Briefs: Requesting Custom Quotes
What briefs are, how to send them, and how they differ from RFPs and engagements.
What is a brief?
A brief is a request you send to one or more solutions asking them to provide a custom quote for a specific project or need. You describe what you're looking for — scope, budget range, timeline — and solutions respond with pricing, availability, and a proposal.
Briefs are best for hiring managers who have a defined need and want to receive custom quotes quickly.
Who is it for?
| Role | How you use briefs |
|---|---|
| Hiring managers | Send a brief describing your project, receive quotes with cost, timeline, and scope |
| Solutions | Receive briefs, review project details, accept or decline with a custom quote |
| Partners | Create briefs on behalf of client organizations |
How to send a brief
Step 1: Open the brief modal
Click the Brief button on any solution's profile page, or go to My Cloud and create one from the Briefs tab.
Step 2: Describe your project
Fill in the details:
| Field | Required? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Yes | Short name for your request (e.g., "Contract recruiters for APAC expansion") |
| Description | No | Detailed description of what you need |
| Deliverables | No | Specific outcomes you expect |
| Budget range | No | Your expected budget (helps solutions calibrate their quote) |
| Timeline | No | How soon you need this (ASAP, 1-2 weeks, 1 month, 3+ months) |
| Contact info | No | Email and/or phone for the solution to reach you |
Step 3: Select solutions
Choose which solutions should receive your brief. You can search by name, pick from your saved solutions, or add the solution whose profile you're viewing.
Step 4: Send
Click Send. Each selected solution will be notified and can view your brief in their dashboard.
Reviewing responses
When solutions respond, you'll see their quotes in My Cloud → Briefs. Each response includes:
- Status — accepted or declined
- Quote — cost, timeline, start date, and scope
- Response message — any additional context from the solution
You can mark responses as Favorable, Unfavorable, or Follow Up to track your evaluation, and award the brief to your chosen solution.
Adding solutions to an existing brief
If you've already sent a brief and want to include another solution, click the chevron next to the Brief button on any solution's profile. Your open briefs will appear — click one to add the solution immediately.
Brief vs RFP vs Engagement
| Brief | RFP | Engagement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Get a quote for a defined project | Evaluate capabilities through Q&A | Manage an active working relationship |
| Best for | Hiring managers with a specific need | Program leaders comparing solutions | Active contracts and service delivery |
| Response | Quote with pricing and timeline | Answers to structured questions | N/A — this is the working phase |
| Outcome | Award to a solution | Shortlist solutions | Track services, compliance, contracts |