Title Abstract Search and Settlement/Closing Services in Wisconsin

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking a small business to provide title abstract search and settlement/closing services for conservation easement acquisitions in Wisconsin. The solicitation (12FPC425Q0011) requires a contractor to perform comprehensive title-related services including title searches, title commitments, post-survey updates, final title policies, and closing services for various NRCS easement programs such as ACEP-WRE, WRP, EWPP-FPE, RCPP, and HFRP. The government will evaluate quotes using a tradeoff methodology that prioritizes technical capability and past performance over price, with the intent to award a single firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreement. Potential offerors must submit quotes in two parts (technical narrative and price quote) by 12:00 Noon Eastern Time on January 14, 2025, with questions due by January 3, 2025. The solicitation requires contractors to be licensed in Wisconsin and capable of delivering title commitments within 21 business days and closing services within 30 calendar days of receiving federal funds.

The contract is 100% set aside for small businesses under NAICS code 541191 (Title Abstract and Settlement Offices) with a size standard of $19.5 million. There is no incumbent contractor identified in the solicitation documents. The period of performance spans five years from February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2030, with estimated annual volumes of 20-25 title orders per fiscal year. Last year, there were 5 NRCS easement closings and 30 preliminary title commitments in Wisconsin. The place of performance will be Abbotsford, Wisconsin, with work conducted at the contractor's facilities during standard business hours. Contractors must maintain active SAM registration, provide liability insurance, and process payments through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), with compensation structured in two phases: one payment upon approval of preliminary title commitment and another upon final closing approval.