IFB - Multi-provider On-Call, and As-Needed Title and Escrow Services in Yub & Sutter Counties

This contract is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) agreement for on-call and as-needed title and escrow services in Yuba and Sutter Counties, California, to support the acquisition of properties for future State highway facilities under the California Department of Transportation. Up to two qualified contractors may be awarded the agreement, which is restricted to entities licensed by the California Department of Insurance and compliant with state business registration and local licensing requirements. The contract spans a five-year period from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031, with service requests issued as needed until May 31, 2029, and a possible one-year extension for outstanding escrow orders. Services include preliminary title reports, litigation guarantees, title insurance policies, and escrow processing for residential and commercial transactions, with all work performed on-site at property locations within the two counties. Bids must be submitted in hard copy by the deadline of May 14, 2026, with no electronic submissions accepted, and must adhere strictly to the mandated format using state-prescribed forms including the Bid/Bidder Certification Sheet and certifications under the California Civil Rights Laws, Darfur Contracting Act, and Executive Orders on Russia sanctions and generative AI use. The contracting agency will evaluate bids using a lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) methodology, prioritizing full responsiveness and compliance over cost savings alone. Contractors must maintain active licensing, meet specified insurance coverage standards with state-endorsed carriers, encrypt state data on portable devices using FIPS 140-2 certified encryption, and immediately report any security breaches or loss of state-owned data. Invoices must include the agreement number, service request number, right-of-way number, dates, and place of service, all submitted to Caltrans’ Division of Procurement and Contracts. The contract requires full indemnification by the contractor for damages, injuries, or environmental risks arising from their work—even if the State is negligent—and prohibits subcontracting. All participants must certify compliance with employment laws, including affidavits regarding absence of undocumented worker employment, and DVBE, SB, or MB status may be claimed and verified via state certification programs, potentially influencing contract award considerations.