SIP Mobile App Consultant

INTERVIEW= Onsite / Virtual JOB TYPE= Onsite 3. Scope of Work The Contractor shall provide services of an IT developer to design, develop, test, and deploy the Structure Inspection Mobile Application and related APIs and database components. Mobile Application Development Support deployment of the iOS application to SFWMD-managed Apple devices, including assistance with Apple Developer Program requirements, application signing, and distribution using SFWMD-approved methods (e.g., App Store, enterprise distribution, or mobile device management) Develop a mobile application compatible with: o Apple iPad (iOS) o Android tablets The mobile application shall: o Operate fully without reliance on network connectivity o Store inspection data locally on the device o Synchronize data securely when connectivity is restored o Support structured inspection workflows, data entry, and validation o Be suitable for outdoor and field-use conditions Offline Data Availability and Storage The mobile application shall be designed to support offline-first operation consistent with Apple iOS best practices. The application must provide the capability to pre-download, cache, and securely store all data required to perform structure inspections without reliance on network connectivity. Offline-accessible data shall include, at a minimum: Inspection-related master data Lookup and reference values Inspection checklists and templates Any additional metadata required to execute inspection workflows Local data storage shall leverage iOS-recommended persistence mechanisms and must be optimized for performance, reliability, and efficient use of device storage. Offline Operation and Data Capture Users must be able to complete inspection activities entirely while offline. All data captured during offline operation shall be stored locally on the device in a durable and reliable manner. The application must gracefully handle transitions between offline and online states without data loss or user disruption. Synchronization and Data Consistency The application shall implement a robust synchronization mechanism aligned with iOS networking and background processing best practices. Upon restoration of network connectivity, the application shall automatically synchronize locally stored data with backend systems. Synchronization behavior shall: o Execute automatically when connectivity is available o Support background synchronization where permitted by the iOS platform o Be resilient to intermittent connectivity and network failures o Ensure data integrity, completeness, and consistency between the mobile device and backend systems The Contractor shall implement appropriate conflict detection and resolution strategies and ensure that synchronization failures are logged and recoverable without requiring user re-entry of data. Photo Capture and Geospatial Capabilities o Support photo capture using the device camera during inspections o Allow multiple photos to be associated with a structure and/or inspection record o Automatically capture and store geospatial metadata (latitude and longitude) for each photo when available o Capture and store structure location data, independent of photo location, when applicable o Ensure photo capture and geospatial data collection function during offline operation o Synchronize photos and geospatial data when network connectivity is restored 3.2 Backend Services and APIs Implement secure user authentication and authorization using OAuth 2.0, ensuring that mobile and web applications enforce role-based access and data protection in accordance with Agency requirements Design and implement RESTful APIs to support: o Mobile and web application functionality o Secure data synchronization o Management of inspection, photo, and geospatial data o Management of Master Data / lookup values Backend services shall be implemented using: o Java o Jersey framework Database Design and Integration Review current relational database components and design and implement necessary enhancement to support the application Preferred database platform: o Oracle Database design shall: o Support inspection, photo, and geospatial data storage o Ensure data integrity, performance, and security o Allow for future expansion of geospatial analysis and reporting capabilities 3.4 Skills / Competency Requirements The Contractor shall provide personnel with the following minimum qualifications: Mobile Application Development: o Minimum 5 years of professional experience in design, development and deployment of mobile applications using React Native Java Development: o Minimum 5 years of experience using the Jersey framework Relational Database Experience: o Minimum 5 years of experience o Oracle experience strongly preferred 3.5 Deliverables The Contractor shall provide deliverables that shall include, but are not limited to: Mobile application for iOS iPad (using React Native or agreed upon technology) REST API services Database schema and related scripts for necessary enhancements Technical documentation, including: o Application architecture o API documentation Database design o Deployment and configuration instructions Weekly status and progress reports 4. Summary of Schedule of Tasks, Milestones, and Acceptance Criteria The Contractor shall perform the work in accordance with the milestones outlined below. Completion of each milestone is subject to SFWMD review and written acceptance. The SFWMD may withhold acceptance until the applicable acceptance criteria are met. Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Requirements Confirmation Estimated Time: Month 1 Tasks: Review existing SFWMD documentation and workflows Conduct meetings with SFWMD stakeholders and subject matter experts Confirm functional, technical, and non-functional requirements Identify risks, assumptions, and dependencies Define development approach and tools Deliverables: Review and understand documented requirements High-level system architecture and technical approach Updated project schedule with milestone dates Acceptance Criteria: Requirements are clearly documented and approved by the SFWMD Architecture and technical approach align with SFWMD standards and objectives Project schedule is reasonable and mutually agreed upon Milestone 2: Application and Data Architecture Design Estimated Timing: Month 2 Tasks: Design mobile application architecture Design Angular web application architecture Design REST API and backend services Design database schema, including geospatial data elements Define offline data storage and synchronization approach Deliverables: Application architecture design documentation API design documentation Database schema and data model Offline synchronization design Acceptance Criteria: Design supports offline operation and secure data synchronization Geospatial data is supported for structures, inspections, and photos Designs are complete, internally consistent, and approved by the SFWMD Milestone 3: Core Backend and API Development Estimated Timing: Months 3 5 Tasks: Implement RESTful APIs using Java and Jersey Implement database schema and data access layers Implement security and access controls Support integration with mobile and web applications Deliverables: Deployed backend services (development or test environment) API endpoints supporting inspection, photo, and geospatial data Database scripts and configurations OAuth 2.0 authentication is fully implemented and tested Acceptance Criteria: APIs function as designed and support required use cases Data is correctly persisted and retrieved, including geospatial metadata APIs are accessible and testable by the SFWMD Milestone 4: Mobile Application Development (Offline Inspection Capability) Estimated Timing: Months 6-9 Tasks: Develop mobile application for iOS and Android tablets Implement offline inspection workflows Implement local data storage and synchronization logic Implement photo capture and association with inspection records Deliverables: Mobile application builds for iOS and Android Demonstration of offline inspection workflows Photo capture functionality with metadata storage Acceptance Criteria: Application functions without network connectivity Inspection data and photos are stored locally while offline Data successfully synchronizes once connectivity is restored Photos are correctly associated with inspections and structures Only authorized users can access the mobile application according to assigned roles Milestone 5: System Integration and End-to-End Testing Estimated Timing: Months 10 Tasks: Perform integration testing across mobile, web, backend, and database components Resolve defects and performance issues Support SFWMD-led system and user acceptance testing Deliverables: Integrated system available for testing Test results and defect resolution documentation Acceptance Criteria: End-to-end workflows function correctly No high-severity defects remain open System meets documented requirements and performance expectations Only authorized users can access the web interface according to assigned roles Milestone 6: User Acceptance, Deployment Support, and Knowledge Transfer Estimated Timing: Months 11-12 Tasks: Support user acceptance testing (UAT) Support iOS application deployment, including Apple platform submission, signing, and distribution activities in coordination with the SFWMD Assist with deployment to SFWMD environments Provide technical documentation and knowledge transfer sessions Deliverables: Final system release iOS application is successfully deployed and installable on SFWMD-designated iPad devices using the approved distribution method Complete technical documentation Knowledge transfer sessions completed Acceptance Criteria: SFWMD formally accepts the system Documentation is complete and accurate SFWMD personnel can operate and support the system independently 5. Project Schedule