A successful business arrangement needs to be a collaboration built on mutual trust and respect, not a way for clients to suck as much information and resources as possible out of a service provider (or, conversely, for the service provider to dupe the client).

I can only think of 2 reasons to ask such close to the vest information – 1) they want to see how much information you’ll divulge (hey, maybe you’re desperate) and/or 2) they’re CRAZY.

I’d never provide that information unless I knew who the client was, the scope of the project, the gig was mine AND I’d actually had a personal conversation with said client in which I felt comfortable.

As I client, I’d never ask for that info upfront — I’d be afraid I’d miss out on great potential partners who’d take themselves out of the running (just like you).

I always learn something new. I didn’t even know what RFI’s were until I read this blog. Is that usually in the B2B market?