Quotation vs. Tender: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 18, 2024
Quotation is a statement of price for specific goods or services; Tender is a formal offer to supply goods or services at a stated price.
Key Differences
Quotation is typically a document or statement specifying the price at which a vendor agrees to sell goods or services. It is often presented in response to an inquiry from a potential buyer. Tender, on the other hand, is a formal and structured process where suppliers submit bids to supply goods or services, usually in response to a request from an organization or government.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
In the case of a Quotation, it is usually less formal and can be solicited or unsolicited, depending on the buyer's needs. It's a straightforward document that lists prices for specific goods or services. A Tender process is more complex, often used for larger contracts, requiring detailed proposals and is usually governed by strict rules and timelines.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Quotations are generally simpler and quicker to prepare and submit. They are often used for smaller purchases or services. In contrast, preparing a Tender involves a significant investment of time and resources, as it must be comprehensive, following specific guidelines and often competing against several other tenders.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
When a business issues a Quotation, it is committing to the price stated for the specified work or products. This can be negotiated or adjusted. However, a Tender represents a formal commitment to the terms and pricing if selected, leaving less room for negotiation post-submission.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Quotations are often used in standard business transactions and are more common in day-to-day business activities. Tenders are typically used for governmental or large corporate procurement processes, where transparency, fairness, and compliance with legal standards are paramount.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Price statement for specific goods/services
Formal offer for supplying goods/services at a price
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Jan 18, 2024
Formality
Less formal, often for smaller transactions
Highly formal, often for larger contracts
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Preparation Complexity
Simple and quick to prepare
Requires detailed, structured proposals
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Typical Usage
Day-to-day business transactions
Large corporate/government procurement processes
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
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Commitment Level
Flexible, can be adjusted
Strict, little room for change post-submission
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Jan 18, 2024
Governance
Governed by normal business practice
Governed by specific rules and legal requirements
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Jan 18, 2024
Volume of Transactions
Common for smaller amounts
Used for high-value contracts
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Jan 18, 2024
Nature of Document
Simple price list or statement
Detailed proposal following a specific format
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Jan 18, 2024
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Quotation and Tender Definitions
Quotation
A citation from a text or speech.
Her essay included a quotation from the novel to support her argument.
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Jan 06, 2024
Tender
To offer formally.
The company tendered a bid for the construction project.
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Jan 06, 2024
Quotation
Use of a phrase to convey an alternative meaning.
She said with a sense of irony, quoting 'all's well that ends well'.
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Jan 06, 2024
Tender
Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.
Her tender words comforted the child.
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Jan 06, 2024
Quotation
A statement of price for specified goods or services.
The contractor provided a quotation for the kitchen renovation.
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Jan 06, 2024
Tender
In law, to offer payment to satisfy a debt or obligation.
She tendered the exact amount for the fine.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Quotation
A reference to a previous statement, often used in writing.
He began his speech with a quotation from Shakespeare.
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Jan 06, 2024
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).
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Jan 05, 2024
Quotation
A fragment of a human expression that is repeated by somebody else, for example from literature or a famous speech.
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Jan 05, 2024
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.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Considerate and protective; solicitous
A tender mother.
His tender concern.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Characterized by or expressing gentle emotions; loving
A tender glance.
A tender ballad.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quotation
That which is quoted or cited; a part of a book or writing named, repeated, or adduced as evidence or illustration.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quotation
The naming or publishing of the current price of stocks, bonds, or any commodity; also, the price named.
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Jan 05, 2024
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.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
A strip of meat, usually chicken, often breaded, deep-fried, and served with a sauce.
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Jan 05, 2024
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
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
A written offer to contract goods or services at a specified cost or rate; a bid.
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Jan 05, 2024
Quotation
A statement of the current market price of a security or commodity
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Jan 05, 2024
Quotation
The practice of quoting from books or plays etc.;
Since he lacks originality he must rely on quotation
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Jan 05, 2024
Quotation
In finance, the listed price of a stock or commodity.
The daily newspaper shows the latest stock quotations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Tender
(Nautical) A vessel attendant on other vessels, especially one that ferries supplies between ship and shore.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
A railroad car attached to the rear of a locomotive and designed to carry fuel and water.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Easily bruised or injured; not firm or hard; delicate.
Tender plants; tender flesh; tender fruit
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Fond, loving, gentle, or sweet.
Suzanne was such a tender mother to her children.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic.
Tender expressions; tender expostulations; a tender strain
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(nautical) Heeling over too easily when under sail; said of a vessel.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(obsolete) Careful to keep inviolate, or not to injure; used with of.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(rail transport) A railroad car towed behind a steam engine to carry fuel and water.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(nautical) A naval ship that functions as a mobile base for other ships.
Submarine tender
Destroyer tender
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(nautical) A smaller boat used for transportation between a large ship and the shore.
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Jan 05, 2024
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!
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(legal) A formal offer to buy or sell something.
We will submit our tender to you within the week.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(archaic) To feel tenderly towards; to regard fondly or with consideration.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
A vessel employed to attend other vessels, to supply them with provisions and other stores, to convey intelligence, or the like.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
A car attached to a locomotive, for carrying a supply of fuel and water.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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.
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Jan 05, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Tender
The thing offered; especially, money offered in payment of an obligation.
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Jan 05, 2024
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.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
To offer in words; to present for acceptance.
You see how all conditions, how all minds, . . . tender downTheir services to Lord Timon.
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Jan 05, 2024
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.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Easily impressed, broken, bruised, or injured; not firm or hard; delicate; as, tender plants; tender flesh; tender fruit.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Sensible to impression and pain; easily pained.
Our bodies are not naturally more tender than our faces.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Physically weak; not hardly or able to endure hardship; immature; effeminate.
The tender and delicate woman among you.
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Jan 05, 2024
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.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Exciting kind concern; dear; precious.
I love Valentine,Whose life's as tender to me as my soul!
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Careful to save inviolate, or not to injure; - with of.
The civil authority should be tender of the honor of God and religion.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Unwilling to cause pain; gentle; mild.
You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,Will never do him good.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic; as, tender expressions; tender expostulations; a tender strain.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate; as, a tender subject.
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Propose a payment;
The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Make tender or more tender as by marinating, pounding, or applying a tenderizer;
Tenderize meat
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality;
A tender heart
A tender smile
Tender loving care
Tender memories
A tender mother
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
Having or displaying warmth or affection;
Affectionate children
Caring parents
A fond embrace
Fond of his nephew
A tender glance
A warm embrace
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
(of plants) not hardy; easily killed by adverse growing condition;
Tender green shoots
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Jan 05, 2024
Tender
To present for acceptance; offer.
He tendered his resignation to the board.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does a tender differ from a quotation?
A tender is a formal offer to supply goods or services at a stated price, usually in a competitive bidding process.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is a tender legally binding?
Yes, once accepted, a tender is legally binding.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
How are quotations typically used?
For providing price details in response to a customer inquiry.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What is the purpose of a tender?
To solicit bids for large projects in a fair and transparent manner.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What is the typical response time for a tender?
Response times vary but are usually specified in the tender documents.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can a quotation lead to a contract?
Yes, a quotation can lead to a contract if accepted by the buyer.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What factors affect a quotation?
Cost of materials, labor, and market conditions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Is a quotation formal or informal?
It can be both but is generally less formal than a tender.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What documents are required for a tender?
This varies but usually includes a detailed proposal and bid.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
How specific should a quotation be?
Very specific, detailing goods, services, and prices.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
How is a tender evaluated?
Based on criteria like price, capability, and compliance with the tender requirements.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Can anyone see a submitted tender?
It depends on the rules governing the tender process.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
Are tenders used internationally?
Yes, especially for government and large corporate contracts.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
What is the validity period of a quotation?
This varies and should be specified in the quotation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 18, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
