Assessment of Title Complexity Associated with Informally Owned Real Property
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The USDA Forest Service is seeking proposals for a Firm-Fixed Price contract to conduct an Assessment of Title Complexity Associated with Informally Owned Real Property. This research aims to understand how informal property ownership impacts access to HUD Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) in communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The project will focus on four specific cities: Asheville, NC; Tampa, FL; Greenville, SC; and Atlanta, GA. This is an unrestricted requirement, open to all businesses. Questions are due January 20, 2026, and the response date is February 5, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will examine informal property ownership in the specified cities and surrounding counties. Key tasks include:
- Assessing the state and number of informal properties.
- Categorizing various levels and types of informal ownership.
- Determining the kinds and costs of legal services required to formalize property titles.
- Identifying properties most likely eligible for CDBG-DR funding.
- Tracing CDBG-DR funding from HUD to state and local levels (pending additional funding).
Deliverables include an Informal Property Database, Title Complexity Stratification, Heat Maps, and Title Work Case Studies.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price.
- Period of Performance: One 2-year base period and one 1-year option period, totaling up to three years. Project start date is anticipated for March 1, 2026.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted; not set-aside for small business concerns.
- NAICS Code: 541191 (Real Estate Property Managers), with a $20 million small business size standard.
- Place of Performance: Research will be conducted in Asheville, NC; Tampa, FL; Greenville, SC; and Atlanta, GA. Potential travel to Knoxville, TN; Atlanta, GA; and Cambridge, MA.
Key Personnel & Special Requirements
The contractor's Key Personnel must possess expertise in Geographic Information Systems, statistical analyses, and natural resource management. The Project Administrator is required to have a law degree, a minimum of 5 years of experience as a real property attorney, and 5 years of experience with heirs' property title clearance. All collected data must be kept confidential, and data ownership resides with the USDA Forest Service.
Submission & Evaluation
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). Offers will be evaluated based on:
- Technical Approach
- Qualifications of Key Personnel
- Price Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government. Quotes are requested, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.
Deadlines & Contacts
- Questions Due: January 20, 2026, by email to Shannon Wrobel (shannon.wrobel@usda.gov) with a courtesy copy to Keith Friot (keith.d.friot@usda.gov).
- Response Date: February 5, 2026.
- Published Date: January 8, 2026.