Embedded Files
An accurate PCB assembly quotation begins with complete and consistent project information.
While a Bill of Materials (BOM) and Gerber files are essential, they represent only part of the information required to evaluate a project. Engineering documentation, sourcing responsibilities, production volume, testing requirements and delivery expectations all influence manufacturing cost, procurement planning and production scheduling.
Providing a complete Request for Quotation (RFQ) enables engineering, procurement and manufacturing teams to evaluate your project more efficiently, resulting in more accurate quotations, fewer clarification requests and a smoother transition into production.
Why a Complete RFQ Matters
Preparing a PCB assembly quotation involves far more than calculating material costs and assembly labor.
Before preparing a quotation, engineering teams review the design for manufacturability, procurement teams evaluate component availability and sourcing strategy, and manufacturing teams assess production methods, testing requirements and scheduling.
A complete RFQ helps:
• Improve quotation accuracy
• Minimize clarification requests
• Identify manufacturability issues early
• Evaluate supply chain risks
• Improve production planning
• Reduce project delays
Whether your project is at the prototype, NPI (New Product Introduction), or volume production stage, providing complete RFQ information early helps improve quotation accuracy, reduce clarification requests and support a smoother transition into manufacturing.
Engineering Documents
Complete engineering documentation enables engineering, procurement, and manufacturing teams to verify manufacturability, evaluate assembly requirements, and identify potential production risks before manufacturing begins.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
A complete BOM should include:
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN)
Manufacturer Name
Component Description
Quantity
Reference Designators
Approved Alternative Components (if applicable)
Clearly identify any DNP (Do Not Populate) or DNI (Do Not Install) components to prevent purchasing and assembly errors.
If certain materials will be supplied by your company, identify them clearly, including customer-supplied components, bare PCBs or mechanical parts.
Revision Control
Ensure all engineering documents use the same revision.
This includes:
BOM
Gerber Files
Pick & Place Data
Assembly Drawings
PCB Specifications
Revision mismatches are one of the most common causes of quotation delays and manufacturing errors.
Gerber Files
Provide the latest production Gerber files together with NC drill files and fabrication drawings.
Pick & Place File
Accurate centroid data helps generate SMT placement programs and verify component orientation.
Assembly Drawings
Include assembly information that cannot be identified from Gerber files alone.
Typical examples include:
Component orientation
Polarized components
Connector installation
Mechanical notes
Special assembly instructions
Assembly Notes
If your product requires special manufacturing processes, include them with your RFQ.
Examples include:
Hand Soldering
Selective Soldering
Torque Requirements
Adhesive Application
Connector Locking
Customer-Specific Assembly Instructions
PCB Specifications
When PCB fabrication is included, specify:
Layer Count
PCB Thickness
Copper Weight
Surface Finish
Material Type
Controlled Impedance
Special Fabrication Requirements
Panel Requirements
Indicate whether PCB panels will be supplied by the customer or prepared by the PCB or EMS manufacturer.
Providing panelization requirements early helps engineering teams evaluate manufacturing efficiency, tooling requirements and production costs.
Programming Requirements
If firmware programming is required, provide:
Programming Files
Programming Method
Programming Interface
Programming Verification Method
Project Information
Project information helps determine the appropriate manufacturing strategy.
Please include:
Prototype Quantity
Initial Production Quantity
Estimated Annual Volume
Project Stage (Prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, NPI or Mass Production)
Target Lead Time
Shipping Destination
Knowing the project stage allows engineering and manufacturing teams to determine the appropriate level of review and production planning.
Supply Chain Information
Providing sourcing information early in the RFQ process helps procurement teams evaluate pricing, lead times and supply chain risks.
Early visibility into procurement requirements allows purchasing teams to plan sourcing strategies, identify potential supply risks and improve material planning before procurement begins.
Please include:
Procurement Model
Full Turnkey
Partial Turnkey
Consigned Materials
Customer-Supplied Materials
Identify all materials supplied by your company.
Contract Pricing
If you have contract pricing or preferred suppliers, provide:
Authorized Distributor
Preferred Supplier
Contract Number
Customer-Nominated Source
Approved Vendor List (AVL)
Include your AVL whenever applicable.
Alternative Components
Specify your substitution policy.
For example:
No substitutions
Customer approval required
EMS may recommend alternatives
Manufacturing & Testing Requirements
Clearly defining manufacturing requirements during the RFQ stage helps engineering teams determine the appropriate assembly process, inspection method and production flow before quotation.
Examples include:
SMT Assembly
Through-Hole Assembly
Box Build
Cable Assembly
Wire Harness
Conformal Coating
If applicable, specify the required IPC-A-610 acceptance class:
IPC-A-610 Class 2
IPC-A-610 Class 3
Testing requirements may include:
Functional Test (FCT)
In-Circuit Test (ICT)
SPI Inspection
AOI Inspection
X-Ray Inspection
Firmware Programming
Burn-In Testing
If customer-supplied fixtures, software or test procedures are required, please provide them during the quotation stage.
Regulatory, Quality & Compliance Requirements
If your project requires specific quality documentation, inspection requirements, regulatory compliance, or customer-defined quality standards, please specify them during the RFQ stage.
Examples include:
Quality Documentation
First Article Inspection (FAI)
Material Traceability
Certificate of Conformance (CoC)
Inspection Reports
Test Reports
Regulatory & Compliance Requirements
RoHS Compliance
REACH Compliance
UL Certification (if required)
VDE Certification (if required)
Customer-Specific Requirements
Customer-Specific Quality Documentation
Customer Inspection Requirements
Customer-Specific Acceptance Criteria
Providing these requirements during the RFQ stage enables our engineering, quality, procurement, and manufacturing teams to incorporate the necessary inspection, documentation, and compliance requirements into project planning and quotation.
If your project is subject to industry-specific requirements—such as medical, automotive, industrial, or aerospace standards—please provide the applicable customer specifications or regulatory requirements during the RFQ stage.
Engineering Review Before Quotation
A professional PCB assembly quotation begins with an engineering review—not simply a price calculation. At Leader Global Electronics, every PCB assembly quotation begins with an engineering review. Rather than simply pricing the BOM, we evaluate the project from engineering, procurement and manufacturing perspectives before preparing a quotation. During the review, our engineering, procurement and manufacturing teams evaluate:
Engineering documentation
BOM completeness
Revision consistency
Component availability
Supply chain risks
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Manufacturing process
Testing requirements
Production planning
When appropriate, practical engineering recommendations are provided before quotation to address identified issues and help optimize manufacturability, reduce production risks, and support a smoother transition into production. This review process helps reduce engineering changes, procurement delays and manufacturing risks while supporting a smoother transition from prototype to production. This engineering-first approach reflects how we support prototype, NPI and volume production projects. By identifying potential issues before procurement and manufacturing begin, we help customers reduce engineering changes, improve quotation accuracy and help projects move into production more efficiently.
Before You Submit Your RFQ
Before sending your RFQ, confirm that the following information is included:
Engineering Documents
✓ BOM
✓ Gerber Files
✓ Pick & Place File
✓ Assembly Drawings
✓ PCB Specifications
Project Information
✓ Build Quantity
✓ Annual Volume
✓ Project Stage
✓ Lead Time
Supply Chain
✓ Procurement Model
✓ Customer-Supplied Materials
✓ Contract Pricing (if applicable)
✓ Approved Vendor List (AVL)
✓ Alternative Component Policy
Manufacturing
✓ Manufacturing Requirements
✓ Testing Requirements
✓ Packaging Requirements
✓ Regulatory Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you provide a quotation with only a BOM?
A preliminary estimate may be possible, but a formal quotation typically requires complete engineering documentation.
Can I supply my own components?
Yes. We support turnkey, partial turnkey and consigned manufacturing models.
Can you source obsolete or long lead-time components?
Yes. When appropriate, we can recommend qualified alternative components and evaluate supply chain risks before production.
How long does it take to receive a quotation?
Quotation lead time depends on documentation completeness, project complexity and component availability.
Can you sign an NDA before reviewing our files?
Yes. We are happy to execute a mutual NDA before reviewing confidential project documentation.
Do you support prototype through mass production?
Yes. We support prototype builds, NPI, pilot production and volume manufacturing.
Ready to request a PCB assembly quote?
Whether you're building a prototype, introducing a new product or preparing for volume production, our engineering, procurement and manufacturing teams are ready to review your project.
Rather than preparing a quotation based solely on your BOM, we first review your engineering documentation, manufacturing requirements and sourcing strategy to ensure the quotation accurately reflects your production needs.
This engineering-first approach helps reduce unexpected issues during procurement and manufacturing while improving quotation accuracy from the start.
When appropriate, our engineering team also provides practical recommendations to improve manufacturability, reduce production risks, and streamline the transition from prototype to volume production.
Submit your BOM, Gerber files and supporting engineering documentation, and our engineering team will review your project, identify potential manufacturing risks and prepare an accurate quotation based on your production requirements.
📩 sales@leaderelec.com.tw
NDA support is available upon request.
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