AMDMNT_NO__0001_-_Q_A_0001.pdf

Solicitation No. 140R6025Q0003 Amendment No. 0001

1) The body of the solicitation in SAM.gov states that 140 easements will need to be searched. Yet the pricing schedule shows a quantity of 150. Which one is correct or are both of these just estimates?

There are approximately 140 easements to be searched. However, some of these easements span multiple county parcels that have been subdivided over time. We assumed that the contractor would perform the searches based on either county parcels or landowner names. As a result, the total number of searches may exceed the initial estimate of 140 easements.

If we get to Year 5 and there’s more OR less than 30 easements remaining, the vendor will only bill for work performed. The quantities on the price schedule are estimates only.

2) The pricing schedule shows a period of time of 5 years with a quantity of 30 per year.

a) Will those 30 assignments be assigned all at once or periodically?

Periodically.

b) If periodically, how often?

To be determined. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates 5 easements assigned every 60 days. The process to abandon easements will take place after the search, however, it is important that the searches remain timely to the abandonment process limiting the potential for changes that would affect the accuracy of the title search.

c) If periodically, what is the maximum amount that would be assigned at once?

To be determined. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates 5 assigned every 60 days. If that number were to increase, that would be dependent on efficiencies made to the workflow of Reclamation’s abandonment process and coordination with the contracted company.

The estimated number of requested searches per year is approximately 30. Please provide the government with the total number of searches you can conduct in a 7-day, 14-day, and 30-day period, if you have a limit.

3) The requirements state that the turnaround time of 20 business days from the date of assignment.

Is that time frame for a single search or for an assignment containing multiple searches?

The turnaround time frame of 20 business days is for each easement assigned. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates 5 easements assigned every 60 days. Those 5 easements could be assigned at one time and the deliverables for all 5 would be expected within 20 days.

4) The requirements state that deliverables are to include requested copies, if needed, of instruments that created rights, interests or encumbrances... Are copies going to be needed or not? This is important as copies would need to be obtained at the time of the search and there is always a fee that is charged for copies.

A copy of the easement acquisition document with the United States as grantee is required.

A copy of the vesting document for the landowner is also required.

5) The requirements state that "Some easements require a search of multiple parcels and landowners whereas other searches are simpler with a singular parcel and landowner to be researched.”

If an easement has multiple parcels is the contractor permitted to invoice by parcel?

Yes.

6) Will a chain of title be needed for each search?

The contractor is permitted to conduct chain of title back as far as they deem necessary to confirm land ownership, as Reclamation is not imposing specific search parameters.

However, a copy of the most recent vesting deed is required to verify land ownership.

7) The requirements state that the contractor is to "provide other services, as necessary, to finalize the easement abandonment transaction."

a) Please define/describe what is required by "other services"?

While not all circumstances can be anticipated, “other services” would generally include search updates if an extended period of time occurred between the initial search and the easement abandonment transaction.

b) Where should that work be priced?

Please see the revised Price Schedule attachment that contains an additional line-item listing “Other Services”.

8) Regarding the search period, DOJ Title Standards require a 60-year search.

a) When were these easements acquired?

The majority of the easements were acquired between 1957-1962. There are instances where easements were acquired more recently (e.g. 1985), but none older than 1957.

b) Do we need to search further back than 60 years?

The contractor is permitted to conduct searches back as far as they deem necessary to confirm land ownership, as Reclamation is not imposing specific search parameters. However, a copy of the most recent vesting deed is required to verify land ownership.

c) It would make sense to search back to at least the date when the easement was acquired by the government. Do you agree?

The contractor is permitted to conduct searches back as far as they deem necessary to confirm land ownership, as Reclamation is not imposing specific search parameters. However, a copy of the most recent vesting deed is required to verify land ownership.

9) Regarding oil and gas leases - is the Contractor required to identify the current owner of any lease including assignments and sales?

No, current owners of oil and gas leases are not required to be identified.

10) To provide a single firm-fixed price, is it possible for the government to provide a couple of sample assignments via APNs from Red Willow and Hitchcock Counties for a contractor to review in order to try and come up with one price per unit per year?

Below is an example of Reclamation easements and the County Parcel Numbers that they cross. (continued on next page)

Easement ID (RPUID) County Parcel Number(s) (APN) 03282903000500 000283601

000283600

03283003003900 000321700

03283003001900 000324600 000328800

03283104001700 440022827

11) Is electronic delivery of the final product acceptable?

Yes, electronic delivery of the final product is acceptable.

12) Please confirm that if subsurface rights were severed the contractor is not responsible for determining the current subsurface rights owner.

Correct, subsurface rights ownership identification is not required.

13) Please confirm that the final deliverable is to be a standard preliminary title report and not a guarantee of title report.

Correct, the final deliverable should be a standard preliminary title report and not a guarantee of title report.

14) In the CLINs provided, the unit is marked as "30." I wanted to confirm whether this refers to 30 properties/parcels or 30 hours of service, as it is not fully clear in the document.”

The units are referring to easements/properties to be searched and not to hours of service.

15) Additionally, could you please check with the Project Manager to clarify what specific information is required in the final title reports Title reports should include at a minimum:

• Legal Description of the parcels searched

• Grantee in the last deed of record

• Encumbrances of record, including Easements indexed against the property by the

United States Minerals and subsurface rights do not need to be included.

A copy of the easement acquisition document with the United States as grantee is required.

A copy of the vesting document for the landowner is also required.

16) How many properties we will be working on in total?

There are approximately 140 easements to be searched. However, some of these easements span multiple county parcels that have been subdivided over time. We assumed that the contractor would perform searches based on either county parcels or landowner names. As a result, the total number of searches may exceed the initial estimate of 140 easements. However, initial reviews indicate that the number of county parcels is similar to the number of easements.