The Request for Information RFI 122808 L 6

The Request for Information (RFI) 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 1

Class outline o o What is a Request for Information? Places where a RFI is included in the process. o An outline for a RFI Example o Ref: Wikipedia, o 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 2

What is it? o o A request for information (RFI) is a standard business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers. Normally it follows a format that can be used for comparative purposes. An RFI is primarily used to gather information to help make a decision on what steps to take next. 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 3

In the case of a R&D proposal o o Situation: You work for a company about to write a proposal in response to a solicitation or project description. You have reviewed the description of the project and what the organization wants done. But all the details are not necessarily detailed. What to do? n n Make assumptions? Ask for more exact specifications of what is desired. 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 4

In real life!!! o o Government SBIR/STTRs – DARPA, DOD, USAF, US Army, US Navy, … There is a formal process here. n n The projects are posted to the website There is a specified period to contact the project point of contact and ask questions about the project. Your questions must be worded very precisely and only ask for clarification of the specifications. Asking if a given solution is desired does not get answered. 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 5

On your project o o o In your group meetings pick a project to pursue in this class. The project may be the one you pursue in ECE 682 or one for this class. What has been specified so far? What holes are there in the specification? What questions would fill in those gaps in the specification? Those are your questions for your RFI 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 6

RFI templates o o o RFIs are a formal contract process document In many cases there is a precise document format to be followed. In the case of the SBIR/STTR there is not a specified format but in many fields there is. n n Construction Some business concerns 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 7

Group Assignments o o o Groups have been formed Meet with your group Write up a “Team” agreement sheet that all team members sign and get a copy of. n n n Includes contact information Responsibilities Intent/ability to meet outside of class – pick a meeting time or two that all can make Pick a Team Name - cannot be Buckeyes Turn in copy of signed agreement Monday 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 8

RFI assignment o o o Prepare a RFI for the project your group will undertake. Format is not specified but this is a formal business correspondence. So n n n Formal business letter format State the specification of the problem/project as you understand it List the specific points that you wish clarified 12/28/08 - L 6 Processes Copyright 2009 - Joanne De. Groat, ECE, OSU 9