Procurement - Document
RFI
(Request for Information)
A formal request for information from suppliers before deciding exactly what to buy
What's it for?
Collects early information from suppliers so an organisation can understand the market before running a formal buying process.
For example…
Procurement asks suppliers about features and prices before writing detailed requirements
Before writing a detailed tender, procurement sends an RFI to several vendors to understand which products could broadly meet the company's needs
Think of it like…
Walking a housing estate before booking viewings—you learn what exists before deep inspections