Sources_Sought_Notice_1.pdf

This is a Sources Sought Announcement for Title Searches For Culbertson Canal And Lateral System Easement Abandonments With Hitchcock And Red Willow Counties at the Nebraska-Kansas Area Office (NKAO), Bureau of Reclamation.

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO

CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED BASED ON THIS NOTICE.

I. Overview

The Hitchcock and Red Willow Irrigation District (H&RW ID) is seeking information from qualified contractors to provide title search services related to the abandonment of easements associated with the Culbertson Canal and Lateral System. This notice is issued for market research purposes only.

II. Background

The H&RW ID has been discontinued and did not renew its repayment contract with NKAO. Prior to the discontinuance, H&RW ID had not received any water for over 20 years. There are miles of easements within the Culbertson Canal and Lateral System that serviced H&RW ID and are now considered by NKAO to be no longer needed for project purposes. NKAO is recommending the abandonment of these easements.

An essential requirement for abandoning an easement includes obtaining a title search report from a title company. The complexities of these searches may vary, with some requiring multiple parcel checks while others may involve simpler arrangements.

III. Scope

Contractors are required to furnish sufficient labor, materials, transportation, equipment, tools, operating supplies, incidentals, etc. to complete services. Contractors must provide qualified personnel in a timely manner, respecting the specified delivery schedules. All reports and conclusions supplied under this agreement will be for the exclusive use of the U.S. Government; therefore, disclosure is prohibited outside of Reclamation/NKAO representatives.

Services to be Facilitated:

1. **Title Search**: Provide a title search report, including copies of instruments that created rights, interests, or encumbrances on the proposed easement area and ingress-egress descriptions.

2. **Additional Services**: Provide any other necessary services to finalize the easement abandonment transaction.

IV. Standards and Responsibilities

The abandonment of program easements will adhere to the following regulatory requirements:

Regulations of the Attorney General Governing the Review and Approval of Title for Federal Land Acquisitions (2016).

Contractors will conduct customary title search services, including a diligent examination of public land records. The resulting report must:

1) Disclose the name of each person or entity in whose name title is vested.

2) Identify additional parties claiming an interest in the property, including tenants, lienholders, beneficiaries of easements, and others as recorded.

3) Reference the easement held by the United States of America that is to be abandoned.

The contractor is responsible for being knowledgeable about current state laws governing title searches in Nebraska. The title insurance company and its agents must comply with these laws and maintain licensure to conduct title insurance business in Nebraska.

V. Response Instructions

Interested contractors are invited to provide their capabilities and experience in carrying out the required services. Responses should be submitted by Friday, February 21, 2025, at 4:30pm MST to Michelle Romine at mromine@usbr.gov.

Interested businesses shall also include the following information with their capability statement:

1) Company Name:

2) Address:

3) Point of Contact:

4) Phone Number:

5) Email:

6) Business type (Socio-economic classification under the NAICS 541191):

7) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):

8) Confirm active registration in System for Award Management (SAM):

For questions or further clarification, please contact Michelle Romine at mromine@usbr.gov.

For record keeping purposes, telephonic inquiries will not be accepted.

The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with responding to this Sources Sought Notice. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach.

The Government will not be bound to this information if a solicitation is issued. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action, based on the responses to this notice is at the discretion of the Government.

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