The RFQ Process
The Contract Packaging Association's RFQ system is the most trusted automated manufacturer-matching tool in the industry. Free to submit. Vetted manufacturers. Fast turnaround.
Submit Your RFQ at contractpackaging.org →About the Tool
The Contract Packaging Association is the national trade organization for contract manufacturers, co-packers, and contract packagers in North America — established in 1992.
Their Request for Quote (RFQ) system is an automated matching engine built specifically for brands looking for manufacturing partners. It's the industry standard — not a directory, not a marketplace, but a structured matching system built on real capability data.
When you submit an RFQ, it goes into the system and gets matched against CPA member manufacturers who have confirmed capability, capacity, and willingness to produce your product type. You only receive introductions to manufacturers who are a genuine match.
There is no cost to brands for submitting an RFQ through the CPA system. The matching and introductions are provided at no charge.
CPA member manufacturers have met membership standards. You're not searching cold directories or unverified listings.
The CPA member network covers manufacturers across North America, in every major product category and production format.
If the CPA cannot match your specific requirements, the Co-Packing Network will work directly with you from our own roster of 40,000 contract manufacturers.
Step by Step
Before submitting, gather information about your product, packaging requirements, volume needs, certifications, and timeline. The checklist below covers everything you'll need.
Go to contractpackaging.org/request-for-quote-form and complete the submission. Be as specific as possible — the more detail you provide, the better your matches will be.
The CPA system processes your RFQ and matches it against the member manufacturer database — filtering by product category, capacity, certifications, geography, and minimum order requirements.
Matched manufacturers review your RFQ and respond. You'll receive introductions from co-packers who have confirmed they have the capability and interest to produce your product.
Review matched manufacturers. Conduct virtual or in-person facility tours, request samples, compare proposals, and evaluate the relationship fit. This is your most important vendor decision.
If the CPA's member network cannot match your requirements, contact the Co-Packing Network team. We'll search our proprietary roster of 40,000 manufacturers to find your production partner.
Not Quite There Yet?
An RFQ is for brands ready to manufacture. If you're still developing your product or need to test at small scale, start here instead.
Preparation Checklist
Better preparation means better matches. Here's everything you should have ready before submitting your RFQ.
"If they cannot help you, we will work directly with you from our own roster of 40,000 contract manufacturers."
The CPA's member network is excellent — but it doesn't cover every possible product type, volume level, or geography. When the standard RFQ process doesn't yield the right match, the Co-Packing Network's advisory team steps in.
Our proprietary database of 40,000 contract manufacturers, built over decades of industry relationships, covers virtually every product category in consumer packaged goods. If a manufacturer exists who can produce your product, we can find them.
The CPA's Request for Quote form is at contractpackaging.org. It's free, fast, and the fastest path to finding a qualified manufacturing partner.
After submitting, if you need additional help, contact us at info@contractmfg.org or 909-336-6473.