Prepare a better RFQ

The RFQ preparation guide

1. 01

   Start with the drawing, not the part name

   A 2D drawing (PDF) with tolerances, datums, and critical features is the single most valuable document in an RFQ. Pair it with a 3D model (STEP) at the same revision. A drawing that identifies which dimensions actually matter lets a manufacturer quote tight where it counts and economical where it does not.

2. 02

   State the material exactly

   Alloy, temper, and form, not just “aluminum.” Material grade drives price, machinability, achievable finish, and lead time. If material certificates are required, say so up front; sourcing certified stock is a different supply chain than commodity stock.

3. 03

   Give quantities in layers

   Prototype count, first production run, and estimated annual volume are three different quotes. Layered quantities let a manufacturer price tooling, setup, and repeatability honestly instead of padding a single number.

4. 04

   Call out finishes completely

   Finish specifications need class, color, thickness, and masking callouts where applicable. “Anodize” is ambiguous; a complete callout is quotable. Include cosmetic expectations for visible surfaces.

5. 05

   Declare documentation requirements early

   First-article inspection reports, material and finish certificates, and traceability requirements add real work. Declared at RFQ, they are quoted as scope. Discovered later, they become delays and change orders.

6. 06

   Share the real timeline

   A genuine line-down emergency and a planning-stage budget check get different answers. Honest timing lets a manufacturer commit to dates it can hold, and decline work it cannot, before you are exposed.