Subject: RFQ - [part name] - [quantity] pcs - [material] Part: [short description, for example 6061-T6 pump bracket, milled, features on two faces] Attached: [STEP file] [PDF drawing] [revision number] Material: [grade and condition, for example 6061-T6] Local equivalent grade acceptable: [yes / no] Mill certificate required: [no / yes, 3.1 to a named heat] Quantity this order: [number] Expected per year: [number or unknown] Please also price: [2x this quantity] so I can see the price break Critical features: [for example bore A 25 H7, true position 0.1 mm on the four M6 holes to datum A-B] General tolerance: [for example ISO 2768-mK] Surface finish: [for example as machined Ra 3.2, no coating] Finishing / coating: [none, or process + standard + colour + thickness + masking] Needed in hand by: [real date] Destination country: [country] Inspection required: [none / dimensional report on critical features / full report / third party] Please include in the quote: 1. Piece price at the quantity above and at double it 2. One-off costs listed separately (programming, fixture, first article) 3. Lead time, and what starts the clock (purchase order, drawing approval or material arrival) 4. What documents come with the parts 5. One suggestion that would make this part cheaper to machine Contact: [name] [company] [email]
Square brackets are yours to fill. Delete the lines that do not apply to your part rather than leaving them empty, because an empty line reads as a missing answer.
Why each line is there
- Drawing and revisionA STEP file for geometry and a PDF for tolerances and notes. Naming the revision in the subject line prevents the most common dispute in machining.
- Material and substitution ruleGrade, condition and whether a local equivalent is acceptable. This one line can move a quote by two weeks.
- Quantity, and double itAsking for the price at twice the quantity shows how much of the price is setup, which tells you whether to order more now.
- Critical features onlyTwo to five callouts plus a general tolerance note. A blanket tight tolerance is the most expensive line most drawings carry.
- Finish with a standardProcess, standard, class, thickness, colour and masking. Without these, three quotes mean three different parts.
- A real dateNot as soon as possible. A shop that knows the date is real will tell you whether it is possible.
- InspectionSay it up front and it is quoted in. Requested after machining, it costs more and delays shipment.
- The five answers you want backPrice at two quantities, one-off costs separately, lead time with its starting point, documents included and one suggestion to make the part cheaper.
Want it checked before you send it?
The readiness check scores a request against the same lines and tells you what is still missing. The reasoning behind the template is in the guide on what to put in an RFQ.