Program snapshot: the basics we need to move quickly

• Tell me the program code or short name your team uses and the target SOP month and year
• Select the part number(s) in scope for this RFQ and mark which are highest priority Options: Part A - priority, Part B - priority, Part C - priority, Other part numbers (enter below)
• Estimate annual peak volumes for each prioritized part and the launch month you are planning for Options: < 50k, 50k-200k, 200k-1M, 1M-5M, > 5M
• Who on your team owns supplier selection, technical approval, and launch readiness (role titles please) Options: Commodity Buyer, Purchasing Manager, Supplier Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Program Manager, Other (enter role)
• Describe the RFQ package you issued, including drawing fidelity, material spec, required PPAP level, and any prototype expectations

Timing pressure and program gates, where delays actually hurt you

• If a supplier missed PPAP timing on this program, describe the immediate operational consequences your team would face and the single person or role who would be accountable
• Choose the delay threshold that triggers executive escalation for this program Options: Less than 2 weeks, 2 to 4 weeks, 5 to 8 weeks, More than 8 weeks
• Walk me through the last time a supplier missed a gate for a program like this: what failed, how long to recover, and what stopped the supplier from meeting the timeline
• Point to the one timing failure that would make you stop awarding a supplier regardless of price Options: Missed PPAP submission, Failed process capability at Cpk check, Tooling delivery beyond tryout window, Material approval delay, Other (describe)

Critical part fit and manufacturability, the measurements that matter

• Identify the single critical dimension, test, or performance criterion that would disqualify a supplier even if their piece-price is lowest
• Select the target process capability and PPAP characteristics you require for the priority part Options: Cpk >= 1.67 and full PPAP level required, Cpk 1.33-1.66 with focused control plan, Cpk >= 1.0 with agreed containment, Custom targets listed in RFQ
• Typically, how many prototype iterations and material test cycles do you plan before validating a supplier's manufacturing approach Options: 1 iteration, 2 iterations, 3-4 iterations, More than 4
• Walk me through the last tooling-related design change you required: why it happened, how it impacted timing, and who paid for the change
• Suppose a supplier's stamping approach requires a secondary operation to hit tolerance, would that alone rule them out and why Options: Yes, we require net shape, No, if cost and risk are acceptable, Conditional based on capacity and lead time, Need to discuss with engineering

Capacity, logistics, and surge—how resilient must a supplier be?

• Where does your current sourcing plan fail when volumes surge or a tier above you changes schedule unexpectedly
• Select which capacity validations you require before award Options: Named dedicated shifts, Tooling availability windows, Capacity load tests with production data, Named surge sub-suppliers, Signed capacity commitment with penalties
• What is the acceptable amount of inbound safety stock in weeks per part for your JIT planning Options: None, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, More than 4 weeks
• Rate the relative importance of plant proximity versus lower piece-price when making an award, 1 is price only, 5 is proximity only Options: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Suppose a supplier is within a three-hour truck drive but charges 5% more, what commitments or metrics would you need to see to prefer them over a cheaper offshore option

Competitive landscape, the other options you are weighing

• Who are you benchmarking this RFQ against today, including incumbent, offshore bidders, or internal make options (list roles or types, not company names) Options: Incumbent supplier, Low-cost-country supplier, Internal make option, Other Tier 1 bidders, Multiple options under review
• Select the alternatives still under serious consideration Options: Keep incumbent, Award to competing Tier 1, Move to internal production, Split-sourcing across suppliers, Re-bid with revised specifications
• When internal make is on the table, name the functions that would own capital tooling and lifecycle cost signoff Options: Engineering, Operations, Finance, Program Management, Procurement
• Point to one condition under which you would keep the incumbent instead of awarding a new supplier Options: Lower total cost, Better capacity guarantees, Fewer logistics risks, Superior quality metrics, Other (describe)
• Has anyone on your team proposed solving this part internally rather than selecting an outside supplier Options: Yes, No, Under discussion

Commercial and acceptance gates that actually determine award

• Would you exclude a supplier who refuses to accept fixed-price escalation risk for raw material changes, and if not, what alternative contract mechanism would you accept Options: Exclude without exception, Accept index-linked adjustments, Accept negotiated caps only, Need legal to approve exceptions
• List the APQP and PPAP milestones you require pre-award and their absolute deadlines
• Identify the commercial terms you consider non-negotiable (select all that apply) Options: Payment terms, Warranty period, Liquidated damages for late SOP, Escrow for tooling, Price review windows
• How often do you require supplier quality or capacity audits in the first 12 months after SOP Options: Monthly, Quarterly, At 3 and 6 months, On exception only
• Assuming a successful PPAP, name any remaining legal or commercial obstacles that would still block signature

Operational readiness and gating constraints we must surface up front

• List the facility qualifications, certifications, or specific machine capabilities that must be proven before you will approve a supplier Options: IATF 16949 or equivalent, Specific press tonnage or cavity counts, Qualified e-coat line, Robotic assembly cell proven, Other (describe)
• Name the system owner for your material planning integrations and confirm whether API or EDI endpoints are available for new suppliers Options: API/EDI available, API/EDI in progress, No integration available, manual process
• Outline audit windows, plant access rules, and visitor requirements we should plan for ahead of quoting
• Estimate the FTE commitment from your engineering and quality teams for supplier onboarding and the expected duration in months Options: 1-2 FTEs for 1-3 months, 3-4 FTEs for 3-6 months, 5+ FTEs for 6+ months, Variable by program
• Is there any compliance, insurance, export control, or regulatory requirement that would prevent a new supplier from being approved now Options: Yes - requires review, No, Not sure, need to check

Decision rhythm, stakeholders, and potential blockers

• In your procurement workflow, list the roles that must approve a supplier and the typical review times for each role
• When was the last time a cross-functional conflict delayed an award, what caused it, and how was it resolved
• Name the stakeholder who most often vetoes a supplier on quality grounds and indicate whether they can be engaged earlier for trial builds Options: Quality director, Plant manager, Program engineering, Supplier quality engineer, Other (specify)
• To what extent do your commodity managers use should-cost models versus market index pricing when scoring bids Options: Mostly should-cost, Balanced approach, Mostly market index, No formal model
• Would a corporate requirement for dual sourcing in the first 12 months prevent you from awarding a single-source contract Options: Yes, No, Conditional depending on part criticality

Launch success metrics and post-award expectations

• Point to the launch KPI that, if missed in month one, would trigger removal from the program Options: On-time delivery, First pass yield, Cpk targets, Percentage of defective parts, Other (describe)
• Provide your target on-time delivery, first pass yield, and Cpk at SOP and at six months
• How often will ramp metrics be reviewed and which teams receive exception reports Options: Weekly review, Bi-weekly review, Monthly review, On exception only
• Outline the escalation path for a line stop caused by a supplied part, including time to containment and who authorizes controlled shipping
• List the remedial commitments you would expect from a supplier if launch misses agreed KPIs and indicate which of those would accelerate a corrective action plan Options: On-site support team, Price concessions, Additional inspection at supplier, Capacity rework plan, Other (describe)

Next steps, timelines, and a decisive close

• If a supplier demonstrates the required PPAP performance in a pilot, what internal signoffs would you need and how quickly could procurement sign a contract Options: Procurement only, within 1 week, Procurement + Quality, within 2 weeks, Executive approval needed, timeline varies, Other (describe)
• Which documents or sample parts should we prepare and deliver within the first two weeks to accelerate evaluation Options: Process flow and FMEA, Sample parts from tryout, Material certification, Tooling trial report, All of the above
• By when do you want initial capacity confirmation and tooling tryout windows committed to keep your launch timeline intact Options: Within 2 weeks, Within 1 month, Within 2 months, Flexible
• Finally, what single barrier, if unresolved this quarter, would stop this program from moving forward

• Solution Experience Session — Manufacturing Approach Validation

• Confirm the current state and its cost
• You confirm one preferred manufacturing approach that meets Cpk targets for critical dimensions and has a tooling timeline aligned with PPAP dates.
• Deliver a scenario workbook comparing cost per piece, estimated Cpk for critical dimensions, and lead-time to PPAP for the preferred and alternate manufacturing approaches within 5 business days.
• You agree the scenario outcomes on piece-price, lead-time to PPAP, and surge capacity are realistic and acceptable for commercial evaluation.
• Outline candidate manufacturing approaches
• Provide the RFQ critical dimensions, tolerance stack, and forecasted volumes including peak and surge scenarios.
• Show scenario outcomes for cost, quality, and delivery
• Share recent PPAP history or nonconformance reports for the incumbent part number to validate baseline risks.
• You and the seller agree the remaining evidence required before decision and commit to delivery dates for that evidence.
• Validate capacity, tooling timeline, and PPAP readiness
• Confirm the evaluation committee members and decision timeline for awarding the program.
• Confirm risk trade-offs and mitigations
• Forced validation, confirm this maps to your needs
• Agree remaining evidence and next steps

• Solution Experience Session — Manufacturing Approach Validation
• Solution Experience Deck
• Solution Brief — Validated Manufacturing Approaches

• meeting
• slides
• document

• Deliver DFM-Optimized Tooling Package
• Build Progressive Die and Execute Tryout
• Manufacture Engineering Prototype Parts
• Produce Pre-Production Run and PPAP Builds
• Deliver PPAP Submission Package
• Provide Process Capability Data for Critical Dimensions
• Operate Just-In-Time Kanban Delivery
• Activate Surge Production Capacity and Overtime
• Supply Raw Material with Lot Traceability
• Integrate In-House E-Coat and Robotic Assembly
• Produce Net-Shape Stampings Eliminating Secondary Ops
• Provide Spare Tooling and Offsite Storage
• Manage Initial Production Containment and Rework

Deliver DFM-Optimized Tooling Package

• Do you have 3D CAD models and PMI (product manufacturing information) for the part that we can use to drive DFM tooling design? Options: Yes, No, Partial - CAD only
• Which critical GD&T callouts and specific dimensions must meet the tooling design review target Cpk or tolerance verification?
• How many cavities and what target cycle time (seconds per piece) should the progressive die tooling be designed to deliver? Options: Single-cavity, 2-4 cavities, 5+ cavities
• Who on your engineering team will provide formal DFM approval signatures on tooling drawings and PFMEA (failure mode and effects analysis)?
• When is the APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) tooling drawing approval milestone scheduled relative to planned start of production (SOP)? Options: 6+ months before SOP, 3-5 months before SOP, Less than 3 months before SOP
• Are there special material or heat-treat specifications for dies, punches, or liners (for example H13, PVD coatings) that must be incorporated into the tooling package? Options: Yes, No

Build Progressive Die and Execute Tryout

• Do you require a formal die tryout report that includes first article measurements, cycle stability data, and visual defect logs? Options: Yes, No
• What target first-article dimensional tolerances should the tryout validate (list key dimensions and tolerances in mm or inches)?
• Specify the number of controlled tryout shifts and total pieces you want produced during tryout for process stability analysis. Options: 1 shift, 2-3 shifts, 4+ shifts
• Who will attend the die tryout as authorized signers for tooling acceptance (role and contact)?
• Where should die tryout take place: at our plant tryout bay or at a third-party press trial location? Options: Our plant tryout bay, Third-party trial press, Buyer plant witnessed tryout
• Do you require gauge correlation or gauge R&R (repeatability and reproducibility) during tryout for critical dimensions? Options: Yes, No

Manufacture Engineering Prototype Parts

• How many engineering prototype assemblies do you need and by what target date for design validation tests? Options: 1-5, 6-25, 26-100, More than 100
• What test programs must prototypes support (for example dimensional validation, crash test, NVH, paint adhesion) and which lab/fixture requirements are needed?
• Do prototypes require production-intent material specifications (same steel grade or resin grade) or are alternate materials acceptable for initial runs? Options: Production-intent material required, Alternate material acceptable - specify
• Who is responsible for updating engineering change notices (ECNs) from prototype findings into the tooling revisions?
• Will prototypes require kitted assembly and packaging to reflect production sequencing for validation trials? Options: Yes, No
• Do you anticipate prototype parts needing surface treatments (for example e-coat thickness, topcoat) that must be validated on prototype builds? Options: Yes, No

Produce Pre-Production Run and PPAP Builds

• How many pre-production pieces are required for production verification, tooling adjustments, and customer-run-off before PPAP? Options: Less than 100, 100-500, 501-2,000, More than 2,000
• What specific run-rate and shift pattern should we use during pre-production to simulate mass production (pieces per hour and shifts per day)?
• Which inspection checkpoints and sample frequencies do you require during pre-production (for example 1 in 10 for critical dimensions, 100% visual on initial runs)?
• Who will sign off pre-production build acceptance and who is the designated contact for contained shipping or controlled shipment requests?
• When is the planned PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) submission window relative to SOP date (MM-YYYY)? Options: At least 3 months before SOP, 1-2 months before SOP, Within 30 days of SOP
• What acceptance criteria will confirm pre-production build readiness for PPAP (for example dimensional FAI, material certificates, control plan sign-off)?

Deliver PPAP Submission Package

• Which PPAP submission level do you require (for example Level 2 sample submission with limited documentation, Level 3 full package)? Options: Level 1 - Part Submission Warrant (PSW) only, Level 2 - PSW with samples and limited docs, Level 3 - Full package (recommended)
• What specific documents must be included in the PPAP package: dimensional FAI, material certs, process flow, PFMEA, control plan, capability studies? Options: Dimensional FAI, Material certificates, Process flow, PFMEA, Control plan, Capability studies, Other
• Do you require electronic submission of PPAP documents in a specific format (for example e-mail PDF, customer portal upload, APQP-4 format)? Options: PDF via email, Customer portal upload, APQP-4 structured package, Other
• Who is the authorized signatory that will accept the PPAP package on your side and what role do they hold?
• How will you verify PPAP completeness on receipt (for example checklist: dimensional report, material certs, control plan, signed PSW)?
• Will you require a customer-witnessed PPAP review or are remote document reviews acceptable? Options: Customer-witnessed on-site, Remote review via portal/video, Either - depending on schedule

Provide Process Capability Data for Critical Dimensions

• Which critical dimensions require Cpk or Ppk targets and what numeric thresholds do you expect for each (list dimension and target)?
• What sample size and run conditions should be used for capability studies (for example 30 parts at steady-state run rate per cavity)? Options: 30 parts per cavity, 100 parts per cavity, Custom - specify
• Do you require gauge R&R and measurement system analysis for the inspection gauges used on the critical dimensions? Options: Yes - include GRR study, No - buyer will supply gauge data
• When will capability data be delivered relative to PPAP submission (for example with pre-production run report, or as a follow-on within 2 weeks)? Options: With pre-production report, Within 2 weeks after pre-production, Other
• Who will own review and acceptance of capability results and what is the escalation path if Cpk targets are not met?
• What acceptance evidence will confirm that process capability meets your requirements (for example Ppk >= target with stable control charts and documented corrective actions)?

Operate Just-In-Time Kanban Delivery

• How many kanban locations or assembly points must we support and what is the typical kanban card quantity per location?
• Which delivery windows and dock times does your OEM material planning require for JIT lanes (for example 0700-0900 inbound deliveries)?
• Do you require sequenced kitting to assembly line sequence or batch delivery by part number? Options: Sequenced kitting by build sequence, Batch delivery by part number, Kitted totes with kanban cards
• What packaging specifications must be met for JIT supply (for example returnable racks, rack pitch, part orientation, protective covers)?
• Who is your logistics contact for inbound ASN (advance shipping notice) and EDI or portal transmissions?
• Do you require supplier-managed inventory (SMI) or do you prefer fixed weekly release schedules? Options: Supplier-managed inventory (SMI), Fixed weekly releases, Hybrid - SMI with safety stock

Activate Surge Production Capacity and Overtime

• For surge scenarios, what peak daily or weekly volumes must we be able to sustain (parts per day/week)?
• Which overtime multipliers and shift patterns are acceptable for surge production (for example 1.5x evenings, double shifts, weekend support)? Options: Standard overtime 1.5x, Double shifts (two 8-hour lines), Weekend support required
• Do you require formal surge capacity commitments in the contract with guaranteed lead times and penalty terms? Options: Yes - include contract commitment, No - best-effort surge
• Who will authorize activation of surge capacity and who is the emergency contact during line surges?
• How many extra tooling sets or backup presses should be reserved to support surge without impacting SOP lines? Options: None, 1 spare set, 2+ spare sets
• What lead time do you require for ramping to surge volumes from normal production (for example 48 hours, 1 week)? Options: 48 hours, 72 hours, 1 week, Other

Supply Raw Material with Lot Traceability

• Which raw material specifications must be met (for example steel grade, tensile spec, resin grade and supplier certifications)?
• Do you require mill certificates and full lot traceability back to the mill for each production lot? Options: Yes - mill certs and lot traceability required, No - partial traceability acceptable
• What incoming inspection criteria do you expect for raw materials (for example chemical composition, hardness, tensile, resin melt index)?
• Which restricted substances, plating or coating standards must be complied with (for example RoHS, specific e-coat chemistries)?
• Who is the nominated supplier quality engineer for material quality escalations and hold-release authority?
• Do you require single-supplier source control or are multiple approved sub-tier material sources acceptable? Options: Single approved source only, Multiple approved sources acceptable

Integrate In-House E-Coat and Robotic Assembly

• Which e-coat thickness, film weight, and bake parameters must prototypes and production parts meet for paint specification compliance?
• Do you require paint adhesion and corrosion test reports from our in-house e-coat line for PPAP? Options: Yes - include test reports, No - not required
• What robotic assembly takt time and cycle constraints must be supported to meet assembly sequencing and line balance?
• Will you require robot program backups, PLC program version control, and robot cell FAI before production release? Options: Yes - backups and program FAI required, No - not required
• Who will define assembly rework criteria and allowable cosmetic limits after e-coat and robotic assembly?
• Do you need part marking, 2D codes, or traceability labels applied after e-coat/assembly for serialized tracking? Options: Yes - 2D codes/serialization, No - batch-level marking only

• Master Supply Agreement
• Purchase Order / Order Confirmation
• Pricing & Commercial Schedule
• PPAP & Quality Acceptance Criteria
• Capacity & Surge Commitment Annex
• Tooling, NRE & Capital Equipment Agreement
• Logistics & Delivery Agreement
• Program Governance & Change Control Agreement
• Warranty, Liability & Indemnity Schedule
• Intellectual Property & Tooling License
• Supplier Financial & Insurance Certifications

• Go-live Health Check (weeks 1-4)
• First Measurement Review (weeks 4-10)
• 90-day Performance Review
• Monthly Operational Review (ongoing)
• Quarterly Program Business Review

• Update the quality incident tracker with root-cause analyses and target closure dates for each open case.
• Archive or migrate incumbent data and publish confirmation of archival completion and access restrictions.
• Publish a remediation tracker for all open Solution Scope targets with milestone dates and verification checks.
• Schedule a tooling tryout or capability study for any critical dimension with Cpk below the target.
• Review last 30 days of delivery and quality metrics
• Ensure monthly metrics for on-time delivery rate and PPM are monitored and any regressions have an assigned remediation task.
• Keep the change request queue current with impact assessments and target resolution dates.
• Confirm no unmitigated supply or logistics risks exist that would impact the next production window.
• Re-confirm success criteria and owners
• Prepare a logistics incident report for any shipments that missed the on-time delivery target in the last 30 days.
• Publish updated impact assessments for all pending change requests and propose prioritization for the next review.
• Strategic KPI review versus Solution Scope targets
• Agree which KPIs meet Solution Scope targets and which require program-level interventions.
• Confirm capacity readiness for anticipated ramp or surge scenarios with specific dates and verification steps.
• Select and commit to the top three systemic improvements with measurable outcomes and timelines.
• Publish the quarter KPI dashboard with annotations against Solution Scope targets and distribute to stakeholders.
• Create a capacity verification checklist for the nominated surge resources and schedule verification windows.
• Draft implementation plans for the top three systemic improvements with milestone dates for the next quarterly review.
• All critical early-blocker items are logged with an owner and a target remediation date.
• Deployment deviations are documented and prioritized for root-cause analysis.
• Team confirms ownership for monitoring each success criterion recorded in Solution Scope.
• Publish the prioritized issue log for async updates before the next measurement meeting.
• Run a first-pass tooling parameter audit and submit deviations within 72 hours.
• Prepare a short narrative of early operational observations for distribution to stakeholders.
• Present first 30- to 60-day data
• Establish whether on-time delivery rate and PPM are trending toward the Solution Scope targets, or require escalated remediation.
• Document a timebound corrective action plan for each metric gap with confident resolution dates.
• Confirm the authoritative data source for each metric and the person responsible for reporting it each period.
• Produce a root-cause report for the top two drivers of elevated PPM within 7 days.
• Submit an updated delivery schedule and corrective actions for late shipments, with mitigation steps for the next 30 days.
• Provide a data extract and method notes for how on-time delivery rate is calculated from production and logistics systems.
• Recap acceptance criteria and measurement baseline
• Document which Solution Scope targets are met, which remain open, and the remediation timeline for each open item.
• Confirm incumbent system is either decommissioned or formally retained read-only and archival tasks are scheduled.
• Agree on the top three operational priorities for the next 90 days with concrete checkpoints.
• Open quality escapes and containment status
• Cost variance and material impact review
• Present 90-day outcome data
• Root cause diagnosis for each gap
• Deployment and tooling validation
• Log of change requests and impact assessment
• Identify unresolved performance gaps and remediation plan
• Capacity and surge readiness assessment
• Agree corrective action plan and timeline
• Early adoption and operational signals
• Prioritize systemic improvements
• Blockers and open issue log
• Confirm measurement cadence and data sources
• Short supply and logistics check
• Incumbent wind-down checkpoint
• Agree immediate remediation actions
• Agree next 90-day priorities and success checks