RFI Questions to Ask Vendors
Strategic questions to evaluate vendors through Request for Information (RFI) process, assess capabilities, and identify the best partners for your business needs.
1What is your company's background and experience in this industry?
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What is your company's background and experience in this industry?
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Why this works
Establishes credibility and helps you understand their expertise and track record in your specific industry or market.
2What are your core capabilities and services?
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What are your core capabilities and services?
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Why this works
Clarifies what services they offer and helps you assess if they can meet your specific business requirements.
3What is your company's size and organizational structure?
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What is your company's size and organizational structure?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their capacity, resources, and how they're organized to serve clients effectively.
4What are your key differentiators and competitive advantages?
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What are your key differentiators and competitive advantages?
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Why this works
Reveals what makes them unique and helps you understand why you should choose them over competitors.
5What is your approach to quality assurance and service delivery?
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What is your approach to quality assurance and service delivery?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to quality and helps you understand how they ensure consistent, high-quality service.
6What are your pricing models and fee structures?
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What are your pricing models and fee structures?
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Why this works
Clarifies their pricing approach and helps you understand the cost structure and value proposition.
7What are your typical project timelines and delivery schedules?
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What are your typical project timelines and delivery schedules?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their capacity and ability to meet your timeline requirements.
8What are your client references and case studies?
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What are your client references and case studies?
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Why this works
Provides social proof and helps you understand their track record with similar clients and projects.
9What are your technology capabilities and tools?
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What are your technology capabilities and tools?
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Why this works
Shows their technical capabilities and helps you understand if they have the right tools and technology for your needs.
10What are your compliance and certification requirements?
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What are your compliance and certification requirements?
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Why this works
Clarifies their compliance status and helps you understand if they meet your regulatory and certification requirements.
11What are your risk management and insurance coverage?
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What are your risk management and insurance coverage?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to risk management and helps you understand their insurance coverage and liability protection.
12What are your communication and reporting processes?
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What are your communication and reporting processes?
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Why this works
Clarifies how they communicate with clients and helps you understand their reporting and update processes.
13What are your scalability and growth capabilities?
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What are your scalability and growth capabilities?
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Why this works
Shows their ability to scale with your business and helps you understand if they can support your growth.
14What are your innovation and continuous improvement approaches?
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What are your innovation and continuous improvement approaches?
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Why this works
Reveals their commitment to innovation and helps you understand how they stay current and improve their services.
15What are your sustainability and environmental practices?
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What are your sustainability and environmental practices?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to sustainability and helps you understand their environmental practices and policies.
16What are your data security and privacy protection measures?
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What are your data security and privacy protection measures?
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Why this works
Clarifies their approach to data security and helps you understand how they protect sensitive information.
17What are your change management and flexibility capabilities?
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What are your change management and flexibility capabilities?
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Why this works
Shows their ability to adapt to changes and helps you understand how they handle evolving requirements.
18What are your performance metrics and success criteria?
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What are your performance metrics and success criteria?
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Why this works
Clarifies how they measure success and helps you understand their performance standards and expectations.
19What are your dispute resolution and conflict management processes?
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What are your dispute resolution and conflict management processes?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to handling conflicts and helps you understand how they resolve disputes and issues.
20What are your long-term partnership and relationship management approaches?
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What are your long-term partnership and relationship management approaches?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to building long-term relationships and helps you understand their partnership philosophy.
Best Practices for RFI Vendor Evaluation
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Define Clear Requirements
Clearly define your requirements and expectations before sending the RFI to ensure vendors understand what you're looking for.
Ask Specific Questions
Ask specific questions that help you evaluate vendors objectively and compare them effectively.
Follow Up and Clarify
Follow up on responses and ask clarifying questions to ensure you fully understand each vendor's capabilities and approach.
Question Sequences
The Capability Assessment
The Quality and Compliance Evaluation
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Vague Questions
Avoid generic questions that don't help you evaluate vendors effectively. Ask specific questions that reveal their capabilities and approach.
Avoid Focusing Only on Price
While cost is important, focus on value, quality, and fit. The cheapest option may not be the best choice for your needs.
Don't Skip Reference Checks
Always check references and case studies to verify vendor claims and understand their track record with similar clients.