Request for information
RFI / RFI
A request for information is a structured market engagement that asks potential suppliers to share capability, options, indicative costs or market intelligence before a formal sourcing decision is made.
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Simply put
What it means in ordinary work
An RFI helps the buyer learn what the market can offer. It is usually not a binding offer process and it should not be presented as an award mechanism.
Why it matters
Early market insight can improve requirements, reveal alternatives and reduce the risk of designing a tender around outdated assumptions.
A hypothetical in practice
A hypothetical hospital issues an RFI about equipment tracking. Suppliers describe passive tags, active tags and camera-based options, helping the buyer separate mandatory clinical needs from desirable features before drafting an RFP.
Common pitfalls
Using an RFI to collect supplier effort without a realistic opportunity can damage market trust.
Treating every RFI response as verified fact is unsafe. Check claims and separate market input from the evaluation record.
Regional lens
How this lands where you work
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As-of date for date-sensitive regional content: 5 November 2026. Read the review policy.