Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

request for proposal
     
         (RFP) The publication by a prospective software
        purchaser of details of the required system in order to
        attract offers by software developers to supply it.  Software
        development under contract starts with the selection of the
        software developer by the customer.  A request for proposal
        (also called in Britain an "invitation to tender") is the
        beginning of the selection process.
     
        [Bennatan, E.M., "Software Project Management", 2nd edition,
        McGraw-Hill International, 1992].
     
        (1995-12-04)