Multi-provider On-Call, and As-Needed Title and Escrow Services in Del Norte County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for multi-provider on-call and as-needed title and escrow services in Del Norte County to support property acquisitions for future State highway facilities. Qualified bidders must be title and escrow companies regulated by the California Department of Insurance and will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive range of services including preliminary title reports, title record searches, litigation guarantees, policies of title insurance, statement of record ownership charges, document preparation and signing fees, electronic recording fees, and escrow services. The procurement encompasses 17 identified parcels with various property types including commercial, residential, and government-owned properties, with the bid proposal containing 112 line items covering title and escrow services across multiple transaction value ranges. Bidders must submit written questions by March 19, 2026, with bid submissions due by 2:00 p.m. on March 26, 2026, followed by a bid opening at 2:30 p.m. on the same date. The proposed award date is April 3, 2026, with the Agreement commencing on May 1, 2026, and expiring on April 30, 2031 (five-year term), though a placement period for new orders is limited to three years ending April 30, 2029, and amendments may extend completion of open escrow orders by up to one year beyond expiration. Caltrans will award the Agreement to the two lowest responsible bidders meeting all specifications, and all contractors must maintain a valid Title and Escrow License from the California Department of Insurance, provide proof of insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and comply with State and Federal requirements including organic waste recycling, Russia sanctions provisions, and Generative Artificial Intelligence reporting requirements.

A five percent (5%) Small Business (SB) preference is available for certified Small Business or Micro Business contractors, with a preference cap not to exceed $50,000 per bid, and a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentive of 5% applies to verified DVBE participation at 100% involvement, with a combined incentive and preference dollar cap of $100,000. The Agreement operates as a multiple-provider contract with each contractor's rates paid according to their individual bid proposal; the cost limitation is limited to the lowest responsive responsible bidder's contract price. All costs for employer payments, travel, insurance premiums, taxes, and other expenses must be included in the bid rates submitted by contractors. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents. The procurement does not specify an overall budget range or maximum award value; rather, compensation will be determined by the individual bid proposals submitted by the selected contractors for the 112 line items covering various title and escrow services across different transaction value ranges.