors for procurements using simplified acquisition procedures.

SF 18 is prescribed for use in obtaining price, cost, delivery, and related information from suppliers as specified in 13.307(b).
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations eCFR 53.213(a)-SF18

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Resources and Terms Glossary

Boxes 1 - 5

Small Business Set-Aside
Request for Quotation or RFQ (SF18 form) top section determining whether the RFQ is a Small Business Set-Aside. If the RFQ is a Small Business Set-Aside the "is" box will be checked.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Request for Quotation or RFQ (SF18 form) top section determining whether the RFQ is a Small Business Set-Aside. If the RFQ is a Small Business Set-Aside the "is" box will be checked.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9002

  • The buyer will select "is" if the solicitation is set aside for small business OR "is not" if the solicitation is not a small business set-aside.

1. Request Number
Box 1 of the Request for Quotation (SF18 form) for Request Number
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 1 of the Request for Quotation (SF18 form) for Request Number
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9003

  • Box 1: This is the solicitation or Request For Quote (RFQ) number.

2. Date Issued
Box 2 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Date Issued.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 2 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Date Issued.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9004

  • Box 2: The date that the solicitation was issued.

Note: The Government enters the four-position numeric year, three-position alpha month, and two-position numeric day (YYYYMMMDD).


3. Requisition/Purchase Request Number
Box 3 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Requisition/Purchase Request Number.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 3 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Requisition/Purchase Request Number.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9005

  • Box 3: This is the Purchase Request (PR) number that generates the purchase.

 If there are multiple PR numbers, this box will state “See Schedule.”


4. Cert. For Nat. Def. Under BDSA Reg. 2 And/Or DMS Reg. 1
Box 4 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Cert. For Nat. Def. Under BDSA Reg. 2 And/Or DMS Reg. 1 which indicates the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) rating.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 4 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Cert. For Nat. Def. Under BDSA Reg. 2 And/Or DMS Reg. 1 which indicates the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) rating.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9006

  • Box 4: This is the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) rating. The Government enters the appropriate DPAS rating. The DPAS priority rating is assigned to the National Item Identification Number.
  • Meaning of box title: Certified for National Defense Under Business and Defense Services Administration (BDSA) Regulation 2 and/or Defense Materials System (DMS) Regulation 1.

DPAS - Defense Priorities and Allocations System Rating: Indicates the priority the contractor should give to the performance of the award.

There are two priority ratings that can be assigned to a procurement, “DX” and “DO.” 

  • “DX” -  indicates the highest rated order; thus, the manufacturer will schedule its production before processing other lower rated orders. 
  • “DO” -  indicates a regular rated order; thus, the manufacturer will schedule this production in its normal run.
  • Note: DX ratings do not apply to DLA Direct procurements. A DX rating may apply to Customer Direct procurements.

    Specific DPAS codes include:

  • A1 – Aircraft
  • A2 – Missiles
  • A3 – Ships
  • A4 – Tank/Automotive
  • A5 – Weapons
  • A6 – Ammunition
  • A7 – Electronics/Communications Equipment
  • C9 – Miscellaneous
  • Example:  DO-A1 is a regular rated order for an Aircraft.


5. Issue By
Box 5 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Issued By names, telephone and address information.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 5 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Issued By names (both DLA office and buyers name), telephone and address information.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9007

  • Box 5a: Identifies the name and address of the DLA office requesting pricing and delivery information. 
  • Box 5b: This is the buyer's information (name and phone number).

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Boxes 6 - 9

6. Deliver By (Date)
Box 6 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Deliver By (Date).
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 6 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Deliver By (Date).
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9008

  • Box 6: This is the delivery date the Government needs the material by.

7. Delivery
Box 7 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for a Delivery option to be selected, either FOB Destination or Other (See Schedule).
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 7 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for a Delivery option to be selected, either FOB Destination or Other (See Schedule).
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9009

  • Box 7: The solicitation will indicate “Destination” or “Other” as the means for delivering material or services.

Destination: Vendor arranges transportation.
Other (Origin): Government arranges transportation.


8. To:
Box 8 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for "To" field for Vendor information including: point of contact name, company name, street address, city, state, and zip code.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 8 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for "To" field for Vendor information including: point of contact name, company name, street address, city, state, and zip code.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9010

  • Box 8: If this box is blank the Vendor may fill in the following information:
    • 8a - Name
    • 8b - Company
    • 8c - Street Address
    • 8d - City
    • 8e - State
    • 8f - Zip Code

 The box 8 may be filled in with information if the Vendor has provided the specific item previously.


9. Destination
Box 9 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Destination information including Name of Consignee, Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 9 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Destination information including Name of Consignee, Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9011

  • Box 9: Identifies where material will be shipped.
    • 9a - Name of Consignee
    • 9b - Street Address
    • 9c - City
    • 9d - State
    • 9e - Zip Code

 This box often states "See Schedule" which is usually attached as a continuation page.

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Boxes 10 - 11

10. Furnish Quotations to the Issuing Office
Box 10 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for the field titled "Please furnish Quotations to the Issuing Office in Block 5a on or before close of business (Date)."
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 10 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for the field titled "Please furnish Quotations to the Issuing Office in Block 5a on or before close of business (Date)."
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9012

  • Box 10: This is the closing date of the solicitation. Vendors should have their offers submitted by this date in order to be considered in the evaluation process for award.

11. Schedule
Box 11 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for the solicitation Schedule with sections for: Item Number, Supplies/Services, Quantity, Unit, Unit Price, and Amount.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 11 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for the solicitation Schedule with sections for: Item Number, Supplies/Services, Quantity, Unit, Unit Price, and Amount.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9013

  • Box 11: This section is often blank or will say "See Schedule."  The Schedule is often attached as a continuation page.  

 Sometimes this may reference the Master Solicitation for Automated Simplified Acquisitions and/or the DLA Technical and Quality Master List of Requirements both found on DLA Procurement Policy and Directives Page.

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Boxes 12 - 16

Buyers are looking primarily for the following information from a Vendor:

  • Pricing
  • Delivery (Production Lead Time)

Boxes 12-16 are Vendor fill-ins when responding to a Request For Quotation (RFQ). If a Vendor chooses to not fill in the boxes but still wants to respond to a RFQ then all information asked for in boxes 12-16 must be present in a "Cover Letter" or email sent back to the buyer who requested the information.


12. Discount for Prompt Payment
Box 12 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Discount for Prompt payment. Includes fill in discount percentage fields for 10, 20, and 30 Calendar Days as well as a field for a custom amount of calendar days with a specific discount percentage.
Underneath 12 is the note concerning Additional provisions or representations in the solicitation. The "are" box will checked if there are extra provisions or representations attached to the solicitation.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 12 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Discount for Prompt payment. Includes fill in discount percentage fields for 10, 20, and 30 Calendar Days as well as a field for a custom amount of calendar days with a specific discount percentage. Underneath 12 is the note concerning Additional provisions or representations in the solicitation. The "are" box will checked if there are extra provisions or representations attached to the solicitation.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9014

  • Box 12: The Vendor enters the discount for prompt payment in terms of percentages and corresponding days, if applicable.

 If nothing is stated, the Government defaults to net 30.

Note: Additional provisions and representations

If additional provisions or representations for the solicitation are attached, the "are" box will be checked. Otherwise, the "are not attached" box will be checked.


13. Name and Address of Quoter
Box 13 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Name and Address information of the Quoter.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 13 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Name and Address information of the Quoter.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9015

  • Box 13: The Vendor is required to provide the following information:
    • 13a - Name of Quoter
    • 13b - Street Address
    • 13c - County
    • 13d - City
    • 13e - State
    • 13f - Zip Code

14. Signature of Person Authorized to Sign Quotation
Box 14 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Signature of Person Authorized to Sign Quotation.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 14 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Signature of Person Authorized to Sign Quotation.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9016

  • Box 14: This is the signature of the Vendor's point of contact who has the authority to negotiate and make decisions for the Vendor.

15. Date of Quotation
Box 15 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Date of Quotation.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 15 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Date of Quotation.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9017

  • Box 15: Date of the Vendor's quote.

16. Signer
Box 16 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Signer information including: name, telephone number, and signers title.
How To Read Request for Quotation (SF18)
Box 16 of the Request for Quotation (SF18) for Signer information including: name, telephone number, and signers title.
Photo By: John McCormick
VIRIN: 231219-D-D0441-9018

  • Box 16: The Vendor types/writes the name and contact information of their authorized point of contact.​​​​​​​
    • 16a - Name (Type or Print)
    • 16b - Telephone
    • 16c - Title (Type or Print)

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Contract Basics Collection Navigation

Resources:

Terms Glossary

Find meanings for acronyms, abbreviations, and codes used throughout the process article below in the table:

Term Used Meaning/Definition
BDSA Business and Defense Services Administration
DD1155 Department of Defense Form 1155 Order for Supplies or Services
DIBBS DLA's Internet Bid Board System
DLA Defense Logistics Agency
DMS Defense Materials System
DPAS Defense Priorities and Allocation System
PIID Procurement Instrument Identification
PR Purchase Request
RFQ Request for Quotation
SF18 Standard Form 18 Request for Quotation
SF26 Standard Form 26 Award/Contract
SF33 Standard Form 33 Solicitation, Offer, and Award Form