Published 2026-06-03 · Practical guides · Supplier Operations
Send a Tooling Quote the Buyer Can Use
Quote the features you can support, separate alternatives and use one PDF or link without re-entering every line.
A useful response tells the buyer what is covered, what is not and what needs a decision. You do not need to quote every feature or rebuild an existing quotation in another format.
Make coverage clear
Identify the RFQ, job and drawing revision. Mark each feature quoted, no quote or clarification needed. A no quote for the whole job is valid too; a brief reason helps the coordinator find another source. Do not use zero price to mean no quote.
Example coverage note: F-001: quoted, options A and B; F-002: no quote, outside our capability; F-003: confirm usable hole depth before we quote.
Separate complete solutions from alternatives
A drill, finishing tool and holder may all be needed for one feature. Group them as one solution. If option B replaces option A, label them mutually exclusive and total each separately.
List complete manufacturer part numbers, quantities and units, required hardware and technical exceptions. Keep optional spares separate. Identify any alternate that still needs engineering approval.
One PDF or link is enough
Attach one PDF or accessible quotation link and add page or option references to the coverage note. Existing lines do not need to be typed again when the document clearly identifies them.
State the document number and revision, currency, validity, pack quantities, freight and lead-time starting event. For a lump-sum offer, state the included scope and whether partial award is allowed. Do not invent per-feature prices.
If a link can change, retain an authorized copy or revision reference for the offer accepted.
Let the distributor own the customer offer
The supplier's buy price and internal notes belong in the distributor's purchasing record. The distributor can set resale prices or send its own customer quotation document.
Check customer-facing scope, prices, attachments and recipients before release. Do not automatically forward the supplier's cost sheet. Close with the next action: answer a question, approve an alternate or review the offer.