PCBA Quotation Checklist Before Supplier Review
A concise pre-submission checklist for confirming manufacturing files, BOM ownership, quantity, revisions, programming, testing, delivery, and open approval questions.
Engineering review by Huitai Engineering Team
Quick Answer
Before requesting a PCBA quotation, confirm which files and requirements are current, identify missing information, and make sourcing, programming, testing, delivery, and approval boundaries visible. This checklist is for a final readiness scan, not a full explanation of manufacturing cost or every RFQ field.
For the reasons each input affects a supplier response, read What Determines a PCB Assembly Quote in China?. For an upload-ready file table, use the PCBA Quote File Checklist.
Manufacturing File Checklist
- Gerber and drill files are included.
- PCB specification or fabrication notes identify material, thickness, copper, finish, color, stack-up, impedance, panel, or other applicable requirements.
- BOM includes exact MPNs, designators, per-board quantities, packages, DNP/DNI, approved alternatives, and no-substitute notes.
- CPL or pick-and-place data matches the BOM and board revision.
- Assembly Drawing shows polarity, connectors, wires, mechanical notes, and manual operations.
- Target Quantity and expected repeat-order context are stated.
- Gerber, BOM, CPL, drawing, firmware, and test Revision status is controlled.
Scope and Responsibility Checklist
- Component ownership is clear: supplier-purchased, customer-supplied, or mixed.
- Customer-supplied parts include exact MPNs, quantities, delivery status, and handling notes.
- Approved alternatives and no-substitute components are recorded.
- SMT, through-hole, manual soldering, coating, wires, connectors, mechanical, or special operations are identified.
- Firmware and programming files, interfaces, serialization, or security requirements are available when applicable.
- Testing requirements include method, fixture or connection, steps, expected results, limits, and pass/fail criteria.
- Packaging, labels, Delivery destination, shipment preference, and Requested lead time are stated.
Use PCB Assembly Services, Turnkey PCB Assembly, or BOM Sourcing for PCBA to clarify the commercial scope before submission.
60-Second RFQ Readiness Check
- Can the supplier identify one controlled revision for the quoted build?
- Are PCB fabrication, component purchasing, assembly, programming, testing, packaging, and delivery responsibilities visible?
- Are missing files or open engineering questions marked instead of hidden?
- Are customer approvals still required for alternatives, testing, or other scope decisions?
- Is the requested quantity and timing clear enough for the supplier to plan the review?
If any answer is “no,” identify the open point when submitting the RFQ. A preliminary review can still start, but the quotation should show its assumptions.
Compare Two Supplier Quotations
After receiving quotations, compare both suppliers against the same project release and quantity. Record what is included, excluded, optional or still open for sourcing, assembly, inspection, programming, functional testing, tooling and delivery before comparing totals.
Download the PCBA Quote Scope Comparison Worksheet (.md). Copy the Markdown tables into your working notes and record each supplier's response. The fictional teaching example shows how to record unanswered questions; it does not represent supplier offers or measured results.
FAQ
Must every RFQ item be complete before contacting a supplier?
No. Send the available information and identify what is missing. The supplier can separate preliminary assumptions from the information required for a firm production scope.
What are the minimum files for a useful PCBA review?
Gerber, BOM, quantity, and the available assembly or testing information can start the conversation. CPL, Assembly Drawing, PCB specifications, firmware, and test instructions improve scope accuracy.
Should approved alternatives be included in the checklist?
Yes. Record exact approved MPNs and no-substitute items so purchasing does not infer authorization from a generic description.
Where should the checked RFQ package be submitted?
Use the project-file route to send the manufacturing files and identify any open sourcing, assembly, programming, testing, or delivery questions.
Submit the Checked RFQ Package
Keep the checklist with the controlled manufacturing package so the supplier can see what is included, missing, or awaiting approval.