Green Infrastructure Design and Construction Management Services RFQ

Request for Proposals (RFP)
Real Estate Title Services
Issuance Date: August 18, 2026
Questions Due: September 8, 2026
Q & A Posting: September 18, 2026
Proposal Due: October 1, 2026
Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery
Issued by: City of St. Louis
Community Development Administration (CDA)
WWW.STLOUIS-MO.GOV/CDA/CDBG/DISASTER-RECOVERY/

Request for Proposals (RFP) Real Estate Title Services
Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery
Issued by: City of St. Louis, Community Development Administration (CDA)
Estimated Timeline
Issuance Date: August 18, 2026
Questions Due: September 8, 2026
Q & A Posting: September 18, 2026
Proposal Due: October 1, 2026
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Table of Contents
I. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4
A. About CDA
B. Need for Services (Purpose & Intent of RFP)
C. Compensation and Invoicing
D. Estimated Schedule
II. Scope of Work/Services ..................................................................................... 6
A. General Statement
B. Specific Title Services
C. Regulatory Compliance Requirements
D. Title Deliverables
E. Complex Ownership and Encumbrances
F. Uniform Relocation Act Compliance
G. Environmental Clearance Protection
H. Coordination with Program Requirements
III. Firm Qualifications ............................................................................................ 11
A. Minimum Qualifications
IV. Proposal Submission Requirements ................................................................. 11
A. Deadline and Delivery Instructions
B. Questions and Communications
C. Eligible Proposers
D. Required Information and Preferred Format
E. Submission Letter
F. Proposal Contents
G. Previous Work
H. Project Schedule
I. Fee Schedule/Budget
V. Selection Process .............................................................................................. 15
A. Selection Committee
B. Evaluation Criteria
C. Notice of Approval/Rejection
Appendix A: Recommended Fee Schedules Submission Format ............................. 17
Appendix B: Proposal General Conditions ............................................................... 18
Appendix C: Required Forms and Documentation ................................................... 22
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I. INTRODUCTION
A. About CDA
The St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA) manages federal, state, and local
funding to support affordable housing, public services, neighborhood revitalization, and community
development initiatives. Through its Administration and Housing Divisions, CDA oversees more than
$200 million in investments aimed at promoting economic justice, reducing blight, and expanding
opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.
B. Need for Services (Purpose & Intent of RFP)
The Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program provides
communities impacted by disasters with resources to address a wide range of disaster-related needs.
CDBG-DR allocations provide funding to develop viable communities, particularly for low- and
moderate-income persons, through decent housing, a suitable living environment, and the expansion of
economic opportunities.
In response to historic flooding in July of 2022, the City of St. Louis has received $25,834,000 in
funding to support long-term recovery efforts following the 2022 Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding
event DR-4665-MO through its Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) within the Office of Community
Planning and Development. The City of St. Louis' Community Development Administration (CDA) is
the lead and responsible agency for administering the CDBG-DR funds allocated to St. Louis.
The City of St. Louis requests proposals from licensed title companies and/or title agents to provide title
examination, title clearance, title commitments, title insurance, and related title services for properties
participating in the City's Voluntary Buyout and Green Infrastructure Implementation Program.
The selected firm shall coordinate with the Land Reutilization Authority (LRA), City staff, and other
program partners to support property acquisition activities associated with the City's Voluntary Buyout
and Green Infrastructure Implementation Program.
Services shall include title examination, title research, identification of title defects and other
encumbrances, coordination of title curative activities, preparation of title commitments, issuance of title
insurance policies, and preparation of documentation necessary to facilitate property acquisition
activities. The Contractor shall not serve as settlement agent or closing agent unless specifically
authorized by CDA. Closing and settlement services may be procured separately by CDA.
The selected contractor shall perform all services in accordance with applicable Community
Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) requirements and all other applicable
federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidance, including, but not limited to, Federal Register
Notice FR-6393-N-01, 24 CFR Part 570, and 2 CFR Part 200.
The contractor shall support the City's compliance with all applicable federal cross-cutting requirements,
including, but not limited to, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies
Act (URA), environmental review requirements, duplication of benefits (DOB) requirements,
documentation and recordkeeping standards, monitoring requirements, and other applicable program
requirements. The contractor shall coordinate all title-related activities in a manner that supports the
City's compliance with applicable environmental review and acquisition requirements.
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Voluntary Buyout Program - Number of Title Reviews May Vary
The City's residential Flood Buyout Program is strictly voluntary. A property owner may withdraw from
participation at any time before closing. The estimated workload of properties is provided for planning
and proposal-pricing purposes only and does not guarantee any minimum or maximum number of title
reviews or related services. CDA will authorize services on a property-by-property basis. The City will
pay only for services that are authorized by CDA, completed in accordance with the resulting contract,
accepted by the City, and eligible under applicable CDBG-DR requirements. CDA will not authorize
new title review or title work for a property after the City determines that the property owner has
withdrawn, unless CDA expressly authorizes limited closeout or cancellation-related work in writing.
C. Compensation and Invoicing
The services described in this RFP will be funded through Community Development Block
Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. CDA intends to execute a contract with the selected
proposer(s) for the provision of title services on a per-property (per-unit) basis in accordance with the
pricing submitted in the approved proposal.
Any services not included within the standard per-property pricing structure, including authorized legal
or complex title curative services, shall be performed only upon prior written approval by CDA and
shall be compensated in accordance with the pricing submitted in the approved proposal.
All invoices must include, at a minimum:
Property address and parcel identification number
Description of services performed Itemized costs by activity
Confirmation that services are eligible and allowable under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E
The City reserves the right to request supporting documentation to verify cost allowability.
Contractor may be reimbursed for approved Other Direct Cost (ODC) expenses within the scope of the
project. Invoices that include ODCs shall be accompanied by evidence of the actual costs including, but
not limited to, vendor statements, payment records, or other acceptable evidence of the actual cost of the
ODC. The Contractor shall not attach any fee or other "mark-up" to the ODC. All ODCs must receive
prior written approval from CDA before the expense is incurred.
Examples of eligible ODCs may include document recordation fees, title insurance policy premiums,
wire transfer fees, certified copy fees, and other direct transaction costs approved in advance by CDA.
CDA reserves the right to request supporting documentation to verify cost allowability and compliance
with applicable program requirements.
CDA reserves the right to award contracts to one or more proposers if determined to be in the best
interest of the City.
The selected firm should submit invoices to the city upon completion of work. Invoicing may be
submitted "property-by-property", or the agency may "batch" groups of properties together for billing
purposes. The city will make payment (allow for 90 days) after a request for CDBG-DR grant funds is
received.
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D. Estimated Schedule
CDA anticipates that the Voluntary Buyout and Green Infrastructure Implementation Program will
launch during the fourth quarter of 2026. The schedule provided herein is an estimate only and is subject
to change based on program needs, funding availability, regulatory requirements, environmental review
completion, and participant enrollment.
The resulting contract shall remain in effect through completion of authorized services, exhaustion of
available program funding, or termination by CDA in accordance with the terms of the contract.
II. SCOPE OF WORK/SERVICES
A. General Statement
The Community Development Administration of the City of St. Louis is issuing this Request for
Proposals (RFP) to engage qualified title companies to provide title examination, title clearance, title
insurance and related title services for approximately twenty-five (25) developed properties and vacant
lots.
Generally, the properties are located within the City of St. Louis and within areas impacted by the 2022
flooding event or areas directly supporting flood-risk reduction objectives with relatively close
proximity to one another or directly mitigating risk reduction in the flooding areas. The accompanying
map illustrates the affected and eligible areas.
The estimated number of properties identified in this section is provided for planning purposes only.
Actual assignments may vary based on program participation, eligibility determinations, funding
availability, and other program requirements. Refer to Section I, Voluntary Buyout Program - Number
of Title Reviews May Vary.
The selected Title Company shall provide all services necessary to support CDBG-DR compliant
voluntary acquisition (buyout) activities, including but not limited to title research, title clearance, title
commitments, title policy issuance, title curative services document recordation support, and preparation
of documentation necessary to support property acquisition activities.
The selected firm must be licensed and authorized to provide title insurance and related title services in
the State of Missouri.
B. Specific Title Services
Real estate title examinations within this proposal are compensated on a per-unit basis and must include:
1) Title examination: Conduct a comprehensive title search and prepare an opinion of title
identifying ownership interests, recorded liens, encumbrances, easements, restrictions, and other
matters affecting title. Title examination shall be performed in accordance with Missouri law and
applicable title insurance requirements and shall support issuance of a title commitment and final
title insurance policy.
2) Document preparation: Provide title-related documentation and coordinate with CDA's
designated closing contractor regarding deed preparation, conveyance documentation, lien
releases, payoff documentation, and recording requirements. Responsibilities may include
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providing or supporting the preparation of title-related documents necessary to facilitate the
conveyance of property to the acquiring governmental entity, including, but not limited to,
warranty deeds (or other appropriate conveyance instruments), bills of sale, non-foreign status
affidavits (FIRPTA), owner's affidavits, title commitments, title policies, and other title-related
forms or documentation required to complete the acquisition. The Contractor shall not serve as
the settlement or closing agent unless specifically authorized by CDA.
All documents must comply with Missouri statutory requirements.
3) Basic Title Curative Services: Identify, coordinate, and resolve all clouds on the title,
outstanding mortgages, tax liens, municipal liens, judgments, or HOA assessments discovered
during the title examination. The contractor must obtain formal payoff statements, coordinate
with lenders for mortgage releases, and facilitate any necessary curative actions (such as securing
death certificates, quitclaim deeds, or affidavits of heirship) required to ensure a clear,
marketable, and insurable title is conveyed. More involved curative work may be required and
tracked based on per-unit or hourly pricing.
4) Title Curative Services: The per-unit title fee shall include all routine title curative activities
necessary to prepare a property for closing, including but not limited to:
Preparation and completion of settlement statements, including coordination of lien payoffs, tax
prorations, utility adjustments, recording fees, and other transaction-related calculations
necessary to facilitate closing and conveyance of title.
Verification of ownership and vesting
Review of recorded documents affecting title
Preparation and recording of routine lien releases
Preparation and recording of corrective affidavits, satisfactions, releases, and similar documents
Routine communication and coordination with lenders, taxing authorities, utility providers, and
other parties to resolve standard title issues
Preparation of updated title commitments and final title policies
Routine Title Curative Services Included in the Per-Unit Fee
Routine Title Curative Services do not include replacement housing title searches, replacement dwelling
title insurance, buyer-side settlement review, or curative actions affecting a replacement dwelling, except
as separately authorized and priced under the Replacement Housing Title Search and Purchase-Closing
Support line item.
5) Replacement Housing Title Search (As-Needed): Upon written authorization from CDA, the
Contractor may be requested to perform title searches and provide title commitments for
replacement housing units identified by eligible program participants. Services may include
verification of ownership, review of recorded documents affecting title, identification of liens,
encumbrances, easements, restrictions, and other matters affecting marketability of title, and
preparation of title commitments in accordance with Missouri law and industry standards.
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The Contractor shall provide written documentation of any title issues that may affect the participant's
ability to acquire the replacement property. The Contractor shall not be responsible for determining
participant eligibility, conducting housing inspections, administering relocation benefits, calculating
replacement housing payments, or approving replacement housing units for program participation.
6) Complex Curative Services: Complex curative matters requiring litigation, probate
administration, quiet title actions, partition proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings, guardianship
actions, court-ordered corrective actions, or other legal proceedings shall not be included in the
standard per-unit fee unless specifically identified in the Contractor's proposal. Such services
may be authorized separately by CDA on a case-by-case basis and compensated in accordance
with the approved fee schedule and contract terms.
Proposers shall provide a separate fee schedule for Complex Curative Services. The fee schedule may
include unit pricing or other pricing structures for anticipated services. CDA reserves the right to
authorize or decline any Complex Curative Service and makes no guarantee regarding the number or
type of such services that may be assigned under any resulting contract.
7) Document Recordation: Submit all executed conveyance documents-including the deed and
any mortgage satisfactions, releases, or lien terminations-to the appropriate county Recorder of
Deeds for official recording. Document recording must be executed promptly to protect the
government entity's legal interest in the property. Recordation fees may be billed to the program
without markup.
8) Issuance of Title Policy: Following the recording of documents, issue a final American Land
Title Association (ALTA) Owner's Policy of Title Insurance to the purchasing government entity.
The policy shall be issued in an amount equal to the final acquisition price approved by the City,
insuring the government against any past defects, liens, or encumbrances not explicitly excepted
in the policy. Title insurance premiums may be billed to the program without markup.
9) Legal Services: If attorney services are required to resolve title defects that cannot be cured
through standard title company procedures, Offerors shall provide fully burdened hourly rates for
legal staff, including:
Attorney
Paralegal
Legal Assistant
No legal services shall be reimbursed without prior written approval from the City. The contractor must
provide documentation demonstrating why legal intervention is necessary and why the work falls
outside the scope of the per-unit title and related title services fee.
The program is currently budgeted to acquire approximately 25 properties. If all eligible households
participate, this equates to 25 property acquisitions.
The residential Flood Buyout Program is strictly voluntary to property owners; thus, any property owner
may withdraw their application at any time. As a result, the actual number of title reviews may vary. No
guarantee is made for a minimum or maximum number of title reviews assigned as a result of this
solicitation.
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10) Supporting Data: Location of proposed area participating in the Voluntary Buyout Program.
C. Regulatory Compliance Requirements
49 CFR Part 24 (Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies
Act)
24 CFR Part 570 (CDBG Program Requirements)
Federal Register Notice FR-6393-N-01 (CDBG-DR Requirements)
2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements)
The contractor shall coordinate with the City to ensure all title and acquisition activities are
consistent with applicable HUD requirements.
D. Title Deliverables
Title searches, title commitments, and title insurance products prepared in accordance
with applicable industry standards and Missouri law. (e.g., ALTA or equivalent)
Identification and resolution of title defects, including liens, encumbrances, and
ownership issues
Coordination of lien releases, subordinations, and payoff statements
E. Complex Ownership and Encumbrances
Heirship and fractional ownership
Tax liens and municipal liens
Mortgage payoffs and secondary financing
Properties with clouded or unclear title
F. Uniform Relocation Act Compliance
The Contractor shall perform title-related services in a manner that supports the City's compliance with
the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, and
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applicable implementing regulations. The Contractor shall not determine participant eligibility, calculate
relocation benefits, approve replacement housing, or issue relocation notices; however, the Contractor
shall provide title documentation and transaction support necessary for the City or its designated
relocation staff to administer applicable acquisition and relocation requirements.
Coordinate with CDA, LRA, and designated program staff to provide ownership, lien, payoff,
encumbrance, and title status information needed to support voluntary acquisition
documentation.
Identify any title issues that may affect the timing of acquisition, settlement, or transfer of
property to the acquiring governmental entity.
Provide title commitments, title updates, payoff documentation, releases, and other title-related
records in a format suitable for the program file.
Notify CDA promptly of any title condition that may affect participant closing, property
acquisition, or related relocation coordination.
Maintain documentation sufficient to support federal monitoring, audit, and recordkeeping
requirements.
G. Environmental Clearance Protection
The Contractor shall coordinate all title-related activities in a manner that does not limit, restrict, or
prejudice the City's ability to complete applicable environmental review requirements before acquisition
or other choice-limiting actions occur. The Contractor shall not proceed with title-related activities that
would commit the City to acquire a property until CDA confirms that required environmental clearance
has been completed or that the activity is otherwise authorized in writing.
Coordinate with CDA and program partners to confirm whether environmental clearance has
been completed before scheduling or supporting closing.
Avoid taking or supporting any action that could be considered a commitment of funds or a
choice-limiting action prior to environmental clearance, unless specifically authorized by CDA.
Notify CDA of any title condition, recorded restriction, easement, environmental covenant,
floodplain-related encumbrance, or other matter identified in the title search that may affect
environmental review, acquisition, demolition, green infrastructure implementation, or future
open-space use.
Provide title documentation needed to support environmental review records, monitoring, and
audit requirements.
H. Coordination with Program Requirements
The Contractor shall coordinate with any separately procured closing, settlement, escrow, acquisition, or
relocation contractors engaged by the City and other authorized program partners to ensure that title
services are performed in a timely, accurate, and compliance-supportive manner. The Contractor shall
recognize that the City's voluntary buyout program is subject to CDBG-DR requirements, HUD
guidance, applicable Federal Register notices, 2 CFR Part 200, 24 CFR Part 570, and other federal, state,
and local requirements.
The Contractor shall coordinate with any separately procured closing, settlement, escrow,
acquisition, or relocation contractors engaged by the City.
Attend coordination meetings, as requested by CDA, to discuss title status, anticipated closing
timelines, outstanding curative issues, and documentation needs.
Provide regular status updates for each assigned property, including title search status, title
defects, payoff requests, curative actions, closing readiness, and issuance of final title policies.
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