Section 12: Request for Information (RFI)

1. Purpose of request for information.
   1. The purpose of a request for information is to:
      1. Obtain information, comments, or suggestions from potential bidders or offeror before issuing an invitation for bid or request for proposal
      2. Determine whether to issue an invitation for bid or a request for proposal; and
      3. Generate interest in a potential invitation for bid or a request for proposal.
   2. A request for information may be useful in order to:
      1. Prepare to issue an invitation for bid or request for proposal for an unfamiliar or complex procurement.
      2. Determine the market availability of a procurement item; or
      3. Determine best practices, industry standards, performance standards, product specifications, and innovations relating to a procurement item.
2. Request for information and response is nonbinding.
   1. A request for information is not a procurement process and may not be used to make a purchase or enter into a contract.
   2. A response to a request for information is not an offer and may not be accepted to form a binding contract.
3. Contents of request for information. 
   1. A request for information may seek a wide range of information, including:
      1. Availability of a procurement item.
      2. Delivery schedules.
      3. Industry standards and practices.
      4. Product specifications.
      5. Training.
      6. New technologies.
      7. Capabilities of potential providers of a procurement item; and
      8. Alternate solutions.
4. Protected information.
   1. Information submitted to or by a governmental entity in response to a request for information is protected under this procedure. (Reference: Utah Code 63G-2-305 Government Records Access and Management Act – Protected Records).