lar performance metrics, then unless you have a specific need or requirement, align them with standardized performance tests. For example, asking for the cTE, dTEL, filter bandwidth, or input tolerance allows an apples-to-apples comparison between responses from different vendors. Alternatively, a question without specific test conditions allows the vendors to assume test cir- cumstances that give them leeway to present their best result and prevent meaningful comparisons. Hopefully these few tips will help you improve your next timing RFP and get the product that is as closely aligned to your needs as possible. Just as it is in the buyer's interest not to get the wrong product, it is in the vendors' interest not to sell you the wrong product for the job. That just causes pain for both parties. Generally, the RFP process is a good one, but SO is the request for information (RFI). Many times, when branching out into a new area of technology, the operator will send out an RFI to a wide range of vendors to get a feeling for the state of the industry. This is a good way to understand in what dir- ection the mainstream is heading. Another very helpful activity to understand timing in the various industries is to attend conferences dedicated to timing. In the telecommunications space, there are two conferences of note, one in Europe and one in North America: The International Timing & Synchronization Forum (ITSF) is a four-day conference that switches locations each year among various interesting European cities. ITSF has a large and active steering group and always attracts a lively and enthusiastic set of delegates. Although fo- cused primarily on telecoms, ITSF also features papers concerning timing in the finance, broad- cast, automotive, smart grid, Internet of things (IoT), datacenter, and transport industries. It is usually held in the first week of November every year. See http://www.telecom-sync.com for details. The Workshop on Synchronization and Timing Systems (WSTS) is a three-day conference sponsored by th