RFQ Readiness Checker: Is Your Package Ready to Send?

Sending an incomplete RFQ is one of the most predictable ways to get a slow, padded, or incomparable quote. Suppliers who receive a package with open questions either price conservatively to cover what they’re guessing, fire back a list of clarifications, or skip the inquiry entirely. This checklist is the five-minute gate you run before sending, not an exhaustive guide, but a reliable catch for the gaps that cost time most often. Use the RFQ Template for the full detail; use this page to confirm you’re ready before the email goes out. Prefer ticking boxes and getting a score? The RFQ Readiness Scorer is the interactive version of this checklist.

Files

• 3D CAD file attached: STEP (.step / .stp) preferred; native CAD acceptable if the supplier confirmed format compatibility
• 2D drawing included if any dimension has a tolerance that matters, not just “by drawing”
• Wall thickness, draft, and undercuts visible in the model or flagged in a note (avoids a DFM question on day one)
• Revision is current, the file and drawing are the same revision

Material

• Resin family and grade specified (not just “ABS” or “nylon”, include the modifier or filler if it matters)
• Acceptable substitutes noted if the first-choice grade has lead-time or cost risk
• Color requirement stated: as-molded (unpigmented), natural, or a specific color with a standard you’ll supply or they’ll match
• Regulatory requirements noted if applicable: food contact, medical, RoHS, flame rating

Volume and Timeline

• Estimated annual usage (EAU) given, the quantity a supplier prices tooling cavitation against
• First order quantity given, the parts you actually need in the first run
• Target date for first samples (T1) and for production parts stated separately
• Whether this is prototype, bridge, or production intent stated. It changes the tooling recommendation

Tolerances and Quality

• Critical dimensions flagged on the drawing with tolerances (general tolerance block is not enough for features that matter)
• Cosmetic requirements stated: surface finish, texture, color limits, acceptable witness marks, and which faces are A-surface
• Inspection standard or acceptance criteria noted, even a brief “per IPC-A-610” or “visual: no marks on face A” is better than silence
• Part classification stated if relevant: structural, cosmetic, functional, medical, food-contact, affects how suppliers qualify

Tooling Scope

• Tooling ownership stated: who owns the tool and where it will be held
• Whether you want a quote for tooling only, parts only, or both
• Target tooling budget range included if you have one. It constrains proposals to realistic options
• Cavity count preference noted if you have a view (single vs. multi-cavity), or explicitly left to the supplier

Commercial Terms

• Incoterms and delivery destination stated for offshore quotes (DDP, FOB, etc.)
• Payment terms requirement stated if non-standard
• NDA status noted if proprietary geometry is involved, some suppliers won’t quote without one in place first
• Whether you want pricing broken out (tooling, piece price, secondary ops) or a lump sum

The Decision

• Send, all sections complete; supplier can quote without a clarification round
• Send with flagged gaps, attach a cover note listing what’s open and why, so suppliers can quote conditionally rather than stalling
• Hold, missing files, material, or volume makes a useful quote impossible; get those first

An incomplete RFQ doesn’t just slow the quote. It changes the quote. Every assumption the supplier has to make is priced conservatively, and conservatively-priced quotes don’t compare to ones with clear scope. The five minutes this checklist takes is usually cheaper than the back-and-forth it prevents.

Evidence Box

This buyer resource was developed from common injection molding sourcing patterns and buyer-side RFQ experience. Supplier requirements vary; some will quote from less, others will ask for more. Use this checklist as a baseline, not a guarantee that your package is complete for every supplier.

This page is a buyer-side preparation aid, not a quote-matching service or supplier directory.

Related PTA Resources

• Injection Molding RFQ Template
• Supplier Capability Checklist
• Plastic Part Design for Manufacturing
• Mold and Part Cost Breakdown

Disclaimer

PlasticsTechnologyAlliance.com is an independent buyer resource. It does not manufacture parts, match suppliers, or guarantee quotes. RFQ requirements vary by supplier, part type, and industry, verify with your specific suppliers what they need before sending.