Request for information

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A request for information (RFI) is a common business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers.^[1] Normally it follows a format that can be used for comparative purposes.

An RFI is primarily used to gather information to help make a decision on what steps to take next. RFIs are therefore seldom the final stage and are instead often used in combination with request for proposal (RFP), request for tender (RFT), and request for quotation (RFQ). In addition to gathering basic information, an RFI is often used as a solicitation sent to a broad base of potential suppliers for the purpose of conditioning suppliers' minds, developing strategy, building a database, and preparing for an RFP, RFT, or RFQ.^[2]

An RFI may be open, where information is publicly gathered from anyone interested who wants to provide a submission, or closed, where parties are privately approached to provide information.

The ubiquitous availability of the Internet has made many government agencies turn either to state-run or vendor-operated websites which provide listings of RFIs as well as RFPs and RFQs. Many allow vendors to sign up at no charge to receive e-mails of requests either generally or for specific categories of product or service for which there is an interest. The entire process may be conducted online and collects responses as scanned documents or Portable Document Format (PDF) files uploaded to the server. Or for legal reasons, a response must be sent in hard copy form and/or on CD/DVD disc or USB flash drive by mail or delivery service.^{[citation needed]}