Specifications include, but are not limited to: The objective of the eRFI is to gather information to assist the State Entity in its consideration of available resources/methods to fulfill the need/goal identified above. The eRFI method is not a competitive solicitation method and, as a result, does not satisfy the requirement for competitive bidding. The eRFI method is no more than an information gathering tool and such information gathered may or may not be used by the State Entity to develop a competitive solicitation. Suppliers are not required to respond to an eRFI and a supplier’s failure to respond to an eRFI will not prohibit the supplier’s participation in any competitive solicitation that may result from the eRFI. However, suppliers are strongly encouraged to respond to eRFIs as this is a great way to ensure the State Entity is aware of the suppliers’ available goods and services.