CMiC – RFI Collaboration for the Subcontractor
OVERVIEW: HOW TO MANAGE THE RFI PROCESS USING COLLABORATION:
Using collaboration on a project means Subcontractors, Architects, Owners, Consultants and other business project
partners can access CMiC to facilitate efficient flow of information through the system to one another. By using
collaboration on projects, more information can be captured, referenced and utilized both during construction and post job
completion. While there are various ways collaboration may be used, Swinerton has identified the workflow below as a
successful path to process RFI’s on a collaborative project.
Subcontractor Creates a RFI in CMiC

General Contractor Receives RFI, Edits &
Forwards to Architect/Owner/Owner Rep for Review

Architect/Owner/Owner Rep Receives & Responds to the RFI

General Contractor Receives Returned RFI &
Forwards to Subcontractor:
PART 1: Subcontractor Creates a RFI in CMiC
1. Subcontractor Logs in to CMiC.
2. Click the Plus sign to the left of Communication Management on the tree view.
3. Click RFIs link on the tree view.
NOTE: There are four log views available for you to click on:
a)
b)
c)
d)
RFIs – view all RFIs regardless of who entered them into CMiC.
GC RFIs – view all RFIs submitted by the General Contractor.
Subcontractor RFIs – view all RFIs submitted by Subcontractors.
My RFIs - view all RFIs submitted by you.
4. Click Add RFI button.
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a. RFI No: CMiC will auto-fill this number consisting of the Subcontractor’s Partner Code number +
sequential RFI number. ex. 00000030 (Subcontractor’s Partner Code number) – 00002 (second RFI submitted by this
Subcontractor).
b. Status: CMiC will default this to “pending”. No other options exist, so leave this as pending.
c. From: CMiC will default this to your name when you log in. This field should show your name.
d. Co-Author: If the RFI you are submitting is coming to you from a sub-tier (if sub-tier is setup in CMiC),
use the Blue Up Arrow to enter the sub-tier contact name.
e. Co-Author RFI No.: If the RFI you are submitting is coming to you from a sub-tier, enter the sub-tier RFI
number here.
f. To: Use the Blue Up Arrow to select the name of the GC contact person you wish to submit the RFI to.
g. CC – Click the CC button.
i. Click the Blue Up Arrow.
ii. Click on the checkbox for any names you wish to copy on the RFI.
iii. Click Accept button.
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h. Subject: Type a short, accurate description or subject for the RFI.
i. Date Created: This defaults to today’s date. This date should always be today’s date.
j. Date Required: This is the date you require a response to the RFI. This duration will be set to match the
prime contract. If you need a response immediately you can change this date and set the priority to
Critical or High.
k. RFI Type: Use the Blue Up Arrow to select the scope this RFI is incorporated under. Many items could
be classified under Architectural, so just use your best judgment based on the options presented to you.
l. RFI Priority: Use the Blue Up Arrow to select the priority of this RFI. The priority should always be set to
“Normal” unless the project schedule can only be met by selecting “Critical” or “High”.
m. Schedule/Activity ID: Enter the primary schedule or activity ID this RFI effects, if possible.
n. Document Reference: This is an important field to fill out when submitting an RFI to the General
Contractor. This shows where on the plans the question pertains to. This must be filled out prior to
submitting the RFI.
o. Spec Section: If the RFI question pertains to the Specification, type the Spec Section and paragraph
detail that relates to this RFI.
p. Other RFI Type: Leave blank or use as additional clarification of the RFI Type.
q. Area: Use the area field to designate what floor or building the RFI pertains to. If you have four buildings,
you could type “Building A, 4th floor, room 163” or just “Room 456” depending on your project. The more
precise information you provide the better.
r. Reference #: Enter the Swinerton/HMH Reference Number this RFI pertains to, if you have it. If not,
leave this blank.
s. Question: Enter the question for the RFI here being as detailed and clear as possible. If asking multiple
questions, break each item into its own line and number it chronologically.
t. Suggestion: If you have a suggestion to solve the problem or question, please enter it here. This field is
highly encouraged and will give both the GC and Architect a great starting point for answering the RFI. It
is also likely to speed up the response time.
u. Possible Cost Impact – Fill out the fields below if you have the information.
i. Potentially
ii. Yes
iii. No
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v. Cost Amount: Enter a ROM figure here if you know the cost amount.
w. Possible Time Impact: Fill out the fields below if you have the information.
i. Potentially
ii. Yes
iii. No
x. Days: Enter a ROM days figure here if you know the schedule impact.
y. Save: Once have entered all applicable information on this page, click the Save button in the upper right
corner of the screen.
NOTE: The screen will refresh with an orange line at the top and the words “Not Submitted”. Now it’s time to upload
attachments, if applicable. If no attachments need to be uploaded, proceed to step 6.
5. Click the “Attachments” tab and upload any attachments you have. If you don’t know how to upload
attachments, please see the Navigating CMiC for Subcontractors [Upload Attachments] section on Swinerton.com
or click the underlined words to link to this document.
6. After all attachments have been added, click “Submit”
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NOTE: RFI has date and time stamp when it was submitted.
NOTE: When Subcontractor RFI is answered, the Subcontractor RFI will be bold in their queue with a status of either
Returned or Closed.
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