Project Documents to Attach
Every steel detailing RFQ should include the most current structural drawings (IFC if available, design-development if not), the project specifications Division 05, and any addenda issued to date. Architectural floor plans help the detailer understand cope and clearance requirements. Include a full drawing index even if some drawings are not yet issued — it tells the detailer what to expect.
- Structural drawings — current revision, IFC preferred
- Project specifications — Division 05, Division 01 general requirements
- Architectural floor plans and reflected ceiling plans
- Full drawing index with revision status
- Geotechnical report if base plates or embeds are in scope
Scope and Deliverable Requirements
Clearly state what is in scope and what is not: structural steel only, or miscellaneous steel included; connection design delegated or EOR-designed; BIM model required or not; CNC files required; specific software platform preferred. A vague scope produces a wide proposal range that cannot be compared apples-to-apples.
- Structural steel tonnage (approximate)
- Miscellaneous steel included or excluded
- Connection design responsibility
- Required deliverables: shop drawings, erection drawings, BOM, CNC files, IFC model
- Preferred detailing software platform
Schedule and Communication Requirements
Include the fabrication start date, required steel-on-site date, and any phasing requirements. If the project requires weekly coordination meetings, morning progress reports, or specific submittal formats, state that in the RFQ. Detailing firms price their time — a project requiring 10 coordination meetings per month costs more to manage than one requiring a monthly summary.
- Fabrication start date and steel-on-site date
- Priority sequences and first-release requirements
- Submittal format requirements (transmittals, revision numbering)
- Meeting cadence and attendance requirements
- Revision and change-order allowance expectations