W912P826QA021 Solicitation Questions.pdf

1. Are there incumbents for this work? If so please provide their names and prices for each line item. The previous title services contracts have expired. Pricing information from prior contracts is considered procurement-sensitive and will not be disclosed.

2. How many title commitments are expected per year? The Government estimates approximately 20 title commitment assignments annually. Actual requirements may vary based on project needs.

3. How many Tract Ownership Data assignments are expected per year? The Government estimates approximately 20 Tract Ownership Data assignments annually. Actual requirements may vary based on project needs.

4. Are any assignments for title commitments ready to be assigned upon award of the BPAs? How many? The Government anticipates that approximately five title commitment assignments may be available shortly after BPA award.

5. Are any assignments of Tract Ownership Data ready to be assigned upon award of the BPAs? How many? The Government anticipates that approximately five Tract Ownership Data assignments may be available shortly after BPA award.

6. How does an offeror quote for 5 years when the quote sheet appears to cover only one year? Offerors may submit proposed pricing for Years 2 through 5 if rates are expected to differ from Year 1 pricing. The Government intends to amend the solicitation to clarify that offerors may propose an annual escalation rate of up to 5% for Option Years 2 through 5.

7. Will the government assign the work based on the quote sheet prepared by the offeror in support of this solicitation? Yes. Proposed pricing submitted with the quotation will be considered when issuing task orders.

8. Will the government assign work equally to each BPA holder during the years of the BPA? No. The Government will consider several factors when issuing task orders, including proposed fees, turnaround times, current workload and open task orders, and past performance.

9. When a call order is to be issued will the government compete the existing BPA holders to achieve the best price possible for the work? No. Pricing will be established with each BPA holder at the time of BPA award and will be utilized in task order issuance decisions.

10. Minerals - will a subsurface mineral search be required or does the contractor just need to determine if severance has occurred? The statement of work is vague regarding this. Examination of title to mineral interests will be necessary when a decision is made to acquire mineral interests. Mineral searches may also be required where property is to be acquired in fee and the fee estate restricts access to and/or use of the surface estate. Additionally, both fee and servitude acquisitions in the name of the United States may require identification of outstanding mineral interests. The title insurance commitment must identify the current ownership of the surface estate and any outstanding third-party interests, including mineral interests, mineral leases, and servitudes. While Louisiana law does not recognize mineral interests as severable estates in the same manner as some other states, mineral servitudes and related mineral rights may exist and must be identified where applicable. It is the responsibility of the contractor and its title insurance underwriter to determine the appropriate method for conducting any required mineral research necessary to support issuance of the title insurance commitment and final policy. The title insurer must provide title insurance coverage that addresses any required mineral interest examination.

11. Can an offeror decline to bid on the CLINs involving mineral searches? These require the services of a landman which are typically billed on an hourly basis. Yes.

However, contractors may utilize qualified landmen to perform mineral title research, subject to prior Government approval of the landman's qualifications and proposed fees. Where a mineral search is required, the contractor and its underwriter shall determine the manner in which the search is conducted, provided the resulting title insurance commitment and final title policy adequately address the required mineral interests.

12. Is the contractor permitted to bill for multiple chains of title when discovered during the search? No. Additional billing for multiple chains of title will not be permitted.

13. The quote sheet requires a quote for Tract Ownership Data yet no statement of work is provided nor is a performance/delivery timeframe provided. Please provide the needed information. The Government intends to amend the solicitation to provide additional information regarding Tract Ownership Data requirements. The performance period for Tract Ownership Data assignments will be 15 calendar days from receipt of the task order unless otherwise specified in the individual assignment. Offerors should continue to monitor SAM.gov for the forthcoming amendment and any additional details regarding the scope of work.

14. Please clarify that the Corps will be performing the curative work to achieve the issuance of title insurance for each acquisition. Yes. The Government will be responsible for performing the curative actions necessary to support issuance of title insurance. The contractor, however, will be called upon to review and/or approve the proposed curative work prior to execution and recordation of same.

15. Please clarify that the Corps will be performing the closing services/activities in relation to each acquisition. Yes. The Government will perform the closing services and acquisition-related closing activities.