IFB 02A2438 Multi-Provider Title and Escrow Services in Plumas County

Caltrans is seeking up to two contractors to provide multi-provider title and escrow services for property acquisitions in Plumas County, California, through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered 02A2438. The procurement covers comprehensive title and escrow services required for future State highway facility developments, including preliminary title reports, title record searches, ownership statements, continuation guarantees, document preparation and recording, disbursement, and escrow services. Bidders must be title and escrow companies regulated by the California Department of Insurance, with the solicitation encompassing 112 line items covering residential and commercial title insurance policy rates, litigation guarantee rates, and escrow rates across various transaction tiers. Key procurement dates include a deadline for written questions on August 11, 2025, bid submissions due August 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., and a bid opening at 2:30 p.m., with a proposed award date of August 26, 2025. The contract agreement period will run from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2030, with new orders limited to a three-year period ending August 31, 2028, and estimated quantities ranging from 137 preliminary title reports to various transaction-based services.

The procurement includes specific provisions for small businesses, with Small Business (SB) and Micro Business (MB) receiving a 5% preference up to $50,000. While Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation is encouraged with a 5% incentive for 100% participation, it is not mandatory. Caltrans is committed to meeting the State's 25% Small Business participation goal, and the contract includes comprehensive insurance requirements and performance standards. The solicitation allows for third-party reconveyance and subordination fees up to 10% of the subtotal amount, with work assignment prioritized to the lowest-ranked bidder and escalating to subsequent bidders as needed. Though a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the extensive line items and five-year contract duration suggest a potentially significant procurement opportunity for qualified title and escrow service providers in the California transportation infrastructure development sector.