TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: RFI and RFT From:Michael Lewis <lewism -at- BRANDLE -dot- COM -dot- AU> Date:Thu, 8 Jan 1998 12:17:53 +1100
Parker, Cassandra M. (EXCH) wrote:
> I need some assistance on RFT's and RFI's.
RFT: Request for Tender. RFI: Request for Information.
Generally, an RFI expects fairly informal responses, and happens fairly
early in your planning process -- it helps you find out "what's out
there". An RFT expects very formal responses, and comes late -- you are
actually asking people to make commitments. There's a major difference
in focus, of course: an RFI is a fishing expedition so that you can work
out what you want; an RFT contains a fairly complete spec of what you've
already decided you want -- a tender in response should either comply
with every detail of your spec, offer an equivalent alternative, of
explain its way out of the problem.
--
Michael Lewis
Brandle Pty Limited, Sydney, Australia
PO Box 1249, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012
Tel +61-2-9310-2224 ... Fax +61-2-9310-5056