Definition
An RFI is an early-stage procurement document that gathers high-level information from potential vendors to shape requirements and a shortlist before a formal RFP.
An RFI is for learning, not buying: it surfaces what's possible in the market and narrows the field. Keep it lightweight - its job is to inform the RFP that follows, not to commit you to anything.
Go deeperHow to write a software RFP that gets comparable bidsRelated terms
Benchside turns rfi into the exact questions, exclusions, and lock-in math for your specific vendor - your first project is free.