USDA -- Natural Resources Conservation Service, 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302

R -- CLOSING AGENT SERVICES SOL NRCS-07-LA-00 DUE 021400 POC Patti D. Woods Contracting Officer (318) 473-7645 The objective of this solicitatioin is to retain closing services for acquisitions of wetland easements on behalf of the United States of America, acting by and through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture, pursuant to Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 3837. The Contractor shall furnish all closing services, including obtaining title insurance from a title company approved by the United States Attorney General. The Contractor will perform the same closing services as in a commercial transaction, including disbursement of funds, obtaining deeds and any necessary curative instruments to assure merchantable insurable title in the name of the United States of America to the wetland easement.The closing services will be performed in the parish courthouse of the parish in which the wetland easement is located, unless the Contractor and landowner mutually agree to a different location.The majority of past work has been located in North and Northeast Lousiana, but may however be in any parish located in the state. The estimated quantity is 25 closing per year.The Contractor is responsible for having a current knowledge of the requirements of Louisiana state law in connection with closing real estate transactions and title clearance. The title insurance company must be on the United States Attorney General's list of approved companies and must comply with all state laws, including title insurance reserves requirements. The Contractor must be an approved agent licensed to do title insurance business in the State of Louisiana. The title insurance company must be approved by the Louisiana State Insurance Commissioner.The Contractor will provide evidence of liability insurance coverage for errors and omissions in the amount of at least $1,000,000 and fidelity coverage of at least $500,000 on each individual who will have access to the WRP funds or provide an indemnification agreement from the title insurance for which the Contractor will close the transaction(s) satisfactory to the NRCS providing for reimbursement to NRCS for any loss caused by fraud or dishonesty or failure by the attorneys, agents or employees of the Contractor to comply with NRCS' written closing instructions. The ALTA Closing Protection Letter Revised 3/27/87 is satisfactory to meet this condition of esponsibility. Evidence of liability must be provided prior to contract award. The government contemplates award of a Firm-Fixed Price, Requirements contract resulting from this solicitation. A three year option will be included. Mutliple awards may be made to at least 2 contractors. Evaluation factors for award is 1)Demonstrated experience in Wetland Reserve Program and real estate closings. 2) Evidence of adequately staffed, trained, and equipped office to deliver the work required in a timely manner. 3) Proxmity to the area in order to provide convenient service to NRCS and WRP landowners in carrying out the duties outlined in the Scope of Work. 4)Cost. The SIC code for this effort is 7389. This is a 100% small business set-aside.Packages will be issued on or about 01/26/00. Proposals will be due 02/14/00, 2:00pm local time. Please fax your request for an RFP package to (318) 473-7682. Posted 01/10/00 (W-SN414597). (0010)

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