Special notice of intent to award a sole source contract

SPECIAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES.

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Office: Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR
Posting Type: Notice of Intent to Sole Source
Authority: FAR 12102(a) - for acquisitions valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) of $350K.
1. Description of Requirement
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) intends to award a firm fixed price, sole source contract for title services, closing costs, and issuance of the final title policy in support of a land exchange involving multiple high value properties for the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). These services require specialized technical expertise, regional familiarity, and adherence to federal title standards essential to mission continuity and timely completion of the land exchange.
2. Intended Sole Source Vendor
Sierra Title Company of Cameron, Willacy and Kenedy Counties, Inc.
1902 E Harrison Ave, Harlingen, TX 78550 USA
Sierra Title is the only known vendor with comprehensive familiarity with the Service's land acquisition processes, the specific refuge acquisition area, and the unique title exceptions that must be cleared prior to federal land acquisition. The vendor has a demonstrated history of supporting USFWS realty actions within the region and maintains active SAM registration.
In addition, Sierra Title is willing to accommodate Department of Justice (DOJ) requirements that title work be paid post-closing an essential compliance condition. Their extensive historical knowledge of the region and capability to perform the work in an expedited manner make them the only viable source to support the mission-critical land exchange.
3. Sole Source Justification
Market research conducted by USFWS determined that Sierra Title Company is the only responsible source capable of providing the required services. Market research included:
- Review of comparable commercial title services
- Assessment of regional vendors' technical qualifications
- Evaluation of historical knowledge and familiarity with refuge acquisition areas
- Review of compliance capability with DOJ standards
- Consideration of timeline constraints necessary for mission success
Findings show that no other vendor can meet all required specifications, performance criteria, compliance requirements, and expedited timeline necessary to support USFWS operations for this land exchange. As a result, Sierra Title Company is the only responsible and technically capable source that can fulfill the requirement.
4. No Solicitation Will Be Posted
This Notice is not a solicitation, and no solicitation package will be issued. However, interested parties may submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet all requirements listed in this notice.
Responses that do not clearly demonstrate the ability to meet every requirement will not be considered.
5. Response Instructions
Responses must include:
- Business name and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Demonstrated technical capability to meet all requirements
- Evidence of product/service equivalency
- Confirmation of SAM.gov registration
- Ability to meet delivery/performance timelines
Responses will be evaluated solely to determine whether additional sources exist that can satisfy USFWS requirements.
Email for responses: Solmaz_Salih@ios.doi.gov
Response Deadline: September 21, 2026, 5:00 PM EST
6. Determination
A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of USFWS. The Government will not reimburse any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice.

NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS/OFFERS WILL BE HONORED