What Is an RFI in Construction? – In construction, a request for information (RFI) seeks the clarification of plans, drawings, specifications, and agreements. The construction RFI is a formal written process in which parties, such as the contractor and designer, clarify information gaps in construction documents.

While this process sounds straightforward, RFIs often become a source of delay, expense, conflict, and even legal claims. Therefore, all participants in construction projects have a stake in understanding how RFIs work and how to use them properly. Construction RFIs come into play at various points in the construction process.

During bidding, a contractor may submit an RFI to gain a fuller understanding of the project’s details and fine-tune a quote. More commonly however, a contractor or subcontractor will submit a construction RFI while building is under way in order to ask the designer or engineer to clarify a drawing or specification.

1. The contractor or supplier may also use an RFI to document a concern about the specified materials, seek more information about the owner’s intended use, or recommend a change or substitution of components.
2. Giving prompt and complete answers to RFIs helps construction projects stay on time and within budget.

Providing timely responses also helps ensure that the builders are constructing the edifice according to specifications. Construction RFIs generally arise in one of three scenarios:

When someone needs further information or clarification When someone proposes a substitution or an alteration When someone identifies a problem or deficiency

What does a RFI stand for?

RFI – Short for “request for information,” the RFI is really a preliminary document used by companies that don’t understand the marketplace they’re about to enter. In the case of a company searching for a customer relationship management (CRM) solution, for instance, it would use an RFI if it had no prior experience with CRM and wanted to gain an understanding on the range of options in the CRM space.

Because the RFI is more of a fact-finding document, you’ll want to ask open-ended questions, ones that allow the vendor to talk about its full range of offerings. Typically, the RFI will state the broad business challenges you’re having, and then the vendor can tailor its response within the context of those challenges.

Oftentimes, the vendor will explain its position in the marketplace (for instance, what industries it specializes in), how it licenses its product, and what other fees you can expect.

What is RFI procedure?

What is a Request For Information (RFI) in Construction – Effective communication is very important for the success of any project. Requests For Informations (RFIs) are widely used communication tools for this objective. Simply put, a Request for information is a common practice used to receive written information in a construction project.

The Requests For Information (RFI) procedure is widely used in construction projects when it is required to confirm the interpretation of detail, specification, or note on the construction drawings. It is also used to secure a clarification from the client that is required to continue the work. It can have different formats depending on who the Requests For Information (RFI) is for.

For example, a request for information between a contractor and a subcontractor who will perform construction activities will be different than one between a contractor and a vendor. In any case, the Requests For Information (RFI) is a standard communication tool created to gather information about the capabilities of contractors, suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors.

What does RFI stand for in design?

Request for Information notices or RFIs is one of the most common, and unavoidable, admin processes for a construction project. It is always important for contractors managing a project that RFIs are managed efficiently to minimize delays and cost overruns. Impact & Control of RFIs on Construction Projects – A Research Perspective Issued by the Navigant Construction Forum The report found that for every $1 million in project value, there were approximately 9.9 requests, with an average of 9.7 days from the creation to the close of an RFI.

1. The cost of each RFI was determined to be approx.
2. 1,080, and 21.9% of RFIs from the sample received no response.
3. Let’s look at the RFI process and some tips on how to manage that process efficiently for the benefit of all project stakeholders.
4. What is Request for Information (RFI) in construction? For most construction projects, the agreement, drawings, and specifications may not address every small aspect of the work.

Therefore, when clarification is required, an RFI document is issued which details the additional information required. For example, this could be the main contractor asking the architect for clarification of a specification item, or a sub-contractor asking the main contractor for information regarding their specific part of the works.

Generally, RFIs are issued more often at the beginning of a project, such as the design or bidding stage. The inconsistencies that are addressed prior to work starting on site will help reduce delays during the construction phase. RFIs also serves as a record of communication between the involved parties regarding the information requested and provided.

This is invaluable in case of a dispute. It is important that all RFIs are accessible and archived in project folders or within your construction management software, Many RFIs when answered can lead to additional management processes such a Variation/Change Orders or Extension of Time (EOT) claims. If you’re new to the construction industry, it can take some time to learn all of the different abbreviations (there are a lot). Here are the most common ones for “Requests” with a short explanation:

Request for Proposal (RFP) – Used to request proposals from contractors or suppliers for alternative solutions or innovations to achieve the required standard (e.g. material change or alternative building process).

Request for Quotation (RFQ) – An opportunity for contractors or suppliers to cost a specific product or service.

Request for Tender (RFT) – The process for contractors or suppliers to competitively submit a detailed tender/bid proposal to supply and complete the required construction service.

RFIs are most likely created after an RFQ or RFT has been issued but can be issued before or after an RFP is made. What are RFIs commonly used for? An RFI can be issued for literally any kind of situation where clarification or additional information is required. It can be used during all phases of a project (design, tender/bidding, construction). Mostly, RFIs are used to clarify aspects of the design and/or material selection within documents such as:

Construction plansSpecificationsContract clausesBuilding standards

Setting RFI standards in your Construction Company The most significant factor is that everyone in your company must understand the importance of the RFI management process, and is aware of your company’s related policy and procedures. It is easy to have a verbal conversation with a client or contractor to seek clarification.

However, if you don’t have that information documented in black and white you may be liable for the additional costs involved in case of a dispute over what was agreed. You will need to ensure that your RFI procedures are understood and followed by the entire company, and that all conversations and clarifications are backed up with formal RFIs, and that responses are logged for future reference.

What should an RFI look like? Using a well-designed RFI template ensures that it contains all the relevant information for the project. The following are some of the crucial items to be included in your RFI template:

Project nameDate of RFIChronological number of RFIDetails of addressees and recipients of copiesSubject name or RFI titleInformation requested and whyDate response is required by (i.e. not enough to just say ASAP)Specification, drawing and/or detail number reference (if applicable)Name of the RFI’s issuerYour Company detailsDate of Response (when it is received from the addressees)

WeBuild Software RFI Tool Using technology to improve efficiency New technologies provide a great tool to improve the efficiency of construction management processes, and almost all construction management software will include a feature to manage the RFI process.

It is important to check that all the relevant information (see the above point) is included in any potential software solution. You should also ensure that the collaboration process for RFIs is effective within a potential software solution. Your teams must be able to simply send, receive, respond and close RFI notices online, and to share them with their workmates and other project stakeholders.

Effective online collaboration will prevent delays, mistakes, and overall frustration. It would also be very beneficial if parties outside your organization can access project information without having to register on your chosen software system. It is also important to use a software solution that can be easily accessed on any mobile device, which allows your team to issue new RFI notices from anywhere on the job site.

Read your Construction Contract When submitting RFIs, you should have a sound understanding of the contract that you’re working with. Be aware of how to submit RFIs under your construction contract, the response timeline, and when you can claim for delays if they occur because of a lack/delay of responses to your RFIs.

Generally, a construction contract will state that responses to RFIs are to be made within 10 working days of the receipt of the request. Conclusion Ensuring that your project teams are aware of the importance of RFIs and follow the company’s standard procedures will lead to a reduction in the risk of potential disagreements, which can lead to unforeseen costs.

Submit RFIs as soon as the need for further information is recognized.Allow for responses to be received as stated in the construction contract.Limit each RFI to a specific topic as opposed to including many different questions.Add all supporting documentation such as plans, specifications, or photos.Have a clear company RFI template and record all responses.Close RFI notices after they have been answered satisfactorily.Allow easy access to RFIs for the entire project team.

Are you looking for an RFI solution for your Construction Projects? Feel free to book a time with us and learn more about how WeBuild’s solution can help streamline and automate your workflows.

Why do we need RFI in construction?

What is an RFI in Construct ion? – In construction, the purpose of an RFI is to resolve information gaps, eliminate ambiguities, and capture and share specific decisions during the course of the project. A general contractor or subcontractor usually submits an RFI in written form to retrieve information from a design, engineering, or construction professional.

What is the difference between RFI vs RFP?

RFI vs RFP vs RFQ – What’s the difference and how should you use them? Although they seem similar, the acronyms RFI, RFP and RFQ represent different yet essential parts of the procurement process. The RFI is a request for information, the RFP is a request for proposal, and the RFQ is a request for price quotation.

1. They are official documents issued by a government contracting body that’s getting ready to purchase a product or service, but not all are suitable for every vendor to pursue.
2. It’s important to understand the role of each request and how they compare to each other, so you don’t waste time going after opportunities that don’t match your own business development priorities or capabilities.

This article explains how these requests differ, and how VT Docs automation software can help you not only to craft a response but to decide whether to respond, so you can focus your proposal team’s attention in the right places. Understand the key differences between RFI, RFP and RFQ If you find the terms confusing, you’re not the only one, and in fact, some solicitations are described incorrectly by the issuing body.

RFI – this is a request for information, a signal that the government body is probably in the market for a solution but won’t be buying imminently. After reading the responses to an RFI, the contracting authority will be better informed about the available solutions to its business problem and the competing vendors who can help them. They’ll also have a good idea of which vendors have the most insight or market knowledge in this area.RFP – this is a request for proposal and indicates that the issuer is shopping for a vendor, but they need more details before they can buy, and they’re open to new approaches or ideas. The RFP will ask vendors for their pricing and the approach they’ll take if they win the contract. The RFP will also give a sense of the deadlines and timelines that the successful bidder will need to meet.RFQ – this is a request for quotation and shows that the issuer is ready to buy now. They’ve done their research and know exactly the service or product they want, and in what quantities (or for what duration of time). They’re ready to get precise pricing and they’re not interested in hearing about new solutions they haven’t already considered.

What is an RFI who prepares it and why is it used?

An RFI is a request for information that is used in construction to clarify any uncertainties or to fill in any gaps in information that may be found in any specifications, plans, contracts, or other documents.

Is an RFI necessary?

What does RFI mean in construction? – First, what is an RFI in construction? Unlike an RFP, RFI is a request for information. It typically takes the form of a document passed between parties seeking information and those capable of providing a response. RFIs are necessary for a variety of scenarios, the most common of which involve a party (i.e. a subcontractor):

requesting clarification highlighting a potential issue with the project proposing a change

A construction RFI is not to be confused with an RFQ (request for quotation) or RFP (request for proposal), both of which constitute an invitation to participate in contract negotiations.

What comes first RFI or RFQ?

Conclusion – While the RFI, RFQ, and RFP are different in their specific functions, they’re all targeted at one main goal which is to assist in the vendor selection process. These three request documents help the procuring organization examine prospective suppliers to determine:

• which supplier understands their needs best,
• which supplier matches their needs with an ideal solution, i.e. which of the suppliers who offers the best solution to the problem at hand, and also,
• the most cost-effective option to proceed with.

Put all that together and it’s crystal clear that a combination of RFI, RFQ, and RFP combined simplifies the vendor selection process and helps the procuring organization build a long-term relationship with the vendor that’s perfect for their needs. This table represents the the main difference between RFI vs RFP vs RFQ:

	RFI	RFQ	RFP
Purpose	The aim of a RFI is to request general information regarding the procurer’s problem and how it can be solved.	The RFQ is designed to demand information about what a solution will cost, as per each supplier.	A RFP solicits for information on how a supplier intends to deliver on the job should they be chosen to carry out the task at hand.
Style	An RFI is more general, simple, and relaxed, aiming to create a warm atmosphere leading on to a relationship between procurer and vendor.	A request for quotation is in-depth, explaining exactly what the procuring organization wants so it’s easy for suppliers to offer suitable quotes.	The RFP is more formal and serious, demanding actionable information from suppliers.
Advantage	The RFI is the first touch point for building a relationship between the procurer and potential suppliers.	The RFQ creates an avenue for the procurer to get a better picture of what the solution they’re seeking will cost in real-life terms.	A RFP makes it easy to see how a potential vendor will solve a procurer’s problem if they’re eventually chosen and is critical to determining who the procurer eventually goes forward with.

RFI vs RFP vs RFQ | Differences between RFI, RFP and RFQ

What is the difference between an RFI and an RFP?

RFI vs RFP vs RFQ – What’s the difference and how should you use them? Although they seem similar, the acronyms RFI, RFP and RFQ represent different yet essential parts of the procurement process. The RFI is a request for information, the RFP is a request for proposal, and the RFQ is a request for price quotation.

They are official documents issued by a government contracting body that’s getting ready to purchase a product or service, but not all are suitable for every vendor to pursue. It’s important to understand the role of each request and how they compare to each other, so you don’t waste time going after opportunities that don’t match your own business development priorities or capabilities.

This article explains how these requests differ, and how VT Docs automation software can help you not only to craft a response but to decide whether to respond, so you can focus your proposal team’s attention in the right places. Understand the key differences between RFI, RFP and RFQ If you find the terms confusing, you’re not the only one, and in fact, some solicitations are described incorrectly by the issuing body.

RFI – this is a request for information, a signal that the government body is probably in the market for a solution but won’t be buying imminently. After reading the responses to an RFI, the contracting authority will be better informed about the available solutions to its business problem and the competing vendors who can help them. They’ll also have a good idea of which vendors have the most insight or market knowledge in this area.RFP – this is a request for proposal and indicates that the issuer is shopping for a vendor, but they need more details before they can buy, and they’re open to new approaches or ideas. The RFP will ask vendors for their pricing and the approach they’ll take if they win the contract. The RFP will also give a sense of the deadlines and timelines that the successful bidder will need to meet.RFQ – this is a request for quotation and shows that the issuer is ready to buy now. They’ve done their research and know exactly the service or product they want, and in what quantities (or for what duration of time). They’re ready to get precise pricing and they’re not interested in hearing about new solutions they haven’t already considered.

What is an RFI in healthcare?

INFORMATION REQUESTED – In addition to the general solicitation of comments above, we are also asking the following questions for the public to consider in the context of the preceding discussion within this document:

1. How can HHS continue to improve its use of resources and authorities to encourage the development and use of new medical technologies that enhance health system value?
2. How can federal medical technology research funds be better coordinated with state and private sector research to maximize value to society?
3. How do the terms and conditions of NIH research awards affect the development of innovation and what specific changes would encourage innovation?
4. Given our current policies for the management of intellectual property (e.g., the Bayh-Dole Act), what policy options or considerations need to be addressed to ensure that the United States remains competitive and can reward innovation while at the same time maximize the public health benefits of scientific knowledge and medical technology?
5. How can FDA’s practices and procedures be enhanced to further encourage innovation while ensuring safety and effectiveness?
6. How can FDA further facilitate its review of innovators’ development of new tools (e.g., biomarkers, assays) and medical technologies (e.g., information technologies) as part of FDA’s oversight of such products?
7. Are there specific CMS coverage or payment policies that should be considered to help assure timely, affordable access to effective new technologies for beneficiaries?
8. Are there specific refinements within CMS’control or that would require rulemaking to the criteria or methods used to determine eligibility for Medicare inpatient add-on payments, outpatient new medical technology Ambulatory Payment Classification payments, or pass through payments that may potentially be modified to potentially improve access to new medical technologies and provide greater value for the program and its beneficiaries (specifically, for providing care that achieves good health outcomes at the lowest possible cost)?
9. Is there research on medical technology, tools, or funding that is not currently being conducted that potentially could be conducted and/or funded by AHRQ?
10. What role should HHS play in making information regarding the cost and quality of new medical technologies available and encourage its use by healthcare providers and patients to make informed healthcare decisions?
11. How can HHS better inform the public about the risks and benefits of new medical technologies and their use to maximize value to patients?
12. To what extent should HHS participate in and fund comparative effectiveness research? What should HHS’ role be and how should the results be used?

1. Date: January 15, 2009
2. Mary M. McGeein Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
3. US Department of Health and Human Services

: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): POTENTIAL ROLES FOR HHS IN DEVELOPING A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT TO ENCOURAGE THE INNOVATION AND DIFFUSION OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES THAT ENHANCE HEALTH SYSTEM VALUE