# What is an RFI? An RFI (request for information) is a market research notice an agency posts to learn what the market can offer before it decides how to buy; responses are not offers and the agency awards nothing from them. Agencies use RFIs to test whether a requirement can be met commercially, to refine a draft statement of work, or to gauge small business capability before deciding on a set-aside.Checked on 2026-11-12.Official source: [FAR 15.201(e)](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.201) | Term | RFI | | --- | --- | | Source | FAR 15.201(e) | ## RFI meaning An RFI (request for information) is a market research notice an agency posts to learn what the market can offer before it decides how to buy; responses are not offers and the agency awards nothing from them.Agencies use RFIs to test whether a requirement can be met commercially, to refine a draft statement of work, or to gauge small business capability before deciding on a set-aside. A response is usually a short capability statement plus answers to the agency's questions. Nothing is awarded from an RFI, but the answers shape the solicitation that follows. ## Questions Should a small business answer an RFI?Often yes: it is how an agency learns there are capable small firms, which can lead it to set the later solicitation aside.Are RFI responses public?No. They go to the contracting office and are not posted on SAM.gov. ## Related - [Sources sought](https://samgovapi.io/glossary/sources-sought) - [Opportunity search](https://samgovapi.io/opportunity-search) - [Glossary](https://samgovapi.io/glossary)Updated 2026-11-12. Sources checked 2026-11-12.Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

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