RFQ Document- AGR-APR-TitleWork-FY27.1.pdf

T H E C O M M O N W E A L T H O F M A SS A C H U S E T TS

EX E C U TIVE OFF I C E OF ENE R G Y AN D EN VI R O NM E NTAL A F F AI R S

Department of Agricultural Resources 100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02114 www.mass.gov/agr

Maura T. Healey Kimberley Driscoll Rebecca L. Tepper Ashley E. Randle

GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT SECRETARY COMMISSIONER

GOVERNOR

REQUESTS FOR BIDS

APR Title Work– FY ’27 #1

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (“MDAR” or the “Department”) is seeking bids for real estate title work in connection with four properties that are either under application to or currently enrolled in the Department’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction (“APR”) Program.

I. PROJECT SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S):

A. New APR Title Work: The objective of the Department is the acquisition of APRs on the “New APR” properties listed below. In advance of the recording of the APRs, MDAR needs to obtain a full real estate title exam, including the delivery of a title abstract, title narrative, title certification, and title insurance commitment for the New APR properties. Escrow and disbursement services may be required in connection with the recording of the APRs. Upon recording of the APRs, an owner’s title insurance policy and Attorney’s certification of title for the APR shall be issued to the Department. All deliverables shall be in conformity with the format and content requirements of the EOEEA title examination specifications.

B. Existing APR Title Work: The objective of the Department is the acquisition of a full real estate title exam on the “Existing APR” properties listed below, including delivery of a title abstract, title narrative, and Attorney’s title certification all in conformity with the format and content requirements of the EOEEA title examination specifications. No escrow, disbursement, or title insurance services will be needed in connection with the Existing APR title exams.

II. BID DEADLINE:

COMMBUYS submissions must be received by 5:00 PM Friday, September 4, 2026 http://www.mass.gov/agr robert.monahan Highlight

III. BID REQUIREMENTS:

A. New APR Title Work Bids must include THREE bid figures, as described below.

The awards for the New APR projects will be based upon the total bid price as well as the price bid for each part identified below:

1. New APR Bid Part One is for the following deliverables to be completed in accordance with EOEEA Specifications:

a. Title abstract.

b. Attorney’s title certification.

c. Attorney's title narrative.

d. Title insurance commitment – at least one revision will be required prior to closing, which will include:

-Title rundown and update.

-Insurance amount and updated legal description; and -All known exceptions that will appear on the final title policy.

e. Review of survey plan to ensure removal of survey exception and confirm legal description.

f. Deliver title abstract, title certification, title narrative, and title insurance commitment by email to MDAR counsel within 30 days of award.

2. New APR Bid Part Two is for the following items and actual costs associated with the APR recording. Unanticipated costs that are incurred in connection with the APR recording and are not part of the bid may be included in the final invoice with MDAR’s prior written approval. Note:

Part 2 services will only be needed if the APR project closes.

a. Review of all documents to be recorded including but not limited to all title clearing documents, survey, and APR.

b. Obtaining all necessary municipal lien certificates to be recorded with the APR.

c. Rundown the title and record the MLC(s), APR and related documents.

d. Final attorney’s title certification, title insurance policy, and invoice to MDAR no more than 30 days from recording of the APR.

3. New APR Bid Part Three is for the disbursement and settlement services that may be required in situations where mortgages and/or other liens are to be paid out of the APR proceeds. Part Three bids should include cost of services to receive and deposit funds into your IOLTA account, communicating with Seller’s attorney regarding payoffs and related matters, disbursing payoffs and proceeds checks, preparing a closing statement and recording any discharges post-closing. Please provide a bid for the cost of these services. Note that the Part Three services may not be needed.

B. EXISTING APR TITLE WORK Bids must include one figure for a full title exam including delivery of a title abstract, title narrative, and title certification by email to MDAR counsel within 30 days of award. All deliverables are to confirm to the format and content requirements of the EOEEA title examination specifications. No escrow, disbursement, or title insurance services will be needed in connection with the Existing APR title exams. The awards for the Existing APR title exams will be based upon the bid price.

You may bid on as many APR projects as you want, but you must submit a separate bid for each individual APR project. Do not submit one bid for multiple APR projects.

Bids must be submitted through COMMBUYS by the Bid Deadline referenced above. We are unable to accept bids via email. Emailed bids will not be accepted. Late bids will not be accepted.

For questions about submitting a bid on COMMBUYS, please email Robert Monahan at robert.monahan@mass.gov.

For questions or comments regarding the requested title work please contact Cory Fox at Cory.Fox@mass.gov or 978-941-0269.

IV. APR TITLE PROJECT INFORMATION (4 Total):

1. New APR Title Exam Request: Ames Realty Trust APR, 215 Washington Street, 250 Main Street, and 135 Elm Street, Easton, MA

-Deeds: Bristol County North Registry of Deeds Book 1550, Page 577 Book 21035, Page 26 Book 23697, Page 233

-Parcel ID: Map 12U, Lot 18B Map 12U, Lot 18 Map 17U, Lot

-Owners: Ames Realty Trust u/d/t dated 10/28/1969 250 Main LLC Langwater Properties, LLC

-Notes: MDAR must obtain a full title exam in connection with the acquisition one APR on a portion of all three parcels referenced above. Upon recording of the APR one title insurance policy to MDAR for the APR shall be issued for an estimated value of approximately five (5) million dollars, which is subject to change.

mailto:robert.monahan@mass.gov mailto:Cory.Fox@mass.gov

2. NEW APR Title Exam Request: Sapowsky APR, East State Street, Granby, MA

-Deeds: Hampshire Country Registry of Deeds Book 5931, Page 188

-Parcel ID: Map 8, Lot C-2 (approx. 64 acres) -Owners: Stephen T. Sapowsky and Tammy G. Sapowsky

-Notes: MDAR must obtain a full title exam in connection with the acquisition of one APR on the above referenced property. Upon recording of the APR one title insurance policy to MDAR for the APR shall be issued.

3. Existing APR Title Exam Request: Davidian Brothers APR, Rocky Pond Road, Boylston, MA

-Deed: Worcester South Registry of Deeds Book 20765, Page 122 -APR: Worcester South Registry of Deeds Book 9311, Page 251 -Parcel ID: Boylston Map 34 Lot 1 (approx. 9.4 acres) -Owner: Davidian Realty LLC

-Notes: MDAR is trying to confirm through a full title exam of the property whether Boylston Map 34, Lot 1 is restricted by the above referenced Davidian APR. No title insurance is needed.

4. Existing APR Title Exam Request: Stanwood Morss APR, Lilly Pond Road, Oakridge Road, 80 & 77 Lake Shore Road, Boxford, MA

-Deed: Essex South Registry of Deeds Book 25693, Page 280 -APR: Essex South Registry of Deeds Book 8715, Page 163 -Parcel ID: Map 5 Lot 1-24

Map 5 Lot 2-2 Map 5 Lot 2-3 Map 2 Lot 2-7 Map 5 Lot 2-5 (total of approx. 100 acres)

-Owner: Morss Farm LLC

Notes: MDAR is trying to confirm through a full title exam all land restricted by the above referenced Morss APR. No title insurance is needed.