WRP Title Policy and Closing Services for Calhoun County, Texas

SYNOPSIS: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included with this notice. This solicitation includes provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-30. These includes, but are not limited (1) FAR Part 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial; (2) FAR Part 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items; (3) FAR Part 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; which must be submitted with the offer, in addition, FAR Part 52.212-4, Contract Term and Conditions-Commercial Items and FAR Part 52.212-5, THIS IS A TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. The Small Business size standard is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541191, Title Companies and Real Estate, which is $7.0 million average annual income. SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas, is seeking a Contractor to furnish all labor, equipment, materials, and incidentals required to complete all reasonable and necessary, including title evidence (in the form of a Preliminary Title Report) and a Title Insurance Policy and all closing services which are incident to the acquisition of a program easement (and access easement if necessary) by the United States of America in the State of Texas. SCOPE OF WORK: All services provided by the Contractor under this solicitation will be in compliance with the forgoing requirements and with the requirements of TX law and the rules and regulations governing the title insurance industry in Texas. Contractor will perform the same services which are customarily provided in a commercial transaction in the State of Texas including obtaining and recording deeds and any necessary curative documents to assure title to the program easement (and any access easement) is vested in the United States of America. Those services will include providing title evidence as specified in the Scope of Work. The title to the program easement any access easements which are to be acquired must be insurable by the title insurance company and acceptable to the NRCS and the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). All title exceptions appearing on the title insurance policy must be acceptable to and approved by NRCS and OGC. Contractors Qualification. Contractor must: 1. If an attorney, be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and be in good standing. If a title company, be qualified and authorized by law to furnish title evidence and title insurance; 2. Be familiar with and experienced in closing real estate transactions, disbursing funds at closing, preparation of title evidence and issuing title insurance policies in Texas. Contractor must have current knowledge of the requirements of Texas law (including title examination standards) concerning title searches, closing real estate transaction, title clearance and issuing title insurance policies; 3. Be experienced, financially responsible and reputable; 4. Must be authorized or licensed to conduct title insurance business in Texas including closing real estate transaction, disbursing funds at closing, disbursing funds at closing, and issuing title insurance policies; 5. Must be able to issue or write a title insurance policy for the acquisition. The title insurance company issuing the title insurance policy must be authorized to conduct business in and to issue title insurance policies in Texas; 6. Maintain a permanent office in Texas; 7. Have no interest in the land to be acquired; and not be related to the sellers of the land. The closing services will be performed in the State of Texas by a Title Company approved and licensed in the State of Texas and must be authorized to conduct business in the State of Texas and must be in compliance with Texas law and acceptable to the NRCS to close real estate transaction, disburse settlement funds and to write and issue title insurance in the State of Texas. In addition, the Closing Agent shall perform the closing in the county in which the program easement is located. AWARD: The Government will award a firm-fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation. The anticipated award date is on or before August 14, 2013. TIME FRAMES/DATE. The period of performance of this task is estimated to begin August 19, 2013. The entire project: Title Policy Issuance and Closing shall be completed within 180 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed (NTP). Upon receipt of a Notice of Award and Formal Notice to Proceed, the Closing Agent shall prepare and forward the following documents to the Contracting Officer. (Paragraph VI, Description of Services). 1. Proposed Subordination Agreements, releases or partial releases, if applicable; 2. The ORIGINAL Policy of Title Insurance (USA) on Form T-11 and one copy of all documents described on Schedule B as title exceptions or encumbrances. 3. Other documentation as may be required. The Policy of Title Insurance and other associated documents (T-11 and Exception Documents) (see above paragraphs 1,2, and 3) must be provided within 60 calendar days; for NRCS and Office of General Counsel (OGC) review. PRICE. The Government estimated price range for the project is under $25,000 SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS. This is a REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ) PROCUREMENT. Specific instructions for preparing and submission of quotes are provided in the solicitation. Interested and qualified firms must submit their bids no later than 2:00 pm (CDT), August 12, 2013 to the attention of Danny Mandell, Contracting Officer at the contracting office address listed in this notice. PREPARATION OF BIDS (NRCS, TX, DEC 2007) In order to receive complete consideration for award of a contract, prospective contractors are requested to submit bids consisting of the following: -- Completed STANDARD FORM (SF) 1449, sign and date -- Acknowledgment of any/all Amendments on Standard Form 30, sign and date (if applicable) -- Completed BID SCHEDULE -- Completed the online application for REPRESENTATIONS and CERTIFICATIONS, -- Provide your DUNS number on the front of SF 1449, block 17a. FACSMILE/EMAIL BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Contractors may submit facsimile quotes as response to this solicitation IAW FAR Part 52.214-31 FACSIMILE BIDS (DEC 1989). However, quotation must arrive at the place and by the time, specified in the solicitation. The Government will not be responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the facsimile quote. Contractors when mailing or hand carrying your RFQ packet, please ensure that the Solicitation No. AG-7442-S-13-0046 is annotated on the outside cover of the RFQ envelope or package. SAM REGISTRATION: All prospective contractors must register at www.sam.gov, to be considered for an award of a federal contract. It is the offeror's responsibility to check the FEDBIZOPPS website at: http://www.fedbizopps.gov for any revisions to this announcement or other notices. Email address for inquires is: contact@example.gov.