The Rhode Island Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is contemplating multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA's) with qualified appraisal companies to conduct appraisals for the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). The Wetland Reserve Programs is used to purchase easements on former or degraded wetlands that were used for the production of food or fiber. The Grassland Reserve Program is used to purchase easements on grassland used for the production of hay, pasture or provide grassland habitat for wildlife. We expect approximately 4-10 appraisals needed annually for both programs. The appraiser will have the qualification found and will follow all guidance provided in the "Appraisal Specifications for Appraisals of Real Property for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)" or "Appraisal Specifications for Appraisals of Real Property for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)". The following documents will be provided as attachments: 1. Appraisal Specifications for Appraisals of Real Property for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) 2. Appraisal Specifications for Appraisals of Real Property for the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) 3. Checklist of Items to Provide Appraisers The appraisals must be completed in compliance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions and NRCS instructions. Vendors will be required to complete the appraisals with 45 days after receiving authorization to begin the appraisal. All appraisals will be technically reviewed prior to payment. All deficiencies found through the technical review will be addressed prior to the appraisal being accepted as complete and payment being approved. Appraisers shall be State of Rhode Island Certified General Real Property Appraisers and be in good standing with the licensing authority where the credential was issued. The appraiser must have demonstrated competency in compliance with USPAP in conducting appraisals of agricultural properties with and without conservation easements of the requested type. All appraisers must provide documentation of appraisal education courses attended including eminent domain or conservation easements courses, at least 40 hours of training in conducting appraisals and UASFLA (Yellow Book) for Yellow Book appraisals and shall be provided by the appraiser in the report. All contractors must register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) database at www.ccr.gov. The CCR can be contacted toll free at
+1 (555) 000-0000. 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 (555) 000-0000 or register online at 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. For more information on the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), the manual can be found at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/ For more information on the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), the manual can be found at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/GRP/