How to write a Letter of Intent?

Also known as: letter of intent to bid, letter of intent to submit a proposal, l etter of interest, letter for expression of interest to bid, proof of intent let ter, or expression of interest letter. What is a Letter of Intent? Definition of a Letter of Intent A letter of intent is basically a written statement expressing the sender's inte ntion, should certain circumstances arise, to take or forgo some action, like en tering into a future agreement with the recipient, or, more generally, carrying out business activities mentioned in the letter of intent. The letter of intent in the solicitation process In the solicitation and selection context, the letter of intent tells the compan y issuing the Request for Proposal (RFP) that you are interested not only in sub mitting a proposal in response, but also in receiving all RFP updates and modifi cations. It's also referred as a letter of intent to bid or a letter of intent t o submit a proposal. Is the letter of intent a binding document? The letter of intent is essentially a legally worthless document. A letter of in tent is neither an offer or a contract. Thus, it doesn't oblige its writer and, consequently, cannot be enforced. Although the letter of intent is not, by essen ce, a binding document, we may often find at the bottom or, even worse, in the b ody of the letter of intent a paragraph stating and reinforcing the non-binding character of the letter of intent. This mention is usually inserted under the pr essure of a legal attorney, or any legal advisor or department considering the l etter of intent as a binding document, and not as a mere agreement to agree in t he future, unless a mention states the contrary. "In order to be a valid and enforceable agreement, a document must contain certa in essential legal provisions and must not leave either undecided or to be deter mined at some time in the future any aspect of such essential legal provisions. If these essential elements are not present, then the document is not a binding one and is often referred to by courts as an agreement to agree or a letter of i ntent, both of which are not enforceable as contracts. (...) Thus, the letter of intent is essentially a legally worthless document." Excerpt from The Letter of Intent, by Ivan Hoffman, Attorney at Law.