6.Customer funds. Does the customer really have funds available to go forward with the project? Or is the customer on a “fishing expedition”—issuing an RFP although unsure whether the project will ever be funded? A customer may issue an RFP with the best of intentions but do so prematurely, anticipating that the board of directors will approve funding. However, if the company is having financial difficulties, the board may decide to postpone the project indefinitely, even after proposals have been received from interested contractors. Good pre-RFP marketing by the contractor will help to determine the viability of a project. Contractors should not spend time responding to RFPs by developing proposals for projects that probably will not be funded.