Compliance Review of Grant Recipients

Sources Sought Notice
Compliance Review of Grant Recipients

I. Background Information
The United States Forest Service (FS) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice (SSN) to obtain information on companies with the capabilities of conducting compliance reviews of federal grant recipients. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an RFP or as a decision or obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice.

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is authorized by the 1990 Farm Bill, which amended the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the FLP to protect environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. FLP was amended by the 1996 Farm Bill to allow for grants to the States.

Through FLP, the Forest Service provides grants to State agencies (typically the State Forestry Agency) to protect important forests through conservation easements (Approx. 65% of all FLP projects) and fee-simple purchases (Approx. 35% of all FLP projects).

As required in the FLP Guidelines, the Forest Service conducts quality assurance oversight reviews to ensure the State agency's appraisals are in compliance with the federal appraisal requirements. FS established the Quality Assurance Inspection (QAI) process to conduct such oversight reviews. To date, FS personnel have conducted the reviews using internal resources. FS is exploring the possibility of contractors conducting this function.

The anticipated scope of work would entail reviewing documentation, reviewing processes by conducting in-person or virtual interviews with State agency staff, reviewing files, and preparing a report of findings and recommendations focused on improving the State's processes.

FS seeks contractors with experience and expertise in all of the following:
• Conducting oversight reviews in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA or "Yellow Book") and the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
• Completing real estate appraisals and/or reviews of conservation easements.

FS requires contractor personnel to have the following certifications:
• State General Appraiser Certification
• Certificate of Completion of a UASFLA Seminar (as student or instructor)
• Certificate of Completion of Conservation Easement Appraisal coursework (student or instructor)
• Appraisal Professional Designation or Accreditation

II. Sources Sought Responses

Vendors that meet the requirements above shall submit a sources sought response that identifies the following:

1. Company Name, DUNS, Website URL and Point-of-Contact.
2. Contracting vehicle names and numbers (such as GSA Schedule contracts) that would be eligible for use given the anticipated scope of work in Section I.
3. Brief descriptions of relevant work completed in the last five years that aligns with the anticipated scope of work in Section I. Please include the email address and phone number of the customer.
4. Any recommendations, exceptions, etc on the requirements listed in Section I.

Responses are limited to 3 pages with the following guidance:
• 8.5 x 11 inch paper
• Single-spaced typed lines
• 1 inch margins
• Times New Roman 12-point Font