Digital RFI's

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message John Hunter Senior Member Username: johnhunter Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 04:01 pm:    There may have been a thread on this topic elsewhere that I haven't found, but does anyone have any advice regarding implementation of digital RFI's? Is it as simple as substituting a PDF form for the paper-and-pencil form, or is there more to it? We don't have clients who are inclined towards implementing Buzzsaw or equal, so we're trying to put an approach together here that doesn't rely on 3rd party vendors. Thanks. Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 202 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 05:34 pm:    At the moment, none of my projects are using an Extranet system, yet all my RFI's come electronically. Some are in Word form with "data fields" that I am allowed to edit, some are Excel forms, but most are simple PDF's. The best form IMHO is a "live PDF" created directly from Word, Excel, or a PM software package. This creates a very clean PDF file and the text remains selectable, which allows me to quickly cut and paste info into my RFI tracking system. I use Bluebeam or Acrobat to reply directly on the PDF by composing the response in Word (in a font of my choice ~ 12pt Arial), and then paste it onto the PDF. I then simultaneously paste my text response into my tracking system. I send the completed RFI back as an email attachment, I print the final RFI and the email and file both as a hardcopy response and transmittal. From start to finish, it takes me about 2 minutes for all the above, not including developing the response of course! John Hunter Senior Member Username: johnhunter Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 03:13 pm:    Nathan - Does your Division 1 outline the process for submitting in any detail, i.e., "Request for Interpretation to be emailed to . . ." or do you deal with the particulars in the preconstruction conference? Also, do you provide the template or do you allow the Contractor to develop it? Thanks. Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 203 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 03:32 pm:    Our Div1 defines the flow of the RFI, but not the mechanism. Most of my contractors use software based project management programs that have their own forms. I require certain features to be on the RFI (such as a suggestion line) and to omit the default check boxes for time and cost impact (how do they know, if I haven't even answered yet?), and I like to have the RFI number and subject line in the upper right hand corner to it's easy to find when thumbing through a stack of them (or in a binder), but the form itself is theirs. IF they don't have one, or don't have a preference, I am quite happy to provide one!