Title Services for Neches River NWR Tracts (11q, r)-Division of Realty, LR2 THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Joint Administrative Operations, Acquisition & Property Operations, FWS Division of Realty-LR2 has a requirement for land acquisition closing title services and a final title insurance policy for Neches River NWR Tracts (11q, r). The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate a firm fixed price contract with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-l(b) to the following vendor: CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company 318 Neches St Jacksonville, TX 75766-4932 Period of performance is 12/13/2022 through 11/21/2023. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 524127 Direct Title Insurance Carriers; the business size standard is $41.5M. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has been working on a land acquisition project containing 1,485.33 acres in Anderson and Cherokee Counties and located on the Neches River NWR near Jacksonville, TX. The cost of title work, escrow and closing services, and final title insurance policy for this land acquisition project is expected to exceed the micropurchase limit but not the $25,000 threshold. The USFWS partner in land acquisition, The Conservation Fund (TCF), has purchased this property via a loan. The TCF used CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company to do all the title/escrow/closing work. The USFWS can save money, time, and effort by using the same company for closing the transaction due to the company's familiarity with the acquisition area and the extensive exceptions to the title that must be cleared. Market research indicates that there are only a few small business title companies in the State of Texas that are SAM registered. CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company is the closest vendor to the land being acquired, is considered very reliable, Is SAM.gov registered, and most importantly, is willing to work with the USFWS. Department of Justice standards require the USFWS to pay for title work performed after closing on the acquisition. CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company understands that the USFWS cannot pay for the work until after closing takes place. Contracts with the USFWS for land acquisition closings take a minimum of a year and take as long as two years, whereas private market closings can take as little as 30 to 45 days to close and be paid. In the State of Texas, state law mandates the costs for title policy insurance. Other associated costs such as the local county recording fees, tax certificates and transfer tax fees are the same in the County no matter the title service company involved. CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company has served Cherokee and Anderson Counties, Texas for many years. The USFWS has contracted with CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company on various acquisitions since establishment of the Neches River NWR. This vendor has established a pattern of providing quality services and promptly delivering required deliverables. CC Title Services, LLC dba Cherokee Title Company uses national underwriters including Title Resources Guaranty Company, Alamo Title Company, Chicago Title Insurance Company, and First American Title Insurance. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within ten calendar days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. If any interested party believes they can meet the above requirement within the needed period of performance, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The statement of capabilities must be submitted in writing and must contain clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. If parties choose to respond, any cost associated with preparation and submission of data or any other cost incurred in response to this announcement are the sole responsibility of the respondent and will not be reimbursed by the Government. Capability statements shall be submitted by e-mail ONLY as a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachment to the following address:
[email protected]. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS/OFFERS WILL BE HONORED.