Title Search and Closing Services for California NRCS Easement Programs
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 Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is soliciting quotes for Title Search and Closing Services for its Easement Programs in California. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside for a single, firm-fixed-price contract. Services are required for the acquisition of conservation easements under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). Quotes are due May 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive title and closing services, including:
- Preliminary title reports, including copies of all creating instruments, and working with NRCS and landowners to clear title exceptions and resolve vesting interests.
- Title commitments covering the easement area and ingress/egress descriptions.
- Holding funds in escrow, providing closing protection coverage, and complying with IRS tax reporting.
- Obtaining signatures on warranty easement deeds and subordination agreements.
- Recording documents in local land records offices.
- Providing final title insurance policies and performing other services necessary to finalize easement transactions. Services are required for multiple specific properties across California, as detailed in Attachments 4-12.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.
- Period of Performance: Approximately 365 days after receipt of award.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.
- NAICS: 541191 – Title Abstract and Settlement Offices (Small Business Size Standard: $19.5M).
- Place of Performance: Various locations across California, with the contracting office in Davis, CA.
Eligibility & Submission
- Eligibility: Offerors must be 100% small business concerns, licensed to conduct title insurance business in California, and their title insurance company and issuing agents must be on the U.S. Attorney General's List and approved by the California insurance commissioner. Active SAM.gov registration is required prior to award and must remain active throughout the period of performance.
- Submission: Quotes must be submitted via email on company letterhead, signed, and dated. A completed Quote Sheet (Attachment 2) and Vendor Information Sheet (Attachment 3) are mandatory.
- Questions Due: May 1, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.
- Quotes Due: May 8, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.
Evaluation Criteria
Award will be made to the responsible quoter offering the best value to the Government, utilizing a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) approach. Evaluation factors include:
- Qualifications: Verification of required licensing and approvals.
- Past Performance: Evidence of relevant experience, preferably with federal government acquisitions or three commercial references.
- Locality: Proximity to project counties and ability to provide cost-effective services.
- Timeliness: Capacity to meet Statement of Work performance standards (e.g., preliminary reports within 21 business days, closing within 30 calendar days of federal funds).
- Price Quotes: Firm-fixed price per line item as detailed in Attachment 2.