An RFI (Request for Information) is a formal question you raise when a project needs clarification, such as an ambiguity in the drawings, a conflict between documents, missing information, or a coordination issue. This article covers creating a request, filling in its details, linking related requests, and sending it.
Administrators, project managers, and supervisors can create and send RFIs. Inspectors and Viewers cannot. You cannot create an RFI on a completed project.
How to create an RFI
Start on the project's RFIs page. Open the Project Group that contains your project, click the Project name, then click RFIs in the project navigation.
Click Create RFI.
In the Create New RFI dialog, enter a Subject. This is required.
Click Create RFI.
The request is created as a draft and opens on the Create Request form.
How to complete the request details
On the Create Request form, fill in the request.
Choose a Reason for Request: Ambiguity in Documents, Conflict Between Documents, Missing Information, or Coordination Issue.
Choose a Priority: High, Medium, or Low.
Pick a Desired Response Date if you have one. This is optional.
Enter a Subject/Title. This is required.
Enter the Question/Description of Issue. This is required. Include the location, the drawing or specification involved, and exactly what you need clarified.
To add more, expand the Add More section and enter a Proposed Resolution or link Related Requests. Both are optional.
Click Save and Continue.
The request stays in Draft until you send it. After you save, the Attachments section becomes available. To add drawings, photos, or documents, see Add attachments to an RFI.
How to link related requests
If a request is connected to other RFIs, you can link them while creating or editing it.
Open the RFI for editing.
Expand the Add More section.
Open Related Requests.
Use Choose Related Requests to select the RFIs you want to link.
Note: Only requests that have already been sent can be linked. Drafts do not appear in the list of requests available to link.
How to edit a draft RFI
You can edit a request only while it is in Draft, and only if your company created it.
Open the RFI from the list.
Click Edit.
Update any of the details.
Click Save and Continue.
Once a request has been sent, it can no longer be edited. You can delete a request only while it is a draft and only if your company created it.
How to submit an RFI to the CEI (contractor)
If you are a contractor, you send a draft to the CEI.
Open your draft RFI.
Review the details. Click Edit if you need to change anything.
Click Submit to CEI.
In the Submit RFI to CEI dialog, confirm.
The request moves to Request Submitted and becomes visible to the CEI. The assigned CEI project managers receive an email. This cannot be undone.
How to publish an RFI to a contractor (CEI)
When a CEI user raises an RFI to request information from a contractor, you publish it.
Open your draft RFI.
Click Publish.
In the Publish RFI dialog, confirm.
The request becomes visible to the contractor, and the contractor receives an email.
Troubleshooting
I cannot see the Create RFI button. Check that you have a role that can create requests (Administrator, Project Manager, or Supervisor). Also check whether the project is completed, since completed projects do not allow new requests.
The Attachments section is not showing. Attachments become available after you first save the request with Save and Continue. Save the draft, then add attachments.
I cannot edit a request. You can edit a request only while it is a draft, and only drafts your own company created.
I do not see a Submit to CEI or Publish button. Only draft requests can be sent, and the button depends on your company. Contractors see Submit to CEI. CEI users see Publish on requests their own company created.
Frequently asked questions
When should I create an RFI?
Create an RFI whenever you need a formal, documented answer about the contract documents, such as an ambiguity in the drawings, a conflict between documents, missing information, or a coordination question. The workflow keeps a record of the question and the answer.
Who can create an RFI?
Contractors and CEI users with an appropriate role can create RFIs (Administrator, Project Manager, or Supervisor). Inspectors and Viewers cannot.
Can the CEI raise an RFI, not just answer one?
Yes. A CEI user can create a request and use Publish to send it to a contractor.
Can I edit a request after I send it?
No. You can edit a request only while it is a draft. After it is sent, the details are locked so the record stays accurate.
Can I create an RFI on a completed project?
No. Once a project is completed, new requests cannot be created.
For all RFI tasks, see the Requests for Information (RFIs) overview.