RFQ OPERATIONS FOR SMALL MACHINE SHOPS

Turn messy RFQs into quote-ready packets.

Forward the customer email, prints and files. RFQ Relay returns a structured packet with part details, quantity breaks, revision checks and missing-information flags so your estimator can move straight into pricing.

Run 10 RFQs for $249 See before / after

Human reviewedNo black-box quote sent to your customer

Estimator stays in controlYou own cycle time, pricing and margin

NDA availableStart with old RFQs before live work

RFQ RELAY / LIVE PREVIEW

INCOMING

Customer RFQ

7 PDF drawings
5 STEP files
2 quantity breaks
1 missing finish spec

→

OUTPUT

Quote-ready packet

Parts + revisions organized
Material + finish matrix
Missing-info questions listed
Ready for estimator review

Parts7

Flags2

CAD Files5 / 7

StatusReady

Built for overflow Use us when quote volume spikes and estimators get buried in admin.

Consistent output Every RFQ comes back in the same clean format your team can scan fast.

No new software burden Your team forwards emails. We handle prep and return the packet.

HOW IT WORKS

A practical workflow for shops that need speed, not more software.

RFQ Relay fits between the incoming customer email and your internal estimator review. We remove the repetitive intake work while leaving pricing and manufacturing judgment with your team.

Forward the RFQ

Send the customer email, PDF prints, STEP/IGES files and notes. No portal migration or ERP integration required to start.

We prepare the packet

We extract parts, revisions, materials, quantities, finishes and critical callouts, then flag unclear or missing information.

You quote faster

Your estimator receives a consistent quote-prep summary and can move directly into machining assumptions, costing and commercial response.

BEFORE / AFTER

Show the estimator what matters. Hide the chaos.

The value is easiest to understand when you see the same RFQ before and after prep.

BEFORE

Messy inbound RFQ

From: buyer@northstar-robotics.com

Subject: Quote request / 7 parts / need by Friday

Hi team, please quote attached parts at qty 25 / 100.

Need anodize on bracket parts. Stainless plate finish should match previous job. Let me know if anything is missing.

7 PDF drawings with mixed file names
5 STEP files, 2 missing
Revision conflict on one part
Finish spec unclear on one stainless part
Quantity breaks buried in email thread

AFTER

RFQ Relay packet

PartMaterialQtyRevStatus

BRK-18476061-T625 / 100CReady

SHAFT-224140 PH50BReady

PLT-441304 SS10?Review

CLARIFICATION FLAGS

PLT-441 — drawing revision not identified.

BRK-1847 — anodize specification missing.

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

A clean packet, not another dashboard.

RFQ Relay is intentionally simple: we return a consistent deliverable your estimator can scan quickly and trust.

Customer, due-date and RFQ summary
Part number and revision matrix
Material, finish and quantity-break summary
Critical tolerance and process callouts
CAD / drawing completeness check
Missing-info and clarification list
Organized file naming and handoff structure

RFQ_2026-0917_PREP.pdf

QUOTE PREP SUMMARY

Northstar Robotics / RFQ-8821

ReceivedSep 17, 2026

DueSep 20, 2026

Parts7

Estimator can price 5 parts now. 2 parts held for customer clarification.

PRICING

Start with a pilot. Expand only if it saves real time.

Simple pricing keeps the buying decision easy for small shops.

PILOT

$249

10 RFQs / 14 days

Structured RFQ packet
Missing-info flags
Human review
Email delivery

Start pilot

$749/mo

Up to 40 RFQs / month

Everything in Pilot
Priority queue
Shop-specific template
Monthly workflow review

Choose core

GROWTH

$1,490/mo

Up to 100 RFQs / month

Everything in Core
Multiple inboxes
Custom output fields
Faster turnaround target

Talk to us

RFQ Relay organizes RFQ inputs for machine shops. We do not issue final machining quotes, engineering approvals or compliance determinations on your behalf.

DRAWING SECURITY

Designed around sensitive customer files.

We recommend starting with non-regulated commercial work. NDA, retention and deletion rules can be defined before live production RFQs are processed.

NDAAvailable before pilot

RetentionDefined per agreement

OutputNever auto-sent to your customer

ITAR / CUINot accepted in the standard service

Do not send export-controlled, ITAR, CUI or classified files unless a separate compliant workflow has been explicitly agreed in writing.

FAQ

Simple by design.

Does RFQ Relay calculate our selling price?

No. We prepare the RFQ for your estimator. Your shop owns machining assumptions, cycle time, costing, margin and final commercial response.

What files can we send?

During the pilot, send customer email context, PDFs, spreadsheets and STEP/IGES files. File-handling rules are agreed before live work begins.

Can you work with our quote template?

Yes. Core and Growth plans can map the prepared information into your preferred spreadsheet or summary format.

What kind of shop is this for?

Best fit: US CNC job shops and precision manufacturers with roughly 5–25 employees, recurring RFQ volume and no dedicated full-time quoting admin team.

14-DAY PILOT

Give us 10 completed RFQs. Judge the output yourself.

Use old, already-quoted work for the first test. You do not need to send live customer files until you are comfortable with the workflow.