Closing Services for NRCS Conservation Easements

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is initiating multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) with qualified closing agents for use by the NRCS in obtaining conservation easements in Delaware. The conservation easements will be for wetlands and other conservation practices in accordance with the Wetlands Reserve Program and other Farm Bill programs. The contractor shall furnish all closing services, including obtaining title insurance from a title company approved by the U.S. Attorney General. The contractor will perform the same closing services as a commercial transaction, including abstracting, disbursement of funds, obtaining deeds and any necessary curative instruments to assure merchantable title to the conservation easement. This acquisition is set aside for small business. The NAICS code is 541191 and the size standard to qualify as a small business is less than $6,500,000 average annual gross receipts for the past three (3) years. The contractor should complete the Bid Schedule in Attachment #2. The estimated start date for the BPA is October 6, 2008 and it will remain in effect until cancelled by either party. We envision entering into multiple BPAs covering NRCS closing service needs for several years. All interested companies are invited to submit proposals for consideration and award of a BPA. Proposals are due no later than September 30, 2008. Proposals may be submitted by fax to Rhonda J. Tyndall, Contracting Officer, USDA, NRCS (302) 678-0843, or mail to USDA NRCS, Attn: Rhonda Tyndall, Contracting Officer, 1221 College Park Drive Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904. A BPA is a method of filling anticipated repetitive needs. It is not a contract. The Government is not obligated to place any orders nor are contractors obligated to accept any orders. For each work assignment, the Government will request title services from those that have been awarded BPAs. A Scope of Services outlining required services will be provided with each request. Individual task order proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the terms agreed to in the BPAs. Government personnel authorized to place task orders under the BPAs will be identified on the BPAs by name and telephone number. The contractor will be expected to furnish the service in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BPA, without need for additional paperwork beyond the Scope of Services that accompanies the request for proposal. Timely delivery of complete and accurate title commitments is crucial to the success of NRCS programs. Task orders will be assigned to the successful applicants requesting title services. Task orders are to be completed within fourteen (14) days of the task order date. If the vendor is unable to provide the title work within the 14 day period, NRCS is to be notified; otherwise it is expected to receive completed title work within 14 days. Central Contractor Registration: All contractors must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be awarded a BPA. You may register easily and quickly online at www.ccr.gov or 1-888-227-2423. The first step to registering is to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet (D&B). To request a DUNS number call D&B at 1-866-705-5711 or register online at http://www.dnb.com. Obtaining a DUNS number through this process is free of charge. It behooves anyone who is submitting a quote to begin this process as soon as possible since it can take several days to complete. Failure to register may cause a rejection of your offer. Contractors wishing to enter into a BPA must summit the following: a. Provide Contractor Name, Address, Phone, FAX, E-mail, and Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. b. Return the completed - Bid Schedule, specifying pricing for Preliminary Title Commitments and the counties in Delaware in which you are willing to complete title work (See Attachment #2). c. Identify and provide qualification information for key personnel (and any regularly and frequently used subcontractors) expected to participate in the work under the BPA, including years of experience, types of appraisals prepared, experience with conservation easements, and staffing levels. d. Describe your ability to perform in a timely manner and in compliance with performance schedules. e. Describe your ability to perform simultaneously on multiple title services. f. Provide a listing of previous experience in completing Government requested title Services. Please provide a point of contact for each Government contract that you have previously work on. g. Meet the following requirements: All title evidence must be obtained from qualified attorneys, abstracters, or title companies familiar with the preparation of such evidence in Delaware. They should have no interest in the land to be acquired; and not be related to the vendors. Title companies and their issuing agents must be qualified and authorized by law to furnish abstracts, certificates of title, or title insurance policies in the State of Delaware. The Government will issue multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offerors whose offers conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. All proposals submitted will be evaluated on the basis of the evaluation factors listed below: a. Ability to provide personnel with the education and experience required to perform the work described in the Scope of Services. b. Ability to perform in a timely manner and in compliance with performance schedules and quality of work for title work performed. c. Ability to perform simultaneously on multiple title services. d. Past experience in performing the work described in the Scope of Services, as well as experience in the area proposed. Past performance ratings demonstrating a commitment to customer satisfaction and timely delivery of quality services at fair and reasonable prices. e. Price. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror, shall result in an agreement. The Agreement places no obligation on the Government to purchase a minimum amount of services. The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized orders actually placed against the Agreement. Attachments: Attachment #1 - Title Company Specifications for Preliminary Title Commitments, Title Commitments and Title Policies Attachment #2 - Bid Schedule Attachment #3 - Department of Justice, Title Standards 2001 Attachment #4 - Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Warranty Easement Deed Attachment #5 - Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Conservation Easement Attachment #6 - Sample Scope of Services