Request for Tender (RFT)
As Gaeilge: Iarratas ar Thairiscint
Also known as: RFT
Last reviewed April 2026
The Irish public-sector term for a tender pack inviting formal bids on a contract.
The full document set issued by a contracting authority to invite bids on a public contract. An RFT typically includes the contract notice, terms of reference or specification, evaluation criteria, draft contract, ESPD, and submission instructions. RFT is the term most commonly used by Irish buyers on eTenders.gov.ie; in the UK and EU directives the equivalent is often called an Invitation to Tender.
In the Tenderwatch data
- Appears in 257 notices captured in the last 12 months on Tenderwatch (as at November 2026).
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Open Irish tenders featuring Request for Tender (RFT)
PS3958C - RFT for the Provision of GP Medical Services for Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire (IADT)
Education Procurement Service (EPS) · deadline 10 Nov 2026
Request for tender for the provision of three handheld Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Analysers.
Office of the Revenue Commissioners · deadline 10 Nov 2026
RFT for the provision of services for the management of recruitment processes.
The Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment · deadline 11 Nov 2026
Request for Tender for the Provision of Democracy education for the Adult and Community Education sector
An Coimisiún Toghcháin The Electoral Commission · deadline 11 Nov 2026
RFT for the provision of maintenance and associated support services for hoisting and care equipment for Central Remedial Clinic (CRC)
Central Remedial Clinic · deadline 12 Nov 2026
Related terms
Invitation to Tender (ITT)
The formal invitation, with full specification and contract terms, sent to qualified bidders.
Contract Notice
The formal advertisement of a procurement opportunity: above-threshold notices go to eTenders and TED.
eTenders
Ireland's national e-procurement platform at etenders.gov.ie, where public contracts over €50,000 (goods/services) must be advertised.
Contracting Authority
A public body that buys goods, services, or works with public funds: departments, councils, the HSE, ETBs, etc.
ESPD (European Single Procurement Document)
Standardised self-declaration confirming you meet exclusion grounds and selection criteria: required on EU-threshold tenders.
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