PCB / PCBA RFQ preparation checklist

Provide the layer data and board outline in Gerber or an agreed ODB++ export, with a file manifest and units.

Quote impact: The geometry defines the board to be quoted; missing layers or an unclear outline leave tooling and processing assumptions unresolved.

Check for: Sending a screenshot, an incomplete export or files from different revisions instead of a coherent manufacturing package.

Include drill files and tool information; distinguish plated and non-plated holes and identify slots, units and coordinate origin.

Quote impact: Hole types and dimensions affect drilling, plating and inspection scope.

Check for: Omitting the drill file or assuming the recipient can infer slot and plating requirements from copper layers.

Specify the layer order, material requirements, finished thickness, copper, surface finish, dimensions and critical tolerances. Identify controlled-impedance requirements and panel constraints where relevant.

Quote impact: Materials, stackup and acceptance limits determine the process and verification work included in the quote.

Check for: Giving conflicting notes in the drawing and stackup, or using an impedance target without identifying the affected nets and reference layers.

Provide the proposed panel drawing or assign panel design ownership. Identify rails, tooling holes, fiducials, separation method and component clearance constraints; request review before release.

Quote impact: Panel layout affects material use, assembly support and depanelization work.

Check for: Assuming a board outline defines an assembly-ready panel or leaving separation and edge-clearance requirements unstated.

List manufacturer names, manufacturer part numbers (MPNs), reference designators, quantities per board and do-not-fit items. Identify approved alternatives separately from proposed substitutions.

Quote impact: Exact parts and approved alternatives determine sourcing scope and material assumptions.

Check for: Using only a distributor code or generic value, or listing an alternate without an approval status.

Provide component reference, X/Y position, rotation and board side. State units, origin and orientation conventions; match the placement list to the BOM.

Quote impact: Placement data supports assembly programming and exposes discrepancies that need engineering review.

Check for: Mixing coordinate origins or rotations, or including references that are absent from the released BOM.

Show orientation, polarity, do-not-fit positions, fiducials and mechanical or cable instructions. Include solder-paste layers and stencil requirements; specify conformal coating and masking areas if required.

Quote impact: Stencil preparation, coating and work beyond automated placement change the assembly scope.

Check for: Assuming placement data defines polarity, paste apertures, coating exclusions or all manual assembly steps.

Separate inspection from functional testing. Supply versioned firmware or programming files, programming steps, fixtures, test procedure, pass/fail criteria and reports; identify who supplies each input.

Quote impact: Fixture preparation, programming and test execution change the work that must be quoted.

Check for: Requesting a tested board without a test procedure or measurable pass/fail criteria.

State the board or assembled-unit count for each requested quote tier. Distinguish the current build from possible repeat orders and state whether quantities refer to boards or panels.

Quote impact: Build quantities change material purchasing, setup allocation and packaging assumptions.

Check for: Treating a forecast as a committed order or leaving the unit of quantity ambiguous.

Give the desired delivery date and destination, expected file-release date and any review milestones. Mark which dates are flexible.

Quote impact: The recipient needs to assess material availability, review work and transport against the requested timing.

Check for: Confusing dispatch with arrival, or treating a requested date as an agreed delivery commitment.

State the requested IPC class and the applicable standard and revision on the drawing or purchase requirements. If undecided, record it as an open question.

Quote impact: Acceptance requirements affect process review, inspection and documentation scope; feasibility must be confirmed for the project.

Check for: Writing Class 3 without identifying the applicable standard, or assuming a class selection confirms supplier capability.

Identify turnkey, consigned or mixed supply per BOM line. Assign purchasing, substitution approval, traceability records, excess material and shortage decisions to named owners.

Quote impact: Responsibility for materials determines which purchasing and handling work belongs in the quote.

Check for: Marking parts customer-supplied without specifying quantities, condition, packaging or when they will be available.

Use a project identifier and revision across the BOM, drawings and manufacturing files. Include a manifest, open-item list and contact authorized to approve changes.

Quote impact: A stable baseline defines what is priced and allows engineering changes to be evaluated separately.

Check for: Sending several folders called final without identifying which files are approved for quotation or production.

State the destination country, delivery location, packaging needs and requested shipping or export documents. Confirm who supplies product descriptions and any required classification information.

Quote impact: Packing, transport and documentation responsibilities affect the quoted delivery scope.

Check for: Requesting delivered pricing without a destination or assuming every document is automatically included.

Flag a wish to discuss an NDA before sharing proprietary files. Confirm the recipient, contracting and manufacturing entities, secure transfer channel and handling arrangements; request applicable original certificates or reports if needed.

Quote impact: Confidentiality and evidence review may need to happen before the recipient can assess the complete package.

Check for: Uploading confidential files before confirming arrangements, or treating an NDA checkbox as an executed agreement.

Specify ESD protection, moisture-sensitive handling where applicable, unit or panel packing, labels and traceability identifiers. Identify returnable packaging or customer-supplied packing materials.

Quote impact: Protection, labeling and packing instructions define handling and delivery work.

Check for: Requesting generic packaging without defining protection, identification or how boards should be separated.