Real Property Title Evidence, Insurance and Closing Service

This announcement constitutes a Source Sought Synopsis. This announcement seeks information from industry and will only be used for preliminary planning purposes. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SYNOPSIS. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. 

The Task Force Virgin Island Puerto Rico (VIPR) is seeking interest from prospective bidders for a potential fiscal year (FY) 2024 award of the aforementioned project.  The purpose of this synopsis is to gauge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of the Title Service Community, to include Small Businesses, as the Government must ensure there is adequate competition amongst the potential pool of responsible contractors. 

The proposed project will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. Task Force VIPR anticipates the issuance of a Request for Quote (RFQ). No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to said synopsis or any follow-up information requested.

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, quality control, and other items necessary to issue real property American Land Title Agency (ALTA) U.S. title insurance policies and perform related title clearance and sale transaction closing services in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as defined in this PWS, except for those items specified as government furnished property and/or services. 

The object is as follows:

1. 1. Provide a 60-year title search (40-year if appraised value is less than $50,000) and provide a Preliminary ALTA U.S. Policy (9-28-91 (Revised 12-3-12) Title Commitment within fifteen (15) business days of request.  Reports shall include title evidence with certified English translations of deed, legal description, chain of title, and all other underlying documents.
   2. Resolve exceptions to title with owners, heirs, lenders, attorneys, utilities, brokers, courts, government agencies, or any other potential lienholder or encumbrance within twenty-one 20) business days of receiving an executed Offer to Sell (OTS) or Offer To Lease (OTL) contract.
   3. Upon receipt of an executed OTS from the Contracting Officer (KO) or Contracting Officer Representative (COR), perform the transaction closing.
   4. In files where a condemnation action is required in Federal Court, keep file active until the court case is concluded (approximately 18 – 24 months), and then update the title commitment and issue the ALTA U.S. Policy in the name of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER).  Perform interim updates, if requested.
   5. Upon notice by the KO or COR, prepare closing instruments, provide closing cost estimate, and submit all for review and approval.
   6. Upon request by the KO or COR, conduct closing services, receive closing funds, pay off and cancel any prior and current mortgage(s), coordinate resubordination of mortgage(s), payoff taxes and other liens required under the title policy exceptions, or as according to the escrow/closing instructions, and submit any required filings or deposits with governmental agencies.
   7. Record new general warranty deed in the Puerto Rico Registry of Property, with title vested in the DNER, and issue the ALTA U.S. Policy (9-28-91 (Revised 12-3-12)) to same.
   8. Balance all accounts, disburse all remaining escrowed funds, and distribute all required closing documentation.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 541120 Offices of Notaries.

Anticipated solicitation issuance date is on or about 11 December 2023. The official Synopsis citing the solicitation number will be issued on the SAM.gov Contracting Opportunities Website: https://sam.gov.  

Responses to this Synopsis shall be limited to 5 pages and shall include the following information:

1.  Firm’s name, address, point of contact, phone number, website, and email address.

2.  Firm’s interest in bidding on the solicitation when it is issued.

3.  Firm’s capability to perform a contract of this magnitude and complexity (include firm’s capability to execute comparable work performed within the past 2 years: Brief description of the project, customer name, timeliness of performance, customer satisfaction, and dollar value of the project) – provide at least 3 examples.

4.  Firm’s Business category and Business Size –Other than Small, Small Business, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, or HUBzone. If your firm is a Small Business, be sure you understand the performance of work requirements for your specific socioeconomic category. i.e. SB, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, or HUBZone. 

5. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, firms should address the structure of such arrangements to include Joint Venture information if applicable – existing and potential.

All responses to this sources sought notice/market research will be evaluated and used in determining acquisition strategy.

Submission Instructions:

Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the work associated with the subject requirement, are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice no later than 8 December 2023 at 4:00PM, Local Time. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be sent to Ms. Melaine E. Robles via email at melaine.e.robles@usace.army.mil   

Prior Government contract work is not required for submitting a response under this sources sought synopsis. 

You must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), in order to be eligible to receive an award from any Government solicitation. To register, go to www.sam.gov.