# RFI rejection: **URL:** \ **Category:** Construction & Evaluation\ **Created:** [September 10, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/rfi-rejection/7486 "2025-09-10T17:42:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aidenjh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/aidenjh/32/1658_2.png) [@aidenjh](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/aidenjh)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/rfi-rejection/7486/1 "2025-09-10T17:42:24Z")
CE Section 3: RFIs Very helpful video. One minor question: We reject RFIs for various reasons - and one of them is if the GC is asking for an interpretation or explanation of an action we took on a previous submittal. I’m unclear about whether there is a specific kind of documentation trail we lay down with the submittal process that allows GC’s to follow up later and ask, “Hey why did you take X action on that last submittal I sent? Your explanation is confusing to me…” Is this just done through emails? When we send back the rejection and specify why we rejected the RFI - _what do we point to as the correct way for them to get clarity on what we said / did about a past submittal?_ ---
**Author:** ![coachchrishopstock](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/coachchrishopstock/32/1662_2.png) [@coachchrishopstock](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/coachchrishopstock)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 1:40pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/rfi-rejection/7486/2 "2025-09-17T13:40:28Z")
I would say that we should respond to all RFIs; I’ve never rejected an RFI. If a pattern develops where RFIs are being used for the wrong purposes (i.e. they’re not asking for clarifications of the CDs) then I have a conversation with the contractor. If that continues, I still respond to RFIs, but I respond saying that this is not a valid RFI and to submit it through the appropriate channels, or something along those lines. I think rejecting someone’s question leads to unnecessary animosity and I try to keep the construction process collaborative. I think part of that is answering any questions anyone might have. Refer to AIA A201, ss 4.2.14, which says (paraphrasing) that the architect WILL respond to RFIs. ---
**Author:** ![aidenjh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/aidenjh/32/1658_2.png) [@aidenjh](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/aidenjh)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/rfi-rejection/7486/3 "2025-09-17T16:18:54Z")
That sounds like what I would want to do as well in practice. For purposes of the ARE, what is the paper trail that we lay down in the submittal process? From what I understand: 1. The Contractor sends us some kind of submittal item 2. We log it and respond to it — with an email? 3. If he doesn’t understand our response and has questions about it - does he then send back an email in reply? ---
**Author:** ![coachchrishopstock](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/coachchrishopstock/32/1662_2.png) [@coachchrishopstock](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/coachchrishopstock)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/rfi-rejection/7486/4 "2025-09-17T20:34:54Z")
I think the sending back and forth of the submittal can happen via email, or via a system like Procore. If they have a question about the content of your review, I would think email is fine. It shouldn’t be an RFI because RFIs are for interpreting contract documents, and a submittal isn’t a contract document.