Rural Development (RD) is in the process of seeking information pertaining to default services for single family housing. This effort was previously solicited as National Default Management Services “NDMS,” and is now being contemplated as potentially four separate lines of service. As such, additional market research is currently being conducted to assist RD in making a determination concerning the best acquisition strategies. The efforts include four lines of services under USDA RD’s Default Program. This RFI is for the line of service consisting of property preservation services. 1.0 DESCRIPTION The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) Servicing Office, is soliciting information from potential sources to provide property preservation activities in all company provide property preservation and inspection services for rural and remote locations within the 50 US states and the territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Western Pacific Islands. The USDA RD Servicing Office is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) and sources sought as a means of conducting market research to identify large and small businesses having an interest in and the experience, ability, capacity and resources to provide the demonstrated expertise, supervision, labor, materials, equipment, and supplies necessary to provide property preservation services throughout the 50 US states and the territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Western Pacific Islands. USDA RD intends to evaluate small business capability on a national basis, in order to determine the best approach to meet the agency’s need. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 531390, Other Activities Related to Real Estate. Firms that attest to having annual receipts less than $8M under NAICS 531390 are considered small businesses for this requirement. 1.2 THIS IS AN RFI/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY AND A SOLICITATION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the future. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals or request for quotes and does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service, whatsoever. Further, the USDA RD Servicing Office is not, at this time, seeking proposals or quotes and will not accept unsolicited proposals or quotations. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred associated to this request for capability information. Not responding to this RFI/sources sought notice does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if one is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Potential offerors are responsible for monitoring these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Responses do not guarantee award nor exclude/include you in the acquisition process. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. 2.0 BACKGROUND USDA RD is charged with servicing mortgage loans and grants extended to individuals in rural and remote areas throughout the 50 US states and the territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Western Pacific Islands. Beginning operation in October 1996, USDA RD has serviced as many as 650,000 government loans and grants originating with U.S. Treasury funds. Currently USDA RD services approximately 275,000 Direct (502) Single Family Housing Loans. The USDA RD mission is to be a cost-effective service provider that strives to keep individuals and families in their homes through the use of various servicing tools including payment subsidies, moratoriums on payments, partial payment agreements and other methods. Low and very low-income families are provided this subsidized loan program through a network of field offices across the United States of America (USA), its territories, and commonwealths. The agency is committed to providing an opportunity for rural Americans to become and remain successful homeowner. USDA RD is performing market research pertaining to small business contractor support for property preservation services to assist with a variety of nationwide property/asset management services associated with pre- and post-liquidation of single-family housing rural properties serving as security for rural house loans throughout RD’s servicing area. The anticipated services can generally be categorized as: inspections and property maintenance. 3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES Provide property preservation services for rural and remote locations within the 50 US states and the territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Western Pacific Islands. Islands to include but are not limited to: Property Preservation Inspections Code Compliance Vacant Property Registration Utility Management Repairs Maintenance Debris removal Securing/Lock Changes Eviction Services Extermination Winterization Insurance Boarding Lawn Maintenance Environmental Hazards (meth labs, fuel tanks, lead based paints, mold, etc.) Initial and reoccurring services listed above will depend on the property ownership and occupancy status. The Contractor shall provide all management, supervision, labor, tools, supplies, insurance, taxes, fees, and permits to complete the services, in addition to all reporting and documentation. All work performed under this requirement must adhere to Federal, State, and Local laws, statutes, and ordinances. These include but are not limited to: The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a) The Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq) The Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended (PL 97-365) HUD Schedule of Standard Attorney/Trustee’s Fees (RD AN 4560) 4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION Interested parties, who consider themselves qualified sources that can provide these services are invited to provide a written response to the questions in Exhibit A, attached to this announcement, and electronically submit your responses to:
[email protected], no later than 4:00 PM EASTERN TIME (EST) Sep 1, 2021. 4.0 RESPONSES 4.1 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS : Interested parties are encouraged to respond to this RFI/Sources Sought notice. All communication shall be in writing and submitted electronically via email, referencing Prop Pres SERVICES RFI. No information will be taken by telephone. 4.2 Written responses are due no later than 4:00 PM EASTERN TIME (EST) Sep 1, 2021. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Do not submit a cost proposal. 4.3 SECTION I - of your submission shall provide administrative information and shall include the following at a minimum: 4.3.1. Name, mailing address, DUNS number, GSA Contract number (if applicable) phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 4.3.2. Scope of services your company currently provides. 4.3.3. Provide a short paragraph of your recommended “start-up/transition strategy” to mitigate, reduce, or eliminate startup risk. 4.4 SECTION II - of your submission shall provide responses to the questions listed in Exhibit A of this document and any additional information to substantiate your demonstrated capability to deliver property preservation services in the 50 states and U.S. territories that include Puerto Rico, Guam (and its Islands) and the Virgin Islands. 5.0 INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS USDA RD representatives may or may not choose to contact sources to gather additional information. Such industry discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements. 6.0 QUESTIONS Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing, via e-mail, to the
[email protected]. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. 7.0 Summary THIS IS AN RFI/SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY . The information provided in the sources sought is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The USDA RD Servicing Office, has not made a commitment to procure any of the services discussed, and release of this sources sought should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.