The single biggest lever on how fast an orthopedic prototype quote comes back isn't how it's submitted — email, contact form, phone call all work — it's how complete the information is on the first pass. A quote request missing material, quantity or tolerance detail usually means a follow-up email before pricing can even start.

What a complete RFQ actually needs

  • CAD files or a part drawing
  • Quantity needed
  • Preferred material, if known
  • Surface finish or coating requirements
  • Critical tolerances or inspection needs
  • Fit / assembly check requirements
  • Target delivery date

Not every field needs a final answer — “material TBD, help me narrow it down” is a completely normal line in an RFQ. What matters is flagging what's still open rather than leaving it blank and assuming it'll come up later.

Why tolerance and finish call-outs matter most

Of that list, tolerance and finish requirements have the biggest effect on process selection and cost — see CNC machining tolerances and the surface finishing guide for what each callout actually implies for lead time.

A checklist, not a form

Lab Ready built a downloadable RFQ checklist (PDF) covering this exact list, meant to be filled out once and reused for every quote request — to a single shop or several at once. Sending it alongside CAD, or simply emailing the project details directly, both work equally well; the goal is complete information on the first message, not a specific format.