what does rfi mean in construction

In construction RFI means Request for Information. It's a formal question a contractor or sub sends to the architect, engineer or owner to clear up something unclear, conflicting or missing in the drawings, specs or contract documents during the build.

typical triggers are two drawings that dont match, a spec that contradicts the plans, or a field condition nobody documented. every rfi gets logged and answered in writing because the answer can move cost, schedule or liability

dont mix it up with the procurement rfi btw, that one's pre-bid vendor info gathering, totally different thing

ya in construction its a clarification tool mid-build, not a sourcing step

that was my exact confusion, clarification not sourcing. thanks all