Ned is the program manager for his organization and he’s considering some new materials for his program. He and his team have never worked with these materials before and he wants to ask the vendor for some additional information, a demon, and even some samples. What type of a document should Ned send to the vendor?

A.
IFB

B.
RFI

C.
RFP

D.
RFQ

Explanation:

Ned should send an RFI – a request for information document. An RFI simply asks the vendor for more information, there’s no promises of purchasing.

Answer option D is incorrect. An RFQ is a request for quote, something Ned doesn’t want to do just yet.

Answer option A is incorrect. An IFB is an invitation to bid; a bid and a quote or both are the same type of document and suggest that Ned wants to purchase the materials based on price.

Answer option C is incorrect. An RFP is a request for proposal; an RFP asks the vendor to create a detailed plan of the materials or services that can be implemented for Ned.

Reference: The Standard for Program Management and The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, fourth edition.