IPHC-2026-MR-010 – Request for Proposal (RFP): Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) Field Data Collection Application

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking a vendor to design, build, and deliver a next-generation at-sea data collection application to replace EaSea — the Windows tablet application supporting the Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) since 2016. EaSea is dependable but built on the aging .NET Framework 4.8.1 stack, with a device-dependent architecture and multi-hop sync pipeline that constrain scalability and long-term maintainability.

The replacement system must be offline-first and ruggedized for use aboard chartered longline vessels operating from Northern California through the Aleutians and the Bering Sea. It must run on a rugged Windows tablet that also hosts Sea-Bird Scientific software (SeatermV2 / Fathom) for the SBE 19plus V2 SeaCAT instrument, so a single device per vessel covers both functions.

Delivery is structured in two phases:

• Phase 1 (required): Full replication and replacement of EaSea workflows, validations, data structures, and reporting — covering trip setup, set and haul data, halibut biological sampling, 20-hook counts, bycatch, protected species and depredation, seabird observations, and end-of-day reporting — with equivalent or improved performance and clear conflict resolution and duplicate prevention.
• Phase 2+ (optional, modular): Extended capabilities including barcode/QR specimen tracking, electronic measurement device integration, an HQ data portal, automated reporting, and exploratory AI-assisted data collection.

Beyond the application, IPHC requires a modern development stack, full source code delivery with IPHC IP ownership, version control collaboration with IPHC’s in-house developer, documented acceptance criteria, security and compliance controls, and training and handover. Vendors should respond with their relevant expertise, recommended technical stack, timeline and budget, and proposed approach to phased implementation.

Request for Proposal: FISS Field Data Collection Application

This RFP is open until filled. We will begin our initial review of proposals on 13 July 2026.