Start with the unresolved decision
A long questionnaire can collect many facts without resolving the sourcing problem. State the intended product, volume window and reason for the review first. If the concern is a shared separator, prioritise feedstock and conversion questions. If the concern is scale-up, prioritise repeatable output and qualification. Give each question an owner and a reason it affects the decision.
The DOE assessment provides background on distinct stages of magnet supply. The questionnaire below is an analytical working template, not a certification checklist or a prescribed regulatory form.
US Department of Energy: Rare Earth Permanent Magnets Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment (2022) ↗
Ask questions that can be evidenced
Request the producing site's legal name and address, product specification, recent production period and evidence supporting the reported status. Ask which steps are performed there and which are outsourced. For availability, request the proposed allocation to your order rather than estimating it from capacity minus a headline customer agreement.
For each answer, keep the response date, document reference, scope and any confidentiality restriction. An assurance such as 'fully integrated' should lead to a stage-by-stage explanation. Where details cannot be shared, ask what assurance or verification process can address the gap without inventing the missing information.
Turn answers into a review queue
Separate confirmed answers from statements awaiting evidence and questions the supplier has not answered. Do not average these statuses into a single reassuring score. A missing certificate for a mandatory product requirement can block qualification even if the remaining responses are strong. Follow up on the questions that could change the shortlist first.
Questions to put to a candidate
| Question | Useful supporting response |
|---|---|
| Where is our product made? | Named site, operator and production step |
| What can you allocate to us? | Product-specific quantity and delivery window |
| What is the backup route? | Qualified source, switching conditions and evidence |
Your review checklist
- Which facility and production line would fulfil the order?
- Which feedstock and conversion steps are outsourced?
- What output has the relevant process achieved?
- What supplier or process changes trigger requalification?
Investigate with Oreline
Research the candidate in Oreline before sending the questionnaire. Its facility, output and relationship evidence lets the team replace generic requests with specific questions about the gaps that matter to its sourcing decision.
Follow the evidence through the supply chain.
Explore Oreline’s guided investigations. No account required.
Explore the sandbox →Frequently asked questions
Should every supplier receive the same questions?
Use a common core for comparability, then tailor follow-ups to the material stage and the unresolved decision.
Can a completed questionnaire be treated as verification?
Completion is not the same as corroboration. Retain supporting evidence and distinguish supplier-reported statements from verified findings.