MBS Legal Services (Acknowledgement Agreements and Issuer Liquidity Matters)

Sources Sought Synopsis

This is a Sources Sought synopsis for market research to identify potential sources for Legal Services (Acknowledgement Agreement Reviews and Issuer Liquidity Matters) in support of Ginnie Mae’s Mortgage-Backed Securities Program. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting this research to determine the procurement method. This is not a request for proposals.

Vendors should demonstrate core competencies in:

• Providing programmatic Acknowledgement Agreement (AA) work.
• Avoiding ethical conflicts of interest related to AA work or issuer liquidity matters.
• Knowledge of residential mortgage-backed securities, structured finance, and tax law.
• Sufficient licensed attorneys to handle 6-10 AAs per month, potentially increasing to 15.
• Experience supporting similar requirements (Federal or Commercial).
• Unique differentiators and benefits of services offered.

Vendors are also invited to provide feedback on the draft Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• NAICS Code: 541110 – Office of Lawyers (Size Standard: $15.5M)

• Product Service Code (PSC): R418 – Support Professional Legal

• Contemplated performance metrics, report requirements, dollar value, and place of performance are detailed in the draft PWS.

• Interested parties should submit capability statements addressing the particulars of the effort, with supporting documentation.

• Information requested includes: organization name, address, email, website, phone number, size, and ownership type.

• If subcontracting or teaming is anticipated, address the administrative and management structure.

• Capability statements will be assessed for competencies, differentiators, and past performance.

• The government will evaluate market information for capacity, resource availability, project management capabilities, and ability to perform under a performance-based contract.

• Submission Deadline: April 2, 2026, by 2:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Email responses to Tarita Leftwich (Tarita.L.Leftwich@hud.gov) and Jennifer Perez (Jennifer.M.Perez@hud.gov).

Based on responses, the requirement may be set aside for socio-economic programs, small business competition, or procured through full and open competition or GSA. Interested offerors must specify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), business size (NAICS), socioeconomic categories, GSA contract number (if applicable), and any other applicable GWAC numbers.

• Submission of information is purely voluntary.
• The government assumes no financial responsibility for costs incurred.
• Generic brochures are not requested.
• Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.
• No feedback or evaluations will be provided on submissions.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide legal services supporting Ginnie Mae's Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) program, focusing on Acknowledgement Agreements (AA) reviews and issuer liquidity matters, to enhance secondary mortgage market liquidity and attract capital.

• Provide legal advice and recommendations for Acknowledgement Agreements (AA).

• Offer general legal counsel on issuer liquidity concerns, mortgage-backed securities, structured finance, securities, and tax law.

• Support Ginnie Mae's objective of ensuring liquidity in the secondary mortgage market.

• Specific tasks include Project Management Plan development, Conflict of Interest Resolution, Legal Services for AA reviews and Issuer Liquidity Matters, and Transition-In/Out Activities.

• Project Management Plan (PMP): Draft due at Kick-off Meeting; final due within 5 business days of comments; updated monthly.

• Conflict of Interest Resolution Plan: Draft due at Kick-off Meeting; final due within 5 business days of comments.

• Weekly Status Reports: Due every Tuesday.

• Monthly Overview Reports: Due by the 1st business day of each month.

• Transition-In Plan: Final due within 5 business days of comments.

• Transition-Out Plan: Final due within 30 business days of comments.

• Quality Control Plan (QCP): Due within 30 days of award (or with proposal if an evaluation factor); updated within 14 business days of changes.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base period of 12 months and four (4) 12-month option periods.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's facility. Travel to HUD facilities in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area may be required.

• Non-Personal Services: Contractor manages its employees; Government does not supervise methods or assign tasks.

• Special Qualifications: Attorneys must be licensed to practice law and possess experience in AA work, knowledge of MBS, structured finance, and tax law. Sufficient staff to handle 6-15 AAs per month.

• Conflict of Interest: Strict adherence to ABA Model Rules and FAR. Offerors must submit a conflict resolution plan with their initial offer.

• Deliverables: Project Management Plan, Conflict Resolution Plan, Weekly Status Reports, Monthly Overview Reports, Transition-In Plan, Transition-Out Plan, Quality Control Plan.

• Government-Furnished Property/Services: None provided.