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

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting bids for multi-provider on-call and as-needed Title and Escrow Services in Tehama County through an Invitation for Bid (IFB). The procurement will serve Tehama County, Trinity County, Tehama City, and Rancho Tehama Reserve CDP and is intended to support the acquisition of properties needed for future State highway facilities in the region. Eligible bidders must be title and escrow companies regulated by the California Department of Insurance and must possess a valid and current Title and Escrow license at the time of bid submittal and continuously throughout the agreement term. The scope of services includes preliminary title reports, title record searches, statement of record ownership charges, updates to preliminary title reports, document copying and preparation, electronic recording and disbursement services, and both residential and commercial title insurance policies and litigation guarantees for escrow transactions. Pricing is structured on a unit price basis for individual line items, with tiered rates for title insurance policies based on transaction amounts ranging from $0 to $5,000,000, and contractors may bill actual costs for third-party reconveyance and subordination fees up to a maximum of 10 percent of the subtotal with no markup allowed. The written question submittal deadline is April 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with final bids due April 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, followed by bid opening at 2:30 p.m. the same day. The estimated award date is April 21, 2026, with the agreement commencing May 1, 2026 and expiring April 30, 2031, with a five-year period for placement of new orders ending April 30, 2029. Up to two responsible bidders submitting the lowest bids will be awarded agreements, and Caltrans will assign work on a service request basis, with work first offered to the lowest-ranked bidder, then ascending to the second-lowest if needed.

This procurement encourages participation from Small Businesses (SBs) and Micro Businesses (MBs) certified by the California Department of General Services through a five percent bid preference, and also encourages Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation with a DVBE incentive of up to five percent of the lowest responsive and responsible bid for verified DVBE participation. No subcontracting is permitted under this agreement. Required documents at bid submittal include the Bid Proposal (ADM-1412), Bid/Bidder Certification Sheet (DOT ADM-1416), California Civil Rights Laws Certification (DOT ADM-0076), Darfur Contracting Act Certification (DOT ADM-0077), and a copy of the Title and Escrow License. Contractors awarded the agreement will be required to provide insurance certificates within 10 working days of award, including Commercial General Liability with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability with $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Workers' Compensation with Employer's Liability limits of $1,000,000. The total agreement amount remains to be determined, and Caltrans will pay for services actually rendered as authorized by the Contract Manager up to the total agreement amount.