Give every supplier the same production problem to quote.
A manufacturing RFQ packages the technical, quality, quantity, schedule, tooling, packaging, and commercial information suppliers need to estimate how they would manufacture and deliver the required product.
A complete quote request reduces assumptions and makes supplier
Drawings & Models
Provide current drawings, digital models, revision levels, notes, tolerances, specifications, and associated technical files.
Material
Define material grade, temper, hardness, condition, resin, additives, certifications, substitutions, or approved sources where required.
Quantities
Include prototype quantity, first order, expected production releases, annual demand, and useful volume breaks.
Quality Requirements
Identify first article, sampling, critical dimensions, tests, inspection reports, traceability, or other acceptance documentation.
Tooling
Define expectations for molds, dies, fixtures, gauges, programming, ownership, storage, maintenance, and replacement.
Delivery
Include required timing, packaging, delivery location, forecast assumptions, release schedules, and shipment requirements.
Confirm technical files, revisions, quantities, material, quality, tooling, and commercial requirements before release.
Send the RFQ only to suppliers whose processes and scale reasonably match the project.
When one supplier identifies an important ambiguity, determine whether the clarification should be shared with all bidders.
Identify assumptions about materials, inspection, tooling, finishing, packaging, freight, and excluded operations.
Compare suppliers using equivalent quantities, scope, tooling, delivery, quality, and commercial assumptions.
Supplier quotes can differ because each company interpreted the RFQ differently. Before comparing totals, align assumptions and identify what each price includes.
Missing Revision
Suppliers may quote or manufacture against different versions of the same drawing or model.
No Volume Information
A supplier cannot optimize tooling, automation, material purchases, or cycle time without understanding expected demand.
Undefined Inspection
Quoting basic dimensional checks is different from quoting first articles, extensive reports, testing, and traceability.
Unclear Tool Ownership
Tooling cost is difficult to interpret if ownership, maintenance, storage, and replacement responsibilities are not defined.
Use the manufacturing RFQ checklist to verify the technical, quality, quantity, tooling, and delivery information before release.
RFQ Checklist →