RFA vs. RFP: Grant Applications and Contract Proposals
What each solicitation leads to, and how the response changes
A Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications for a grant or cooperative agreement that supports a program or research goal, governed largely by 2 CFR 200 and agency grant policy. A Request for Proposal (RFP) solicits offers for a contract to buy goods or services, governed by the FAR. The award instrument drives everything that follows.
At a Glance
RFA
- Leads to: Grant or cooperative agreement
- Governing rules: 2 CFR 200 and agency grant policy
- Government's aim: Support a public purpose or research goal
- Evaluation: Merit or peer review against published review criteria
- Response centers on: Significance, approach, methodology, expected outcomes
RFP
- Leads to: Contract
- Governing rules: FAR and agency supplements
- Government's aim: Acquire goods or services for its own use
- Evaluation: Evaluation factors stated in the solicitation
- Response centers on: Technical approach, management, past performance, price
What Is an RFA?
An RFA is a funding announcement used for assistance awards. NIH, for example, uses RFAs for initiatives aimed at specific research areas. Terminology varies across agencies: the Uniform Guidance uses "notice of funding opportunity" as the general term, and some agencies call their announcements program solicitations. State and local governments sometimes use "RFA" for other purposes, so the solicitation itself is the best guide.
What Is an RFP?
An RFP is a contract solicitation. The government is buying goods or services it needs, and the resulting award is a binding contract governed by the FAR, the agency's supplement, and the solicitation's terms and evaluation factors.
How the Response Changes
An application responding to an RFA usually centers on the significance of the work, the research design or program approach, and the expected outcomes. A proposal responding to an RFP centers on technical approach, management approach, past performance, and price, organized to the solicitation's instructions and evaluation factors.
Organizations that pursue both grants and contracts benefit from confirming the award instrument during opportunity review. The answer decides which team leads, which rules apply after award, and how the response should be organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an RFA the same as a NOFO?
An RFA is one kind of funding announcement. Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is the general term the Uniform Guidance uses for announcements of available federal financial assistance.
What is a Broad Agency Announcement?
A BAA solicits proposals for basic and applied research. Depending on the agency and the program, a BAA can lead to a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction.
Can a grant application be revised after submission?
Agency practice varies. Some programs allow limited updates or just-in-time information before award, but grant applications generally don't go through the discussions and revisions that negotiated contract proposals can.