RFI — Request for Information

A Request for Information (RFI) is a non-binding, formal information-gathering process in which the buyer — who has not yet finalized a specification or a solution path — seeks to learn which suppliers exist in the market, what their capabilities and capacities are, and which approaches or technologies they use. An RFI differs from an RFQ or RFP in both timing and intent: it does not solicit price or proposals; it seeks instead to map supplier capacity, references, service range, industry experience and overall approach. An SMB purchasing team typically issues an RFI when entering a new procurement category, when the existing supplier pool appears inadequate, or when searching for innovative solutions. An RFI document usually gathers information on company profile and history, financial-soundness indicators, product and service portfolio, reference customers, certifications, quality-management system, production or service capacity, sustainability policy and typical price range. The responses returning from an RFI narrow the supplier pool and generate a pre-qualified supplier list, which then enters a subsequent RFQ or RFP. Because an RFI is non-binding, suppliers face a low cost of participation and response rates are generally high. RFI results feed directly into the qualitative criteria — experience, certification, references — of #022 AHP-based supplier evaluation.