Create your first sourcing event
From an empty dashboard to suppliers receiving your invitation — with a hands-on demo.
A sourcing event is how you ask suppliers to compete for your business — an RFQ for price, an RFI for information, an RFP for a full proposal, or a reverse Auction for live bidding. This guide takes you from an empty dashboard to suppliers receiving your first invitation.
Before you start
Have your item list, target quantities and any specification documents ready. You can always edit items while the event is in draft, but a clean list up front saves time and avoids confusing suppliers later.
Draft first, publish when ready
Nothing is sent to suppliers until you publish. A draft event is private to your team, so you can build it over several sittings.
Step by step
Open Create Sourcing Event
From the dashboard right rail, choose Create Sourcing Event and pick a type — RFQ, RFI, RFP, Logistic RFQ or Auction.
Add your items
Give the event a title, then add line items with quantity, unit and any notes. Bulk-import from a spreadsheet if your list is long.
Set evaluation criteria
Decide what 'best' means — lowest price, weighted technical + commercial scoring, or required attributes such as warranty and lead time.
Invite suppliers
Pick from your supplier directory or invite a new company by email. Invited partners get a private, secure link to respond.
Review and publish
Check the summary, set the RFx deadline, then publish. Suppliers are notified instantly and the clock starts.
Try it yourself
Click through a simplified version of the create-event wizard below. Nothing is saved — it's a sandbox to get the feel of the flow.
Set a realistic deadline
Suppliers need time to price accurately. For a standard RFQ, allow at least 3–5 business days; rushed deadlines tend to return fewer, higher offers.
Event types at a glance
| Type | Use it when | Suppliers submit |
|---|---|---|
| RFQ | You know exactly what you need and want price | Priced offer per item |
| RFI | You're scoping the market first | Capabilities & information |
| RFP | Solution matters as much as price | Full technical + commercial proposal |
| Auction | You want live competitive pressure | Live descending bids |
Sourcing event checklist (PDF)
PDF · 280 KB