Tour: Post a Project

Using CompositeRFQ to post a project is a straightforward process. To begin, click the Post a New Project link in the Summary Menu (you will need to have logged on as a Registered User to see this screen).

This takes you to a series of pages that allow you to describe your project in sufficient detail so that Users can provide you with an appropriate quote. The first page is the Project Description page.

This page is used to provide a general description of the project, and your goals for what you want to accomplish. Project Title and Project Description are required fields. In many ways, what you enter in the Project Description box is the "teaser" for the project, inviting Users to see further details. Please be deliberate in your description, and remember that we require that all provided information be anonymous until after you select a User. We also ask you for information regarding the overall size of the item.

Finally, we ask for quoting quantities. The first line, Required for this particular quote, is the number of items you are guaranteeing you will purchase, should you choose a winning proposal. The second line, Potential beyond this quote in one year, is your best estimate as to how many you might be ordering in the future (though it is not a guarantee of actual orders). Breaking the two quantities apart allows Users to gauge the actual and prospective business this project might yield. Pricing Quantities is a required field, and at least one entry must be listed.

Once you are satisfied that the information is correct, click Save & Continue to proceed. At this point, a copy is saved in the Project Manager so that if you are interrupted and need to stop, you can return to your RFQ and finish it at your convenience.

The next page categorizes your project, by Market (required), Composites type, and Related Services that might be required. Clicking a category in the left column reveals an expanded selection in the white box at the right. Select as many categories as you feel relate to your project; if you have a need that is not listed, click Other and type in what you need. As time progresses, we will be using the information in the Other field to further expand our selections. When you have completed entering information, you can click Save & Continue to proceed, or Go Back to return to the Physical Description page to make changes.

The Concepts & Images page defines where the starting point for the project will be. Do you have a part or tool that you will be shipping the supplier, or perhaps CAD, a rough sketch, or just a cool idea in your head? You can also submit files electronically for Users to examine while they form their proposal.

In addition to formal specification documents, you can upload images that will show on your RFQ. These images can be something like what you're describing, the actual project itself, or additional specification images. When you have completed entering information, you can click Save & Continue to proceed, or Go Back to return to previous pages to make changes.

The Schedule Milestones screen defines the various timelines related to the project. The Quote Window defines how long you wish to be able to accept quotes on the RFQ, either in an absolute date sense, or how many days past approval. The Quote Window entry is a required field.

You can also specify whether you wish an open or closed bidding process. An open bidding process allows Users to see the details of what other users have proposed. A closed bidding process allows only you to see the proposal details.

Finally, you can specify Milestones, specific points in the overall project you wish to meet at certain times. Milestones can be defined either by hard dates, or number of days beyond the previous milestone (assuming a 7-day week). You can add as many milestones as you wish by clicking the Add Another Milestone button. When you have completed entering information, you can click Save & Continue to proceed, or Go Back to return to previous pages to make changes.

Add-on Features are value-added features available for a fee. Targeted RFQs create a CompositeRFQ-generated email to all users whose Company Profiles match the categories you selected earlier. Expanded RFQs allow Users to submit proposals without affecting their monthly quota allowance. Expanded RFQs are also displayed with a different appearance to draw attention to this feature. If you wish to purchase either of these features, click the check box, and then click Save & Continue to proceed, or Go Back to return to previous pages to make changes.

The final page shows what your RFQ will look like to the outside world, both in search results and the detailed view. If you haven’t loaded any photos into your RFQ, a "Photo Not Available" icon will be visible.

If you have selected any Add-On Features, a bill will appear at the bottom of the screen, asking permission to debit the cost of the extra features from the payment option you have on file. If you have no payment options on file, you will be asked to provide such.

If you wish to change any information, click Go Back to change any information you have submitted, otherwise click on Confirm & Submit to continue. Your RFQ will then be forwarded for approval within our posting guidelines (which specify that RFQs must be anonymous); typically within 24hrs.

Congratulations! You've posted a project!