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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION BUSINESS CENTER, is soliciting proposals for Title Search and Closing Services for California NRCS Easement Programs. This opportunity is a Request for Quotation (RFQ), anticipating the award of one firm fixed-priced contract. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive title and closing services for the acquisition of conservation easements under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) across various California counties, including Humboldt, Yolo, Colusa, Sacramento, Lassen, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, and Fresno. Services include:
- Providing preliminary title reports (non-insured, detailing status and exceptions, including research and copies of underlying documents).
- Clearing title exceptions and resolving vesting interests.
- Providing title commitments and final title insurance policies.
- 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.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price
- Period of Performance: Approximately 365 days after award.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- NAICS Code: 541191 – Title Abstract and Settlement Offices (Small Business Size Standard: $19.5M).
Submission & Evaluation
- Quotes Due: May 8, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.
- Submission Method: Email quotes on company letterhead, signed and dated.
- Eligibility: Offerors must be licensed to conduct title insurance business in California, and their title insurance company/agents must be on the U.S. Attorney General's List and approved by the State's insurance commissioner. Active SAM.gov registration is required prior to award and must remain active.
- Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA), considering:
- Qualifications: Licensing and approvals.
- Past Performance: Evidence of past performance (preferably Federal/NRCS or three commercial transactions with references).
- Locality: Proximity to project counties and cost-effectiveness.
- Timeliness: Capacity to meet SOW timeframes (e.g., preliminary title reports within 21 business days, closing within 30 days of federal funds).
- Price Quotes: Firm-fixed price per line item using Attachment 2 – Quote Sheet. Estimated purchase prices for properties or a published fee schedule may be used for title insurance premium calculations.
Key Clarifications (Amendment 0001)
An amendment issued on May 5, 2026, clarified that the pricing structure and evaluation criteria for CLIN 1 (Preliminary Title Report/Search) are aligned, requiring costs to include research, copies, and the report. The preliminary title report should be a standard, non-insured document detailing title status and exceptions, not a commitment to insure. Offerors may use estimated property purchase prices or a published fee schedule for title insurance premium calculations.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact Ms. C. Thomas at chauquetta.thomas@usda.gov.