123C7818Q0002_Amendment_003_Q_and_A.pdf

(x)

123C7818Q0002 x x copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

NRCS-AK-120150

PALMER AK 99645

SUITE 100

800 WEST EVERGREEN

USDA-NRCS-ALASKA STATE OFFICE

WASHINGTON DC 20250

NRCS-HQ-123C78

ROOM 6801-S

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW

USDA-NRCS CONTRACTING TEAM 3

NRCS-HQ-123C78

12/20/20170003

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

12/20/2017

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

BPA for Real Estate Abstracting and Title Services in the State of Kansas

The purpose of this amendment is to provide Q&A associated with this requirement.

All other terms and conditions remain the same.

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

RYAN LORIMER

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

I have a question about section:

• “52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items (Oct 2014)”

• “Prior Experience. Demonstrated preliminary title and closing services within the state of Kansas.

Prior work with Federal easement programs will be rated more highly than standard commercial easement efforts. Demonstrated knowledge/application of the Kansas Conservation Easement program in addition to that of the USDA-NRCS would be highly rated.”

Would the government accept demonstrated prior experience from five (5) title and closing services that were performed outside of the state of Kansas, as we have performed title and closing services for the USDA NRCS in different states, would these past performances be acceptable? Answer: The evaluation criteria specifies three elements of prior experience; demonstrated preliminary title and closing services within the state of Kansas, prior work with Federal easement programs, and demonstrated knowledge/application of the Kansas Conservation Easement program. This does not preclude you from submitting prior experience for work performed outside the state of Kansas or for work associated with standard commercial easement efforts, but does indicate that experience derived from work within Kansas, specifically for the Kansas Conservation Easement program, will be the most highly rated.

1. Is there an incumbent for these services and if so what is their name and the fees they have charged in the past? Answer: This information is not currently available to the CO.

2. While we are aware that these easements can be anywhere in the State of Kansas, historically, where have these easements been primarily located (i.e. what counties)? Answer: In the past few years there have been more wetland easements acquired in the western ½ of Kansas as opposed to earlier in the wetland easement program where most wetland easements were in southeast Kansas. Attached is a map the shows where easement have been acquired since the inception of the wetland easement program.

3. While we are aware that acquisition of these easements is dependent upon funding, what has been the average number of easements acquired annually in Kansas? Answer: There are 23 Fiscal Year 2017 enrollments that will need title commitment, closing services and title policy. Typically there are 10- 20 preliminary title searches needed each year that may lead to easement acquisition.

4. In multiple locations within the SOW there are statements requiring the closing agent to determine subsurface ownership. Typically, an NRCS closing agent determines if the subsurface rights are severed but no subsurface ownership is required to be determined. A subsurface ownership search is called a mineral rights search and those are very costly and cannot be performed by a title insurance agent. They are performed by “landmen” who have a special expertise in those searches. Please confirm that for this solicitation the closing agent is only expected to determine if the subsurface rights have been severed. Answer: The SOW was developed by national headquarters which does require identification of subsurface ownership. Contractor will need to consider this in setting the fee for preliminary title search and title commitment.

5. Please advise who prepares the deed WED with the necessary exhibits for execution by the seller? Answer: NRCS will develop the WED, subordination agreement and limited lien waiver and affidavit of non-production in consultation with the contractor. Other exhibits that may be needed to clear encumbrances will be developed by the contractor (Owner affidavit, etc)

6. When does NRCS execute the Acceptance by Grantee page of the WED? Answer: NRCS will execute the Acceptance by Grantee as soon as contractor notifies NRCS that documents have been sent to the landowner for signature. Goal is that all signed documents will arrive to contractor at the same time so documents can be submitted for recording at the courthouse.

7. Recording fees in Kansas are page dependent. The more pages of the deed then the higher cost of recording. A closing agent cannot quote a recording fee unless they know the exact number of pages that each legal description will be for the exhibits and how many pages the letter size surveys will be when added to the basic survey for each acquisition. Typically and therefore recording fees are paid at actual cost along with the title premium and are invoiced separately after the closing. Please confirm that recording fees along with the title insurance premium will be paid separately at actual cost after the closing. Further, please confirm that the cost of these two items will not be a part of the order maximum amount. Answer: NRCS contacting policy requires a set amount for services rendered. Therefore, a specific fee is to be provided for closing service which would include recording fees. The solicitation indicates the average amount of documents that are to be recorded. NRCS realizes that a contractor does have to estimate and determine a fee that would cover the costs for recording documents. The recording fees would be part of the closing service fee. The Title Policy is a separate fee that would be paid to the contractor based on the underwriters fee schedule, thus the reason for request of this fee schedule. The title policy fee can not be paid until USDA Office of General Counsel has approved of the recorded documents and title policy.

8. Will a survey plat need to be recorded by the closing agent? Answer: The surveyor that completes the boundary survey for NRCS is responsible for recording the survey plat.

9. The BPA states in Section V that the period of performance will be from award through 9/30/21. Yet, the period of performance information by CLIN states from award through 1/15/23. Which is correct? Answer: The BPA(s) will be awarded for a period of five (5) years. Dates will be updated at the time of award.

10. The BPA states in Section XII that the delivery dates are in terms of calendar days but the SOW states that the delivery dates are in business days. Each of these are very different requirements. Please clarify what the correct delivery dates are. Answer: The SOW supersedes the BPA with regard to delivery dates. This will be updated at the time of award.

11. The BPA states that invoices shall not be submitted through IPP until the work has been accepted by NRCS. How long will NRCS have to review and accept a closing agent’s work? Answer: Although this is not stated in the SOW, NRCS will have 10 business days to review documents for completeness.

12. In the BPA under FAR Clause 52.212-2 Evaluation it makes reference to the State of Minnesota. We believe that should read State of Kansas. Answer: Yes this should be Kansas.

RENO

63.1

FORD

1161.6

FINNEY

239.4

LYON

890.6

LOGAN

17.1

GRAY

1191.2

RICE

302.3

SMITH

59.5

BARBER

93.1

MEADE

1152.3

LANE

SUMNER

114.4

CLAY

466.9

TREGO

67.7

THOMAS

509.2

ROOKS

RAWLINS

75.8

CHASE

353.1

BARTON

422.6

SHERMAN

93.2

CLOUD

94.4

MIAMI

712.3

GRAHAM

148.8

SALINE

17.3 OSAGE

230.6

LINN

1609.1

WALLACE

HARPER

88.7

KINGMAN

226.7

SEDGWICK

CHEYENNE

288.3

MORRIS

194.9

SHERIDAN

116.4

GREELEY

110.1

ALLEN

171.4

STAFFORD

182.8

LABETTE

3979.3

WILSON

13.1

MITCHELL

20.3

REPUBLIC

1007.3

JACKSON

96.2

MCPHERSON

NEOSHO

3261.5

HARVEY

207.3

HASKELL

143.8

BOURBON

934.3

EDWARDS

61.3

FRANKLIN

304.8

WASHINGTON

51.3

WABAUNSEE

120.5

SHAWNEE

118.2

CHEROKEE

3770.2

ANDERSON

114.7

CRAWFORD

72.9

WOODSON

220.7

JEFFERSON

64.7

MONTGOMERY

323.5

DONIPHAN

664.7

LEAVENWORTH

195.3

NESS

GOVE

BUTLER

ELK

ELLIS

CLARK COWLEY

RUSH

MARION

JEWELL

PRATT

KIOWA

RILEY

KEARNY

SCOTT

NORTON PHILLIPS

RUSSELL

HAMILTON

DECATUR

OSBORNE

PAWNEE

OTTAWA

WICHITA

GREENWOOD

NEMAHAMARSHALL

LINCOLN

MORTON

GRANT

COFFEY

STEVENS

BROWN

SEWARD

HODGEMAN

STANTON

COMANCHE

ELLSWORTH

GEARY

POTTAWATOMIE

JOHNSONDOUGLAS

CHAUTAUQUA

ATCHISON

DICKINSON

WYANDOTTE

The data in this report was not obtained through the Resource Economic Analysis and Planning Division (REAP) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and as such is considered unofficial.

Natural Resources Conservation Service November 22, 2017 - Resource Conservation Staff - Salina, KS

KS-18-1

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Fiscal Year 1995-2017--Kansas Wetlands Reserve Program &

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easements

Total Enrollments

NRCS Administrative Areas 1st No. = Number of Enrollments 2nd No. = Number of Acres

Area No. of Enrollments Acres 1 . . . . . . . . . 31 . . . . . . . . 1,991.5 2 . . . . . . . . . 67 . . . . . . . . 5,657.2 3 . . . . . . . . 135 . . . . . . . 16,926.4 4 . . . . . . . . . 32 . . . . . . . . 3,147.7 Total . . . . . . 265 . . . . . . . 27,772.8

Enrollments 1 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 > 15