RFR_Request_For_Information__RFI_.docx

State of California, Department of Fish and Wildlife

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

State of California, Department of Fish and Wildlife

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

FOR

CDFW RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS (RFR)

MOBILE APPLICATION PROJECT

Release Date: July 28, 2026

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Table of Contents

Request for Information (RFI) Introduction and Overview The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to solicit industry input from qualified vendors on the development of a publicly accessible mobile application for Recreational Fishing Regulations (RFR).

CDFW is seeking information on innovative approaches and industry best practices for designing and implementing an interactive, map-based mobile application that enables users to easily access applicable recreational marine and inland fishing regulations based on their geographic location. The application is expected to provide a geospatially driven user experience, support offline functionality, and present regulatory information in a clear, intuitive format. By improving access to location-specific fishing regulations, the application will enhance public understanding, promote regulatory compliance, and support responsible recreational fishing throughout California.

Key Action Dates Listed below are the RFI Key Action Dates and times (all times noted are Pacific Time) by which actions should be taken or completed.

*Please note that the completeness and relevance of your RFI response to Attachment A will determine selection of vendors who will be invited to the Demonstration Day presentations as shown in the Key Actions Dates.

**These dates may shift based on the number of submissions and other outside factors.

RFI Response Instructions

1. Responses to this RFI must be submitted via e-mail to the Contact Information in I.C.

2. Contact information including the name, title, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the primary contact person for the RFI (can be provided on Attachment B – RFI Response Checklist).

3. Responses must be submitted by the date and time stated in Section 1.A. Key Action Dates.

4. Vendors must submit a signed cover letter with their response to the RFI that also includes a statement by the individual certifying the information in the response is true and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge at the time of submittal.

5. Vendors should respond to all applicable information in the RFI attachments and submit the following:

a. Submit Vendor Profile:

i. Limit five (5) pages.

ii. Profile should describe company, highlight presence in SQL market.

iii. Include information in your profile that is most relevant to this RFI.

b. Complete Attachment A – Vendor Questionnaire

i. Limit twenty (25) pages.

c. Complete Attachment B – RFI Vendor Checklist

d. Review Exhibit 1 – CDFW Recreational Fishing Regulations Requirements

6. The completeness and relevance of your RFI response to Vendor Profile, Attachment A and the ability to meet our high-level requirements will determine selection of vendors who will be invited to the Demonstration Day presentations as shown in the Key Actions Dates.

Contact Information Vendors must submit their written response, via e-mail to the State contact listed below:

Contact: Edward Drennan Agency: CDFW IT Governance and Support Branch Email: ITProcurement@wildlife.ca.gov Vendor Questions Vendors must submit questions regarding this RFI, via e-mail, by the specified date and time stated in Section I.A. Key Action Dates to the email contact stated in Section I.C. Contact Information.

What to Include in an Inquiry

1. Include in the email subject line: RFI_26_RecreationalFishingRegulations_001, and “Question(s).”

2. Vendor name and contact, telephone number, e-mail address.

3. A description of the subject or issue in question, or discrepancy found.

4. RFI section, page number, or other information useful in identifying the specific problem or issue stated in the in question.

5. All questions will be responded to in writing via e-mail to all parties that have expressed an intent to respond to the RFI.

State’s Review of RFI Responses The State will evaluate RFI responses based on full submission with an emphasis on answers received in Attachment A.

Evaluation is ONLY for the purpose of determining invitations for vendor demonstrations and does not impact a vendor’s ability to respond to future procurement(s) associated with this project or technology. Evaluation is scored on completeness and relevance of the responses to CDFW’s needs as expressed in this RFI.

Invitations to Demonstrate Vendors will be notified by email, according to the key action dates, if invited to participate in vendor demonstrations based on the completeness and relevance of your RFI response. The schedule will be selected on a first-come basis. CDFW reserves the right to extend the demonstration schedule should the quality and quantity of the responses warrant additional demonstrations.

Vendor Presentation Days (Demo Day) During the upcoming Demo Day, we have specific expectations for your vendor presentation, which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and will be up to 2 hours in duration.

Here's a breakdown of the agenda:

· 15 Minutes: Introductions We'll begin with broad introductions from both the vendor and CDFW teams.

· 90 Minutes: Product Demonstration and Alignment This segment is dedicated to showcasing your product. Please highlight how it meets our high-level requirements, discuss future enhancements, and explain how it specifically addresses CDFW’s needs. We also expect to hear about your support and training options.

· 10 Minutes: CDFW Questions & Answers We'll have dedicated time to CDFW team members to ask questions not covered in the demonstration.

· 5 Minutes: Closing Discussion We'll conclude with a final discussion.

CDFW expects the demonstration to clearly illustrate how the chosen vendor can best meet the Recreational Fishing Regulations current and expanding needs, including its operational service requirements. Your presentation should focus specifically on how your solution directly addresses these needs.

RFI Disclaimer The RFI process is not a contract. This RFI nor any information provided by any Vendors hereto shall be deemed to create any legally binding agreement or obligations upon CDFW. This RFI is solely designed to provide CDFW with meaningful information to enable CDFW to determine how to proceed with a possible upcoming project.

Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Vendors are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State is not responsible for any expenses associated with responding to this RFI. CDFW will consider vendor responses in developing a bid such as, but not limited to, a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or other action.

The submission of a response does not constitute any commitment on the part of the interested party. However, the Vendor agrees that the submitted information is correct to the best of the Vendor’s knowledge. Also, the right to compete in future procurements is not affected if the party chooses not to submit a response to this RFI. CDFW is also interested in learning the reasons for not submitting a response.

Vendors are advised that all documents submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the State of California and will be regarded as public records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) pursuant to Government Code Section 6250 et seq. and subject to review by the public. The intent of this RFI is to validate project objectives and requirements for possible future solicitation(s). Please do not include any confidential or proprietary information in responses to this RFI as it may be disclosed or be subject to a Public Records Act (PRA) request.

RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS OVERVIEW

Background The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) modernized the management of recreational fishing regulations through Phase I of the Recreational Fishing Regulations (RFR) project by transitioning printed regulation booklets to an online-only format in 2021 and developing a centralized regulations database and Content Management System (CMS). While the database now serves as the authoritative source for recreational fishing regulations and is actively maintained by CDFW, public access to regulatory information remains distributed across multiple web-based resources, including maps, webpages, and digital regulation booklets. These resources require internet connectivity and do not provide a single, unified, location-based experience for accessing all applicable recreational fishing regulations. Through this Request for Information (RFI), CDFW is seeking vendor input on industry best practices, innovative technologies, and implementation approaches for developing a native, map-based mobile application with integrated geospatial (GIS) capabilities and offline functionality.

Building on the Phase I foundation, CDFW intends to develop a native mobile application for Android and iOS that provides users with an intuitive, map-based interface for accessing location-specific recreational marine and inland fishing regulations. The project will also enhance the existing regulations database and CMS to better manage complex regulatory, spatial (GIS), and species-specific information while enabling non-technical staff to efficiently maintain regulatory content. The proposed solution should improve public access to current fishing regulations by allowing anglers to identify location-specific restrictions, plan fishing activities, access regulations with or without internet connectivity, and receive timely regulatory updates across California's inland and marine waters.

Business Problems and Objectives Business Problems CDFW's recreational fishing regulations are currently accessed through multiple web-based resources, including maps, webpages, and digital regulation booklets. While these resources provide valuable information, they require internet connectivity and do not offer a single, integrated, location-based experience for accessing all applicable recreational fishing regulations. In addition, the complexity of overlapping marine and inland regulations, management areas, water bodies, and species-specific requirements can make it difficult for users to quickly identify and understand the regulations that apply to their location. As a result, the current approach limits accessibility, reduces clarity, and makes it more challenging for the public to understand and comply with recreational fishing regulations.

· Lack of a Centralized Mobile Solution: There is no single, publicly accessible mobile application that provides access to recreational fishing regulations.

· Location-Specific Regulations: Recreational marine and inland fishing regulations vary by geographic location, making it difficult for users to identify the regulations that apply to where they are fishing.

· Limited User Experience: Existing methods for accessing fishing regulations do not provide an interactive, map-based experience that allows users to easily locate relevant regulatory information.

· Lack of Offline Accessibility: Current resources do not support offline functionality, limiting access to fishing regulations in areas without internet connectivity.

· Regulatory Information Presentation: Fishing regulations are not presented in a clear and intuitive format, making them more difficult for users to understand.

· Public Understanding and Compliance: Limited accessibility to location-specific regulations may reduce public understanding and make it more challenging for users to comply with applicable fishing regulations.

Business Objectives In addition to the business requirements listed in Exhibit 1, CDFW aims to achieve the following key objectives with a new system for the Recreational Fishing Regulations (RFR):

· Develop a Public Mobile Application: Create a publicly accessible mobile application for Recreational Fishing Regulations (RFR).

· Provide Interactive Map-Based Access: Implement an interactive, geospatial map interface that enables users to easily identify applicable recreational marine and inland fishing regulations based on their location.

· Enable Offline Functionality: Provide offline access to fishing regulations so users can retrieve information even when internet connectivity is unavailable.

· Improve Information Accessibility: Present fishing regulations in a clear, intuitive, and user-friendly format to simplify access to regulatory information.

· Enhance Public Understanding: Improve users' understanding of recreational fishing regulations by providing accurate, location-specific information.

· Promote Regulatory Compliance: Make applicable fishing regulations easier to locate and understand to support compliance with California's recreational fishing requirements.

· Support Responsible Recreational Fishing: Provide accessible regulatory information that encourages responsible recreational fishing practices throughout California.

Glossary

Attachment A – Vendor Questionnaire [Included as a separate file - see attached word document]

Attachment B – RFI Response Checklist

Exhibit 1 – CDFW Recreational Fishing Regulations Requirements image1.png