GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Invitation to tender
Unlike a direct award, where a client engages a service provider without competitive process, an invitation to tender requires structured market consultation: the client publishes its transport or logistics requirements, and multiple providers submit independent bids.
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike a direct award, where a client engages a service provider without competitive process, an invitation to tender requires structured market consultation: the client publishes its transport or logistics requirements, and multiple providers submit independent bids. Tenders may be open—any qualified carrier or freight forwarder may participate—or restricted, with invitations issued to a pre-selected shortlist only. In the EU, public contracting authorities are legally required to tender contracts exceeding certain thresholds under procurement law; private shippers use the process voluntarily to benchmark market rates and maintain a defensible audit trail for supplier selection. Evaluation criteria typically cover price, transit time, service reliability, quality certifications, and sustainability credentials. An invitation to tender differs from a Request for Quotation (RFQ), which is less formalised and generally focused on price comparison alone.
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