> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.acelabusa.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # RFI Overview > Request product data from manufacturers directly from your schedule, and get their answers back in the same schedule automatically. An **RFI (Request for Information)** lets you ask one or more manufacturers for specific product data, directly from a project schedule. Instead of chasing answers over email, you select products in a schedule view, pick the exact fields you need filled in, and send a structured request. Each manufacturer answers in a grid that mirrors your schedule. When they submit, their answers flow **back into your schedule automatically**. ## How it works **1. Select products in your schedule** Choose the rows you want answers about in any schedule view, then click **Send RFIs** in the schedule toolbar. **2. Build your request** A five-step wizard walks you through confirming products, choosing fields, picking recipients and a deadline, adding a message and attachments, and reviewing. ![Send RFI wizard on the Products step, showing products grouped by manufacturer and a summary reading 15 products, 2 manufacturers, 2 RFIs will be sent](https://mintcdn.com/acelab/iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd/images/rfi/rfi-send-step1-products.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd\&q=85\&s=03b09f3e9f5eb7963ef3d2c9452e3665) The Send RFI wizard groups your selected products by manufacturer and shows how many RFIs will be sent. **3. Send** Acelab sends one RFI to each manufacturer, containing only the products they make. ![Send RFI confirmation dialog showing the number of manufacturers and products, a warning that the update cannot be undone, and a Don't show this warning again checkbox](https://mintcdn.com/acelab/iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd/images/rfi/rfi-send-presend-warning.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd\&q=85\&s=abba889da2335231634ef6c5d5fac770) Before sending, Acelab confirms how many manufacturers and products are included. **4. The manufacturer responds** The manufacturer's rep fills in the requested fields and submits. They see your current values as a reference, so they only change what needs updating. ![RFI response grid showing the architect's current values as muted italic text and dashed option chips, with a Submit Response button in the header](https://mintcdn.com/acelab/iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd/images/rfi/rfi-response-grid-placeholders.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd\&q=85\&s=a8540efa3be40ffde2748ddaf7c87f13) The manufacturer's response grid mirrors your schedule, with your current values shown in muted text. **5. Answers land in your schedule** Submitted answers are written into the exact cells you asked about, and you receive a PDF receipt of the response. A response card also appears in your conversation with the manufacturer. ![Close-up of a schedule cell with a green left-edge marker indicating the value came from an RFI response](https://mintcdn.com/acelab/iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd/images/rfi/schedule-responded-indicator.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd\&q=85\&s=e7fe7cc17e902d9e6ec1a395a5ad9ef7) A green marker on a schedule cell shows its value came from a manufacturer's RFI response. ## Key things to know * **One send can create several RFIs.** If your selection includes products from three manufacturers, you send three RFIs. Each gets its own number (`RFI-001`, `RFI-002`, and so on), recipient, and response. Numbers are sequential across the whole project. * **An RFI is a snapshot.** The products, fields, and project details the manufacturer sees are frozen when you send. Editing your schedule afterward doesn't change what you asked. * **Every RFI has a deadline.** If the manufacturer doesn't respond in time, the RFI becomes overdue and locks until you extend the deadline. * **Responses can't be undone.** When a manufacturer submits, their answers replace your values in the fields they changed. * **Everything is documented.** You get a PDF receipt of your request when you send and a PDF receipt of the response when the manufacturer submits. ## RFI statuses | Status | Meaning | | - | - | | **Draft** | You started an RFI but haven't sent it yet. Only you can see it. | | **Submitted** | Sent to the manufacturer. They haven't started answering yet. | | **In Progress** | The manufacturer has started answering but hasn't submitted. | | **Completed** | The manufacturer submitted, and the answers were applied to your schedule. | | **Closed** | Acelab closed the RFI because the manufacturer didn't respond. | | **Overdue** | The deadline passed before the manufacturer submitted. Shown as a badge alongside the status. | ![Project RFIs dashboard table listing RFIs with In Progress, Overdue, Completed and Submitted statuses](https://mintcdn.com/acelab/iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd/images/rfi/rfi-architect-dashboard-table.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=iwPsIU5bVdpn_oQd\&q=85\&s=481866e40eaf236427818697264a2396) Track the status of every RFI on the project's RFIs dashboard. ## When a manufacturer isn't on Acelab If a manufacturer has no rep available to you on Acelab, your RFI still goes out. It's routed to **Acelab Connection**, a team at Acelab that reaches out to the manufacturer for you. They relay information back in the RFI conversation and, when possible, connect the RFI to a rep who can answer it directly. ## Learn more > [card] [Sending an RFI](https://docs.acelabusa.com/help-center/working-on-projects/rfi/sending-an-rfi.md) > > Build and send an RFI from your schedule. > [card] [Tracking RFIs](https://docs.acelabusa.com/help-center/working-on-projects/rfi/tracking-rfis.md) > > Follow your RFIs on the project dashboard. > [card] [RFI responses in your schedule](https://docs.acelabusa.com/help-center/working-on-projects/rfi/rfi-responses-in-your-schedule.md) > > See how answers are applied to your schedule. > [card] [RFI roles and permissions](https://docs.acelabusa.com/help-center/working-on-projects/rfi/rfi-roles-and-permissions.md) > > Find out who on your team can send RFIs.