Questions and Responses REQ 1004093 Attachment 4.pdf

ATTACHMENT FOUR (4) QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

If you could please provide a response to the following questions it would be appreciated:

1. The Statement of Work states that the search period is to begin on 1/1/1940 yet the Soil Conservation Act was established in 1935 and the Flood Control Act was established in 1936. Please confirm that the start date of these searches is 1/1/1940 despite the earlier start dates for the two aforementioned Congressional Acts.

Per the SOW the search period begins on 1/1/1940, At this time that is as far back as we need to go

2. The Statement of Work states that all counties should be searched in Wyoming meaning this is a statewide search. Please confirm that this is accurate as previously only Sheridan and Sublette Counties were to be searched in Wyoming.

Correct – all counties

3. The Statement of Work states that all counties should be searched in South Carolina meaning this is a statewide search. Please confirm that this is accurate as previously only Horry County was to be searched in South Carolina.

Correct – all counties. I’m not sure what is being referred to as “previously” – this is a new contract – not an amendment of a prior contract.

4. Please define what NRCS considers to be a “property interest”. Is it deeds or documents that conveyed land in fee or an easement to the USA? Does it include property tax records, maps surveys, etc.?

A property interest is a conveyance of an interest in property to the USA – that does not include property tax records, maps or surveys.

5. Under the Description of Services in paragraph A, the solicitation provides a list of specific terms to be searched in the Grantee index. Further, it then states that “… the contractor will be provided with a list of approximately 20 additional entity names to search under the Grantee index … “

a. Please confirm that the searches will be limited to the specific terms provided by the government and the approximately 20 additional entity names provided by the government.

Correct

b. Please confirm that the contractor will not be expected to create a list of additional possible search terms over and beyond that provided by the government.

Correct

6. Under the Description of Services there is a paragraph B entitled “Exclude irrelevant property records”. What does NRCS consider to be “irrelevant property records”?

NRCS will exclude irrelevant property records from the list that is generated by the contractor and provide the final list to the contractor

7. Can the Contractor have the option of bidding on only certain states or is the Government set on the requirement that the Contractor must bid on all four states in order to be eligible for award?

I don’t believe this is possible but this is a question that the CO should be able to answer.

8. As long as a contractor provides a bid for all four states (Wyoming, South Carolina, Rhode Island, and Mississippi – 3 counties) is it possible for the completed work for each state to be submitted separately and invoiced separately when that particular state is done?

I do not know the answer to this – that would be a question for the CO.

9. It is very possible that not all searches can be completed online and that stand up searches at courthouses are required.

a. What is the expectation of the government if a county courthouse closes or is closed during the period of performance due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic?

There is no specification as to whether the searches must be performed in person vs.

online. Whatever method will produce a complete and accurate search is acceptable. To the extent that COVID-19 results in delays – we can adjust the period of performance accordingly.