OEV26006453 MPA 439 Scope of Work.pdf

2019-1 Page 1 of 2 Revised 04/02/2020

Division of Purchases One Capitol Hill │ Providence, RI 02908 │ (401) 574-8100

Jay Hauser, State Purchasing Agent

OEV26006453

SOLICITATION SPECIFICATIONS

MPA 439 ESCROW AND TITLE SERVICES

SECTION A. BACKGROUND

Master Price Agreement (MPA) 439 provides agencies statewide with qualified title firms and/or licensed attorneys to provide various services including the following: representing State agencies at closings, performing real estate title searches, preparing reports of title, preparing real estate escrow agreements, and issuing title insurance policies. “Title firms” shall include the following: title insurance companies, title agents, attorneys-at-law, and law firms meeting the minimum qualifications established by this solicitation. Services are to be provided on an “as and when required” basis, upon request of State agencies, with emphasis being placed on the Vendor’s ability to provide timely responses to the agency’s title and escrow service requests.

There is no guarantee of any level of purchasing activity on behalf of the State to any vendor or vendors listed on the MPA. Vendors are required to provide a quote for each discrete service or project requested by the user agencies.

Notwithstanding the above, the Division of Purchases reserves the right to award on the basis of cost alone, to accept or reject any or all proposals, and to award in the State’s best interest.

MPA 439 vendors may be utilized by any State agency. In addition, MPA 439 vendors may be utilized by quasi-public agencies, Rhode Island municipalities, school districts, waste or water facilities. All ordering and billing shall be between the vendor and the User Agency. Once need has been determined, utilization by the User Agency will be based on a number of factors, including but not limited to price, expertise, and availability.

SECTION B: SCOPE OF WORK AND REQUIREMENTS

Title insurance companies utilized by vendors must have the capability to directly originate and issue title insurance policies in the State of Rhode Island.

All title insurance commitments and policies are subject to the review and approval of the agency requesting the service.

Title insurance commitments and policies may be subject to the review and approval of federal agencies, including but not limited to, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA, and other funding sources.

All title insurance policies must delete the standard title insurance exceptions for tenants in possession, survey, adverse, possession, and mechanics liens, unless the agency agrees to the inclusion of such as an exception in a particular policy.

Title insurance commitments must be submitted within forty-five (45) days, unless otherwise agreed to by the agency, in advance.

Title insurance policies must be issued within thirty (30) days of the closing.

Attorneys must be duly authorized to practice law in the State of Rhode Island.

Attorneys / law firms must carry professional liability/malpractice insurance during the entire term of the contract with individual claims coverage of no less than $2,000,000.00 per occurrence, $2,000,000.00 annual aggregate.

2019-1 Page 2 of 2 Revised 04/02/2020

Division of Purchases One Capitol Hill │ Providence, RI 02908 │ (401) 574-8100

Jay Hauser, State Purchasing Agent

The State agrees to pay for all documented direct costs related to the closing, including recording fees, payment of taxes, documentary stamps, or any other direct cost approved and authorized by the agency.

All direct cost reimbursements will be made at cost to the title company

SECTION C: EVALUATION AND SELECTION - SOLICITATION SPECIFIC

Proposals shall be reviewed by the Division of Purchases on a “Pass/Fail” basis. All criteria must receive a “Pass” determination for a vendor’s potential inclusion on the resulting Open Enrollment (OE) MPA’s qualified vendor list. Any criteria with a “Fail” determination will not be reviewed further and the vendor will be dropped from consideration.

Proposals shall be reviewed and scored based upon the following criteria:

Criteria

Pass/Fail

Rhode Island Bar Association License(s) Pass/Fail

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Title Agent License(s) Pass/Fail

Resumes of key staff who will administer the services covered by this solicitation

Pass/Fail

Office (primary or ancillary) within 30 miles of the State of Rhode Island

Pass/Fail

Overall Pass/Fail Pass/Fail

NOTE: See the “Requirements” tab of this solicitation for additional information on the evaluation and selection process in the “OE Standard Specifications-Vendor Qualification Assessment” section.

SECTION D: ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL DETAILS

Provide a completed bid sheet. Vendors may submit a price for each of the three (3) base years and two

(2) option years, or the applicable pro rata portion thereof if the proposal is submitted during a subsequent quarter. If one price per service is offered, that price will remain firm for the entire contract term. Prices submitted are the maximum allowable rates under this MPA. There is nothing to prevent vendors from offering, or agencies requesting, lower rates. If contracts are extended for option year(s), at the sole discretion of the State, pricing from the 5/1/2026 – 4/30/27 term will be utilized.

As applicable, provide information on any additional staff or services which may be available through subcontractors, subsidiaries, or corporate partners.