Unbelievable. I have been solicited in a disgusting, disturbing manner. Read this (my emphasis):
This request for information (RFI) shall not be construed to be a Request For Proposal (RFP) and no agreement/contract will be entered into with/awarded to any vendor based on responses to this RFI, and it shall in no way be considered as authorization by <company> for vendors to undertake any work.
Nothing in this RFI shall be construed as a commitment to issue a RFP. Response to this RFI will not create any obligation. Neither <company> nor vendors answering this RFI shall be bound by any aspect of their response to this RFI.
RFI? Yes, I live in a cave and am not familiar with such an acronym. Ok, I am being a bit over-the-top, but honestly think about this approach. Why in the world would any salesperson respond to such a request? You are provided the opportunity to present your solution to their problem without any compensation. As sales managers, I hope you do not allow your salespeople to waste time on these RFI’s.