Loan Underwriting, Closing, and Servicing for Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for loan underwriting, closing, and servicing for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program (DRLP). This procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive loan management services for agriculture and aquaculture producers who have experienced damage from declared natural disasters. Key deliverables include reviewing loan applications, conducting thorough underwriting, closing approved loans, and ongoing loan servicing. The RFP requires the selected contractor to maintain a $50,000 Closing Costs Fund for expenses related to appraisals, title searches, insurance, lien filings, and other closing-related costs. Proposals are due on April 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET, with a public proposal opening scheduled for April 16, 2025. The initial contract term is five years, with an option to renew for an additional five years, and the anticipated award date is April 29, 2025. Evaluation will include careful review of the contractor's proposed compensation, with bids over 5% being deemed non-responsive for both initial and renewal terms.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Compensation for the contractor will be based on a percentage of the total value of loans closed in the preceding month, with financial consequences for missing documentation, late reporting, and failure to meet performance measures. The contract includes detailed liquidated damages provisions for inadequate loan servicing, with penalties ranging from 20-60% of compensation depending on the timing and severity of the deficiency. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the program appears to have flexibility in loan volume and potential compensation. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining detailed financial records, providing regular reconciliation reports, and demonstrating a comprehensive approach to managing the natural disaster recovery loan program for Florida's agricultural and aquaculture producers.