Under sealed bid procedures, solicitations are referred to as what?

Under sealed bid procedures, solicitations are referred to as "Invitations for Bids." This terminology is specifically used in the context of competitive bidding processes where the government or an organization invites contractors to submit bids for a project or service.

The practice of using Invitations for Bids establishes a formalized approach to procurement, ensuring transparency and competitiveness. When a sealed bid is submitted in response to an Invitation for Bids, it signifies that the bid will remain unopened until the official opening date, allowing for fair consideration of all submissions.

In contrast, requests for proposals are typically used in different procurement scenarios that involve negotiations or considerations beyond just price, such as technical expertise or project approach. Both negotiated contracts and contractual agreements are broader terms that describe the outcomes of various contracting methods and do not specifically pertain to the invitation aspect inherent in sealed bids. Therefore, "Invitations for Bids" is the precise term that aligns with sealed bid procedures, ensuring clear communication and outlining the requirement for competitive bidding.