Artscape has found this tool most useful in the pre-project development stage and often uses an REOI to test and refine the vision, mission and mandate of a project and to gain an understanding of the spatial and technical requirements for the project. An REOI provides a wonderful opportunity to communicate the preliminary ideas for a project to a relevant audience and solicit responses that help shape those ideas into a clearly-defined vision and an outline for the building program.

The REOI is also an opportunity for interested parties to respond with the requested information so that they may be informed about future announcements related to the project, including the competitive selection process. It should be noted, however, that responding to an REOI is not a prerequisite to participating in the competitive selection process and does not imply any binding commitment by any party.