What Is an MRQ? Material Requisition
What an MRQ Contains
The MRQ is a multi-part package. It does not just list what to buy—it defines exactly how the materials must be manufactured, tested, inspected, and documented.
| MRQ Section | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Requisition form | Cover sheet with project info, MRQ number, priority, required delivery date | MRQ-PIP-001, Rev. 02 |
| Scope of supply | Description of materials or equipment covered | All carbon steel BW fittings per pipe class A1A |
| MTO / quantity list | Itemized list with sizes, specs, quantities | 48 x 6” LR 90-deg elbows, ASTM A234 WPB |
| Technical specification | Project piping spec, valve spec, or equipment spec | PROJ-PIP-SP-001 Rev. 3 |
| Data sheets | Valve data sheets, instrument data sheets (if applicable) | VDS for each tagged valve |
| Applicable standards | ASTM, API, ASME codes referenced | ASME B16.9, ASTM A234, ASME B31.3 |
| Inspection requirements | ITP (Inspection and Test Plan) and hold/witness points | Third-party inspection at mill |
| Documentation requirements | MDR (Master Document Register) listing required vendor documents | MTCs per EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports |
| Approved vendor list | Pre-qualified manufacturers for this commodity | 4-6 approved mills or suppliers |
MRQ Workflow
The MRQ follows a defined path from engineering to the purchase order:
| Step | Activity | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering prepares MRQ package | Piping/materials engineer |
| 2 | Internal review and approval | Lead engineer, project engineer |
| 3 | MRQ issued to procurement | Document control |
| 4 | Procurement prepares RFQ from MRQ | Procurement engineer |
| 5 | RFQ issued to approved vendors | Buyer |
| 6 | Vendor quotations received | Procurement |
| 7 | Technical bid evaluation (TBE) | Engineering |
| 8 | Commercial bid evaluation (CBE) | Procurement |
| 9 | Purchase order issued | Procurement manager |
MRQ Numbering and Tracking
Each MRQ has a unique identifier that tracks through the entire procurement cycle. A typical numbering convention:
| Code Element | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Project code | Project identifier | PROJ |
| Discipline | PIP (piping), ELE (electrical), INS (instrument) | PIP |
| Document type | MRQ | MRQ |
| Sequential number | Unique number | 001 |
| Revision | Current revision | Rev. 02 |
| Full MRQ number | Combined | PROJ-PIP-MRQ-001 Rev. 02 |
MRQ revisions are common. Engineering updates during detailed design—new line sizes, additional tie-in points, changed pipe classes—generate MRQ revisions that must be communicated to procurement before the RFQ is issued. If an RFQ has already been sent, a revised MRQ may require re-quotation.
MRQ vs Purchase Requisition
Some organizations use a separate Purchase Requisition (PR) as the internal financial approval document. The MRQ is the technical package; the PR authorizes the budget. In other organizations, the MRQ serves both functions.
| Document | Focus | Issued By |
|---|---|---|
| MRQ | Technical scope, specs, quantities | Engineering |
| Purchase Requisition (PR) | Budget authorization, cost center, approval signatures | Project controls / procurement |
Accurate MRQs ensure that suppliers receive clear, complete requirements on the first issue. Incomplete MRQs generate multiple rounds of clarification that delay the procurement cycle by weeks. For Incoterms and shipping document requirements, these are typically specified at the RFQ or PO stage rather than in the MRQ itself.
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