Draft_SOW_1.pdf

DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT

[2025]

INSERT TITLE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (DOI)

VERSION 1.0

General Information

Background

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is the cabinet-level federal agency responsible for the stewardship and sustainable management of the nation’s public lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage. Through its bureaus—including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)—DOI manages over 500 million acres of public lands and associated resources, supporting conservation, recreation, energy and mineral development, water projects, and tribal programs.

To fulfill its mission, DOI relies on valuation services to provide independent, credible, and legally defensible valuations of federal lands, property rights, and natural resources. In general DOI valuation service needs include appraisals, feasibility studies, market studies, alternative valuation method work products, and data sourcing. The vast majority of valuation services are for appraisals, which are essential for: fee and less than fee land acquisitions, procurement of leased space, out leasing of Government property, issuance of right-of-way permits or other partial interests, disposals, and land exchanges. Valuation services are for resources such as but not limited to; undeveloped, recreational and agricultural land, residential, commercial, industrial, special use properties, timber, minerals, and water rights; and calculation of damages or restitution in cases of trespass or unauthorized use.

Through these services, DOI ensures fair compensation, responsible fiscal stewardship, and informed decision-making in the management of public lands and resources. By integrating technical appraisal expertise with federal policy and program objectives, DOI can effectively balance resource development, environmental protection, and public benefit.

Purpose & Objective

The purpose of this effort is to acquire experts in the industry to provide independent, professional valuation services in accordance with federal law, regulations, policy and applicable appraisal standards, including Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA, aka Yellow Book).

The objective of this effort is to provide DOI with a centralized and efficient approach for accurate, timely, and actionable valuation information to support informed decision making.

Scope

This scope of this requirement includes the coordination of all requirements associated with federal appraisal and appraisal related service delivery. Valuation services include but are not limited to appraisals; feasibility studies; market studies; data sourcing; and consultation services (e.g., comparable sales/rental data, reviews of landowner’s appraisal, landowner conferences, and field review assistance), and the procurement of other real estate appraisal related services etc.

DOI Valuation service is generally defined within three geographic areas of the country, as described below:

East Region: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NJ, NY, PA, DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV Central Region: AL, KY, MI, TN, AR, LA, OK, TX, IL, IN, MI, OH, WI, IA, KS, MN, MS, NE, SD, ND

West Region: AK, AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY, CA, HI, OR, WA

From 2023 – 2025 the number of appraisal services by region are reflected in the table below:

Zone # Appraisals East 167 Central 4162 West 5783

This data in the table above is based on closed cases in Appraisal and Valuation Information System (AVIS), and associated to region by the state the work was completed in. Cases closed without a designated state were allocated to regions proportionally. This data is to provide the Contractor with a general idea of service volume within the respective regions.

Ordering Each order, when issued by the Government, will provide detailed information to include the type of appraisal or service needed, the purpose of the assignment, and assignment specific statement of work and a collective number of conditions.

Authorized Use of the Valuation Services BPA

This BPA may only be utilized by the DOI for Valuation services identified in this Statement of Work.

Valuation services may be acquired by any warranted Contracting Officer throughout the DOI’s Bureaus and Offices.

The use of Integrated Charge Cards is permissible at the discretion of each Bureau’s Senior Procurement Officer.

DOI Contracting Officers who sign each Order issued against this BPA will be responsible for resolving issues related to their respective orders with the Contractor.

Reporting

It is important that each Bureau and Office account for orders issued under the BPA. This includes being able to report on the following data with one week of the request.

Number of orders issued to include contract number, period of performance, funding,…..

How to Order

Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist request quotes from the Contractor via email.

Place BPA number 140D0426AXXXX in award document and a locally assigned BPA order number. BPA order number assignment is determined by the Ordering Office internal procedures.

Ordering against this BPA shall be issued with a written Task Order signed by the DOI Bureau/Office Contracting Officer.

BPA Orders will be considered issued when the CO transmits the BPA Order to the Contractor

Authorized Users: DOI warranted Contracting Officers or DOI Government Purchase Cardholders are authorized to place orders against this BPA.

Purchase Card Transactions must not exceed the Micro-purchase Threshold as defined in FAR 2.101.

All transactions that exceed the micro-purchase threshold must be awarded by a warranted Contracting Officer.

Contractor Pools: Each Geographic Region (East Region, Central Region, and West Region) will have at least two BPA holders assigned exclusively to that geographic area. Requests for quotes will only go to the BPA holders in the Geographic Region of the proposed project and BPA holders cannot respond to requests outside of their awarded region.

Competitive Procedures:

Quotes will be requested in writing by a warranted Contracting Officer or authorized Purchase Cardholder.

At a minimum, the Government will provide the scope of work, location of work, and the time period work must be performed.

The contractor will respond with a firm-fixed price quotation for the required services.

Prices must be in accordance with the established BPA.

If a contractor decides not to propose on an Order in response to a RFQ they will reply to the request stating that information and why.

Orders at or below the micro-purchase threshold:

An authorized DOI Government Purchase Cardholder will submit a request for quote via email to a BPA holder that can meet the agency’s needs. Cardholders will attempt to distribute orders amongst contractors.

Once the services and price are accepted, the Cardholder will order the services. Payment will be made via purchase card. The Government is not obligated to place nor is the contractor obligated to accept any orders. However, once a contractor accepts an order it must perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BPA.

To allow for the BPA ceiling to be monitored all micro-purchase actions must be reported to the CO. If a Cardholder has multiple transactions in a month, they can be rolled up and reported together. Cardholders must submit the transactions NLT the 5th of each month for calls placed in the previous month.

Orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold:

All BPA holders will have a fair opportunity to be considered for each order exceeding the micro-purchase threshold. The CO is not required to contact each BPA holder in determining the best value or before placing an order, but can if necessary. To ensure each contractor receives a fair opportunity the CO will review the BPA pricing and order history for the required service for each BPA holder and make a best value determination based on the type of appraisal, location of work/geographic region, pricing and past performance. The CO will attempt to distribute orders amongst contractors.

Orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold:

All orders will be given a fair opportunity unless the competition requirement is waived based on an approved justification in accordance with FAR 8.405-6.

The RFQ will be sent to all eligible BPA holders via email to include a description of the services to be performed and the basis upon which the selection will be made.

The CO will fairly consider all responses and make an award in accordance with the selection procedures.

The award decision will be documented in the file.

General Requirements The Contractor will use a multitude of appraisal service companies to meet service delivery requirements. The Government will provide the Contractor with a listing of appraisal companies that may be eligible to complete the assignment. This list identifies all appraisal companies, including subcontractor companies, who have previously worked for the Government, as well as their certifications. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure the applicable subcontractors are listed and reflect the applicable certifications. No other subcontractors are authorized to perform the work unless authorized by the Government Appraiser. Appraisal services companies are expected to adhere to the terms of the agreement. Contract extensions to accommodate appraisal companies will not be authorized.

General requirements for valuation services are as follows:

VALUATION ASSIGNMENTS

Only the assigned Government Review Appraiser can modify appraisal instructions (in writing).

This appraisal assignment will be an engagement between the Contractor and the client.

The Contractor and its subcontractor must address any questions regarding appraisal instructions and/or technical requirements for the appraisal to the Government Review Appraiser.

CERTIFICATION

The Contractor must have the required licensure in accordance with Public Law 118- 230, as well as the necessary expertise associated with the valuation service.

APPRAISAL REPORTS

Unsigned and draft appraisal reports will not be accepted as a final report.

The order letter, and other assignment instructions must be included in the addenda to the appraisal report. References to these documents should be provided in the body of the report. Confidential information should be reported in a manner consistent with USPAP and UASFLA.

Appraisal reports should conform to the sequence and content governed by the applicable regulations to include the Uniform USPAP, UASFLA, if applicable, and departmental and bureau-specific governance.

All appraisal reports shall include a discussion of market activity, historic market trends and a market analysis of the subject property type.

UASFLA appraisal reports must include color photographs of all comparable sales from a terrestrial point of view, unless granted a waiver by the Government in writing to use aerial photographs or satellite imagery, in which case, the appraisal report should include source citation of the source and date of the aerial photographs.

The effective date of the appraisal report must be no later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the submission of the signed, completed appraisal report, unless the Government approves in advance other conditions in writing.

The type and purpose of the appraisal report, hypothetical conditions, extraordinary assumptions, and performance period will be discussed and agreed upon between the Federal Government and the Contractor at the time of the appraisal assignment.

SITE INSPECTION

The Contract appraiser performing the work must inspect the subject property and all comparable market data used in the appraisal, unless the Government has approved other conditions in writing.

The inspection of the subject property must be coordinated with the Government in advance to allow for travel, if required.

Licensed associate appraisers may accompany the contractor appraiser performing the work on inspections, but they are not authorized to complete the inspections without the contractor signatory appraiser present.

The property owner(s), or owner’s representative, must be given the opportunity to accompany the contractor appraiser on the property inspection, and noted in the appraisal.

HIGHEST BEST USE

Upon completion of the Highest and Best Use analysis, the Contractor/subcontractor must discuss the conclusions with the Government prior to delivery of contract deliverables.

PRE-WORK MEETING & STATUS UPDATES

The Contractor is required to attend a pre-work meeting within 7 days of contract award (or otherwise identify that the meeting requirements will be outlined in each order).

The pre-work meeting occurs prior to the inspection of the property. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the requirements and the expectations of the Government and may include private property owner(s) and other stakeholders, if applicable. The Government Review Appraiser will coordinate the date and time with the Contractor.

The Contractor is responsible for ensuring subcontractors are present at the pre-work meetings.

The Contractor must provide the Government with a live dashboard that readily communicates the status of all appraisal assignments. The dashboard may include data points like the following:

COMMUNICATION & DISCLOSURES

Any communication between the client and the Contractor that pertains to the appraisal review (i.e., review questions, comments, concerns, etc.) is confidential.

If including any proprietary information in the appraisal, the Contractor must gain concurrence from the Government Review Appraiser and deliver the proprietary information in a separate attachment.

When the Contractor selected to perform the work has performed any services regarding the subject property within the prior three years, the selected Contractor must disclose this to the Government prior to engagement.

The client will be identified in each order. The client for each order is the sole client. The Contractor and its sub-contractors may not communicate assignment results to any party except the client, unless authorized to do so in writing by the client. The client will provide a list of intended users.

If the Contractor or its subcontractors discovers material facts which differ from those provided by the client or encounters circumstances which prevent the contractor/subcontractor from developing an unbiased appraisal, the Contractor must contact the Government for instructions.

Any communication with the bureau realty contact or property owner shall be reported to the assigned Government Review Appraiser, as required.

If the Contract appraiser performing the work encounters any intractable facts, laws, or appraisal methodology requiring resolution, they must contact the Government Review Appraiser immediately for direction.

Valuation Service Definitions

A range of valuation services exists within the Government. The valuation and review activities for the assets, rights, or considered interests drive the valuation service and assignment type.

With each assignment type there are specialized requirements the Contractor must adhere to.

The charts below provide general terms and their respective descriptions related to valuation services, to include methods of acquisition, property interests / estates acquired, property types consultation services, and support services.

Methods of Acquisition

Type Description Agreement A legally binding pact made between two or more people or entities

Condemnation (last resort) Properties may be acquired through eminent domain

Disposals Properties may be sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with law

Donations Private individuals, public municipalities and non-profit organizations may choose to donate property and upon request may request an appraisal

Exchanges Properties may be exchanged upon mutual agreement by both parties.

Purchases Properties may be acquired by purchase

Reservations of Use and Occupancy

Landowners may reserve rights that are memorialized in a use and occupancy agreement

Property Interests/Estates Acquired

Type Description

Business Value Government owned property can be made available to operate necessary and appropriate visitor services

Easement Property that is less than the entire fee simple estate such as conservation easements

Fee Property that represents absolute ownership, unencumbered by any other interest or estate, subject only to governmental limitations.

Improvement Permanent additions to real property that enhance its value and are designed to make the property more useful or valuable, as distinguished from ordinary repairs

Leases Property may be leased for a predetermined leasing period for lands and or improvements

Mineral rights Property ownership of subsurface resources

Personal Property Tangible assets not fixed to the land

Water rights Property that allows access to and use of bodies of water;

properties that may be subject to specific jurisdictional regulations; such as navigational servitude; or properties that include specific surface or irrigation water rights

Property Types

Type Description Agricultural Land used for farming or relating farming purposes

Commercial Property used for commercial purposes

Industrial Property used for industrial purposes

Mineral / Mining Land containing mineral resources or mining assets, to include mining rights, mining properties, or mineral resources

Residential Property used for residential purposes

Right of Way (ROW) Use of a portion of land for public or private infrastructure such as roads, pipelines, powerlines, or access routes— without purchasing the full ownership of the property

Special Use Property that has limited marketability and utility such as religious buildings

Timber Land containing merchantable timber of suitable for the growth of merchantable timber, and may include timber cruise

Trespass Monetary damage caused by unauthorized use, occupation, or removal of resources from federal land or property

Water Rights Access and use of water from a specific source separate from or in connection with land

Water Storage Containment and management of water for future use, to include the right, facility, and capacity to store water

Consultation Services

Consultation services involve an engagement to provide a real estate valuation service analysis, opinion, conclusion, or other service that does not fall within the definition of appraisal such as:

Service Description

Comparable sales/rental study Establishing a reasonable price for an asset based on recent prices for similar assets

Data Sourcing Gathering of information about properties, markets, transactions, and related factors essential for planning and feasibility considerations

Field Review Assistance Onsite inspection with DOI staff to verify accuracy of an appraisal report and associated analysis

Landowner conference Meeting to establish and understand landowner’s concerns/questions regarding assignment conditions, etc.

Review of Landowner’s appraisal Independent evaluation of an appraisal report to ensure its accuracy, compliance, and integrity, serving as a quality control measure in real estate.

Sales and Rental data Quantitative information collected for applicable sales and rental market information

Support Services

To ensure creditable valuation results, support services may be necessary for some assignments, including but not limited to: Environmental Site Assessments; Surveys; Title Reports, Architectural Reports, Condition Assessments, Timber Cruises, and Mineral Reports. Any required support services must comply with governing federal laws, regulations and policies.

Service Description

Environmental Site Assessments In accordance with 602 Departmental Manual (DM) 2.

Real Property Condition Assessments The process of periodic physical inspection, assessment, measurement and interpretation of the resultant data to indicate the condition of a specific asset so as to determine the need for some preventative or remedial action. It is a crucial part of asset management to determine its current condition, remaining useful life and estimated cost to correct any deficiencies.

Resource Reports (Mineral, Timber, etc.)

A report that provides information about resources such as mineral deposits, timber, water and other resources of potential value.

Title In accordance with Regulations of the Attorney General Governing the Review and Approval of Title for Federal Land Acquisitions (2016), as may be amended.

Specialized Requirements Specialized requirements related to appraisal reports; appraiser licenses, credentials and qualifications; as well as specialized requirements for environmental site assessment and title support services are outlined below.

Appraisal Reports

The Government will identify the associated report requirements with each call order.

Acceptable appraisal report formats are outlined below.

Appraisal Report Format- Must be prepared in compliance with the Uniform Act 49CFR, Part 24 and the USPAP and the UASFLA, aka Yellow Book, when applicable.

Narrative (Comprehensive) Reports: These are detailed, comprehensive documents that function like a thesis or a complete overview of the property and the appraisal process. They fully disclose all data and analyses and are appropriate when a high level of information is required.

Form (Summary) Reports: These are shorter, more concise reports that summarize findings, similar to a property report card. They are often used for residential appraisals and when a quicker turnaround is needed.

Restricted Appraisal Report: A specific format recognized by USPAP, this is the most concise option and is intended for the use of only one intended user, usually the client.

It contains minimal detail and is not suitable for situations where other parties need to understand the report.

Feasibility Reports – Commonly used in situations where there is a need for a quick estimate of value, such as legislative cost estimates for portfolio analysis. They are less formal than appraisal reports and may not require adherence to specific appraisal standards or regulations.

Market Studies - Analyze market trends, customer behavior, and the effectiveness of marketing strategies to inform business decisions.

Analytical Reports: Provide in depth analysis of a specific issue or problem, often including recommendations based on the findings.

Evaluation Reports: Assess the effectiveness of a program, project, or product, often used to inform future decisions.

Survey Reports: Present findings from surveys, including data analysis and interpretations of the results.

Research Reports: Document the findings of a research project, including methodology, data analysis, and conclusions.

Resource Reports: There is no specific report format for these types of reports and the contractor should defer to industry standards for appropriate report format, unless the contractor is provided specific instruction in the SOW.

Condition Assessment Reports- The SOW will identify scope and report format for applicable condition assessment report as it depended on the level of detail need for the assignment.

Environmental Report - The Phase I ESA report shall include all sections described under AAI and ASTM E1527-21, specifically Appendix X5, and include the requirements of Section 12 of ASTM E1527-21.

Appraiser Requirements

The following appraiser requirements apply to all valuation assignments, as required:

Licensing & Credentials

State Certification - The contractor performing the work must hold a current Certified General Appraiser license or have the ability to obtain a temporary practice permit to conduct the appraisal in the designated state. A copy of the Offeror’s valid State Certified General Appraiser license must be included in the proposal. If the appraiser is licensed in another state and applying for a license in the subject jurisdiction, he/she must provide a copy of his/her current license from that state.

Professional Designations/Licensed Appraisal Instructors - A designation from a recognized professional appraisal organization, or an offeror that is a licensed appraisal instructor will be considered but is not required. If the offeror is a member of a professional organization or licensed appraisal instructor, this should be identified in their Appraiser Statement of Qualifications with the name of the organization, and the level, type, or category of such membership/licensure.

Licensed Associate Appraiser Requirements - Licensed associate appraisers may perform work on appraisals provided that proposals for each award identify and outline the roles and responsibilities of each Licensed Associate Appraiser anticipated to participated in the assignment development and/or report writing. Licensed Associate Appraiser qualifications must be included with the proposal along with a copy of their state appraiser license. No other associates may work on the award without prior written authorization from the client. If Licensed Associate Appraisers contribute to the development and/or report writing of the appraisal, their assistance must be detailed in the scope of work and certification of the appraisal report. If the contractor does not list anyone else as providing assistance in the proposal, it is expected that the contractor is doing 100 percent of the research, verifications, property inspections, valuation analyses and appraisal writing.

Qualifications

Technical competency - The contracted appraiser performing the work must possess at least five years of experience completing appraisal assignments similar in assignment type, property type, intended use and applicable standards. The Contractor may be asked to supply evidence of technical competency prior to the client engagement of the subcontractor.

Geographic competency - The contracted appraiser performing the work must possess the geographic competency to complete the assignment described in each solicitation. If the contracted appraiser does not possess adequate geographic competency, this must be disclosed in the proposal along with a description of how the contracted appraiser performing the work will gain geographic competency.

Support Services Requirements

Environmental Specialist Requirements

The Phase I ESA shall be conducted by an Environmental Professional (EP). An EP is someone who meets the qualifications as defined in 40 CFR § 312.10(b) and as further described in Appendix X2 of ASTM E1527-21. The Phase I ESA report shall contain language specifying that an EP has conducted the ESA (ASTM E1527-21 sec. 12.14) and shall include the statements set forth in 40 CFR § 312.21(d).

Per ASTM 1527-21: The environmental site assessment must be conducted by the environmental professional or conducted under the supervision or responsible charge of the environmental professional. Sample Statements of Work Attached.

X2. DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE THERETO,

PURSUANT TO 40 C.F.R. § 312.10

X2.1.1 Environmental Professional means:

X2.1.1.1 A person who possesses sufficient specific education, training, and experience necessary to exercise professional judgment to develop opinions and conclusions regarding conditions indicative of releases or threatened releases (see § 312.1(c)) on, at, in, or to a property, sufficient to meet the objectives and performance factors in §§ 312.20(e) and (f).

X2.1.1.2 Such a person must: (i) hold a current Professional Engineer’s or Professional Geologist’s license or registration from a state, tribe, or U.S. territory (or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) and have the equivalent of three (3) years of full-time relevant experience; or (ii) be licensed or certified by the federal government, a state, tribe, or U.S. territory (or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) to perform environmental inquiries as defined in § 312.21 and have the equivalent of three (3) years of full-time relevant experience; or (iii) have a Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a discipline of engineering or science and the equivalent of five (5) years of full-time relevant experience; or (iv) have the equivalent of ten (10) years of full-time relevant experience.

X2.1.1.3 An environmental professional should remain current in his or her field through participation in continuing education or other activities.

X2.1.1.4 The definition of environmental professional provided above does not preempt state professional licensing or registration requirements such as those for a professional geologist, engineer, or site remediation professional. Before commencing work, a person should determine the applicability of state professional licensing or registration laws to the activities to be undertaken as part of the inquiry identified in § 312.21(b).

X2.1.1.5 A person who does not qualify as an environmental professional under the foregoing definition may assist in the conduct of all appropriate inquiries in accordance with this part if such person is under the supervision or responsible charge of a person meeting the definition of an environmental professional provided above when conducting such activities.

X2.2 Relevant Experience

X2.2.1 Relevant experience, as used in the definition of environmental professional in this section, means: participation in the performance of all appropriate inquiries investigations, environmental site assessments, or other site investigations that may include environmental analyses, investigations, and remediation which involve the understanding of surface and subsurface environmental conditions and the processes used to evaluate these conditions and for which professional judgment was used to develop opinions regarding conditions indicative of releases or threatened releases (see § 312.1(c)) to the subject property.

Title Examiners

Per Regulations of the Attorney General Governing the Review and Approval of Title for Federal Land Acquisitions (2016), Section 3.2, the following requirements apply when selecting a Title Examiner:

The record title examination must be obtained from a title examiner or title insurance company deemed competent to provide it by the reviewing attorney. Nationwide, title insurance companies are the most readily available sources for title examination. Title insurers authorized by state law to conduct business in the jurisdiction where the subject land is located and who hold membership in the American Land Title Association (ALTA) or Texas Land Title Association (TLTA) may be considered competent to examine title in the absence of adverse information.

At a minimum, a provider of title evidence must be licensed if licensing is required by applicable laws in the state where the real property is located. Title examiners must have no financial interest in the land to be acquired, nor be related to or affiliated with a seller or donor.