Amendment 1

Solicitation No. AG-4101-S-11-0004, issued December 15, 2010 Amendment 1, issued January 14, 2011

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 3381 Skyway Drive Auburn, AL 36830 Government Contact:

Crystal Blackburn, Contract Specialist 334.887.4543 crystal.blackburn@al.usda.gov

The response date for this solicitation will not be changed due to this amendment.

Description of Changes

NRCS has included additional line items to the solicitation. Offerors must submit a proposal for the following line items using the format provided:

BASE YEAR RATES

Item No.

Description Unit Proposed Price

1 Preliminary Title Search – Base Year

Per Easement

2 Title Insurance Commitment – Including up to $100,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

3 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $100,001-$250,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

4 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $250,001-$500,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

5 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $500,001-$725,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

6 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $725,001-$1,000,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

7 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,000,001-$1,250,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

8 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,2500,001-$1,500,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

9 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,500,001-$1,750,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

10 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,7500,001-$2,000,000 of liability Base Year

11 Closing Services – Base Year mailto:crystal.blackburn@al.usda.gov�

OPTION YEAR RATES

Item No.

Description Unit Proposed Price

12 Preliminary Title Search – Base Year

13 Title Insurance Commitment – Including up to $100,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

14 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $100,001-$250,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

15 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $250,001-$500,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

16 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $500,001-$725,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

17 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $725,001-$1,000,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

18 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,000,001-$1,250,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

19 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,2500,001-$1,500,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

20 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,500,001-$1,750,000 of liability Base Year

Per Easement

21 Title Insurance Commitment – Including $1,7500,001-$2,000,000 of liability Base Year

22 Closing Services – Base Year

Responses to Questions Received

1. What is the average number of closing and titles the USDA has done in last two years for the above or similar solicitations? The agency’s past experience may not be indicative of future experience, and many uncontrollable factors will impact the volume of work available. However, the estimated volume of work for this contract is 10 easements per year.

2. What is the average number of failed closings the USDA has had in the last 2 years?

NRCS interprets this question to request the number of title commitments that have not progressed to closing. The answer is none.

3. If a property does not close, will the contractor be paid for his/her services and title services? If so, how will the fee be determined? The contractor may invoice NRCS at the completion of each step of the process (preliminary title search, title commitment, closing) and will be paid according to the contracted rates.

4. Will the contractor need to submit SF-270? No. The contractor will be required to submit an invoice.

5. Will the contractor be allowed to send the closing package to the landowner (s) and get them to have their signatures notarized on all documents or will the contractor be exclusively responsible for performing all closings in person? The contractor may send the package to landowners for the attachment of notarized signatures.

6. Is the contractor required to go to the landowner’s home or can the landowner come to the agent’s office? If the landowner can come to the agent, what is the maximum distant the landowner is allowed to travel? See number 5 above.

7. Title Insurance rates are based on the amount of policy coverage. Is there an average amount per easement the USDA pays or has paid in the past that can be used to come up with an average title Insurance premium for this solicitation? No. NRCS developed the additional line items for this contract established via this amendment to address this issue.

8. Can the contractor be paid at closing at the time of disbursement according to the HUD- 1 or will a separate invoice for payment of contract services be required as mentioned in the solicitation? The contractor will be required to submit an invoice.