Summary

This is Amendment No. 1 to DEP Contract No. PL211, a contract between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Mathews Law Firm, P.A. for title products and closing services. The amendment was executed on March 20, 2013, and modifies the original contract entered into on April 29, 2010. The contract is managed by FDEP Contract Managers Donna Ayres and Judy Warrick.

The amendment revises contract rates to reflect a renegotiation mandated by Chapter 2010-151, Laws of Florida, which required state agencies to review existing contracts with private providers to reduce payment obligations. The contract term has been extended from April 28, 2013, to April 28, 2015. The contractor is required to enroll and participate in the federal E-Verify Program for Employment Verification within 30 days and ensure all subcontractors enroll within 90 days. The amended rate schedule includes fixed fees for title searches and commitments ($412.25 per parcel), ownership and encumbrance reports ($315.25 per parcel), title insurance policies at promulgated rates less five percent, and various hourly rates for specialized services including senior closer services ($43.65 per hour on-site, $48.50 per hour off-site), general title research ($48.50 per hour), expert witness services ($97.00 per hour), and closing services ($363.75 per closing). The contract permits annual rate increases up to five percent with 60 days' written notice and documented justification. A surcharge for work outside the contracted region does not apply, as the contractor has been selected for multiple regions.