Request for Information (RFI)

A procurement request a buyer uses to gather general, nonbinding information from prospective sellers about their products, services, and capabilities.

Key Points

  • Used early in procurement to understand the market and refine requirements.
  • Not a bid or proposal request; typically does not ask for pricing or detailed solutions.
  • Responses describe seller capabilities, experience, and high-level approaches.
  • Often leads to a follow-on RFQ or RFP and does not create a contractual obligation.

Example

A project manager planning a new data analytics platform sends an RFI to several vendors to learn what data integration options, security certifications, and support models they offer. Based on the responses, the team refines requirements and then issues an RFP to a shortlist.

PMP Example Question

You are still shaping project requirements and want to learn what capabilities exist in the marketplace without requesting pricing. Which document should you issue?

  1. Request for Information (RFI)
  2. Request for Quotation (RFQ)
  3. Request for Proposal (RFP)
  4. Statement of Work (SOW)

Correct Answer: A — RFI, a request for information from potential sellers

Explanation: An RFI gathers general, nonbinding information about vendor capabilities and offerings; RFQs and RFPs seek pricing or detailed solutions, and an SOW describes work to be performed.

Leadership for Project Managers Course

Lead with clarity, confidence, and real impact. This Leadership for Project Managers course turns day-to-day challenges—unclear priorities, tough stakeholders, and cross-functional friction—into opportunities to guide teams and deliver outcomes that matter.

You’ll learn practical leadership skills tailored to project realities: setting direction without overcontrol, creating alignment across functions, and building commitment even when authority is limited. We go beyond theory with tools you can use immediately—one-sentence visioning, stakeholder influence maps, decision framing, and feedback scripts that actually land.

Expect hands-on frameworks, real-world examples, and guided practice to prepare for tough moments—executive readouts, resistance from stakeholders, and high-stakes negotiations. Downloadable templates and checklists keep everything actionable when the pace gets intense.

Ready to influence without waiting for a bigger title? Join a community of ambitious PMs, sharpen your edge, and deliver with purpose—project after project.



Build complete project plans in minutes with AI

Stop spending hours on documentation. Learn how to use AI to create charters, WBS, schedules, risk registers, and executive reports faster—while staying fully in control. This course gives you ready-to-use prompt templates and practical workflows based on real project work. No guesswork, no fluff—just tools you can apply immediately. Backed by Udemy’s 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can start risk-free.

Learn More