RFIs are completely different than RFPs. RFIs have much less stringent requirements, and are usually (gasp) awarded to whomever can convince the government that

RFIs are completely different than RFPs. RFIs have much less stringent requirements, and are usually (gasp) awarded to whomever can convince the government that their bid is the most capable or complete. RFPs are the scary ones, in which to even enter means you're competing with the likes of Boeing, Grumman, Halliburton, et al. Those are nigh impossible to win without serious inroads pre-existing.