Short answer: A good RFP for portable soccer goals specifies the goal sizes and quantities, the safety standard (EN 16579), the anti-tip and material requirements, the documentation package you need to clear the vendor, delivery terms, and a clear evaluation rubric — so every bid is comparable on more than price. Below is a copy-paste spec template you can drop into your own RFP.
We're TAY Sports (brand: Eco Walker) — manufacturer of portable inflatable soccer goals, training markers, and portable LED field lighting. We respond to institutional RFPs regularly, so this is written from the supplier side of the table: here's what makes an RFP easy to bid accurately, which is the same thing that gets you comparable, honest quotes.
Why a structured RFP gets you better pricing
A vague RFP ("we need some soccer goals, send pricing") forces every supplier to guess at size, quantity, and spec. You get back quotes that aren't comparable, and cautious suppliers pad their numbers to cover the unknowns. A precise RFP does the opposite: it lets a manufacturer price the exact thing you want, which is almost always cheaper and always comparable across bids.
The 7 sections every goal RFP should have
- Scope & quantities — sizes, counts, and whether it's a one-time buy or a standing/term contract
- Technical specification — frame, fabric, anchoring, weight, pack-down
- Safety & compliance — the standard you require and the evidence you'll accept
- Documentation package — what the vendor must supply for setup and risk
- Delivery & logistics — destination, deadline, freight terms
- Commercial terms — payment, warranty, returns
- Evaluation criteria — how you'll score bids (so it isn't lowest-price-wins by default)
Copy-paste specification template
Drop this into your RFP and edit the bracketed fields:
1. Scope and quantities
- [Qty] × portable soccer goals, size [e.g. 12ft × 6ft], for [age group / program]
- [Qty] × portable soccer goals, size [e.g. 24ft × 8ft], for [full-size pitch]
- Delivery to: [site address(es)]
- Contract type: [one-time purchase / 12-month term with call-offs]
2. Technical specification
- Goal type: portable / freestanding (non-fixed)
- Setup time: under [X] minutes by [1-2] people without tools
- Frame: [inflatable / rigid] — must withstand normal training and recreational shot loads
- Fabric: weather- and UV-resistant; state operating temperature range
- Anchoring: anti-tip anchoring system included; specify ground type ([grass / turf / hard court])
- Pack-down: must pack into a carry bag; state packed dimensions and weight
- Color: [standard / custom — state RAL or Pantone if branded]
3. Safety and compliance
- Goals must be designed and built to comply with EN 16579 (the current European safety standard for portable and freestanding soccer goals)
- Vendor must supply a signed Declaration of Compliance referencing the standard
- State acceptable evidence: signed manufacturer attestation and/or third-party test report
- Anti-tip stability is mandatory — goals must not tip forward under the loads the standard defines
4. Documentation package (submit with bid or on award)
- Signed EN 16579 compliance attestation
- Material safety data (MSDS) for the fabric and components
- W-9 (US) / business registration (non-US)
- Certificate of Insurance, naming [your organization] where required
- Written warranty terms and returns / damage-claim process
- Freight terms and lead time
5. Delivery and logistics
- Required on-site date: [date]
- Freight terms: [delivered / FOB / DDP]
- Packaging suitable for [LTL / container / pallet] handling
6. Commercial terms
- Payment terms: [net-30 for established institutional buyers / 50-50 / deposit + balance]
- Unit price, freight, and any setup/branding fees itemized separately
- Pricing valid for [X] days
7. Evaluation criteria (example weighting)
- Compliance with EN 16579 and completeness of documentation — 30%
- Total delivered cost (unit + freight + fees) — 30%
- Product spec match (size, setup time, durability) — 20%
- Lead time and delivery reliability — 10%
- Warranty and after-sale support — 10%
A note on the safety standard
Be precise here, because it's where weak bids hide. EN 16579 for portable goals uses a manufacturer self-declaration route — there is no mandatory third-party certificate the standard issues. So the right thing to require is a signed Declaration of Compliance plus the test records behind it, not a "certificate" that doesn't exist for this product class. A supplier who promises a third-party EN 16579 "certificate" for a portable goal either misunderstands the standard or is overstating. We explain exactly what we hold, and what's self-attested vs third-party tested, on our compliance and documentation page.
What to do with the bids
Score them on your rubric, not just price. A goal that's $30 cheaper but ships without an anti-tip system or compliance attestation is a liability, not a saving — portable goals that tip forward are the single documented safety risk in this category, which is the entire reason EN 16579 exists.
Product fit
- Portable & inflatable soccer goals — 4×3 up to 24×8, mixed-size orders for every age group, anti-tip by design
- Training markers and agility sets
- Ecowalker Light — portable LED field lighting
Send us your RFP
Email your spec or use our structured form — we'll return an itemized bid with the full documentation package within 1-2 business days. Request a wholesale quote, or review what we can document on the compliance page.