AREAWIDE MARKET ANALYSIS - NRCS IL

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides the Illinois FY2026 ACEP-WRE & EWPP-FPE Compensation Rates. It outlines the compensation rates for agricultural land enrolled in these conservation programs for the fiscal year 2026.

• Regions: The document divides Illinois into three regions for compensation rates: Chicago Metro Area, Central Corn Belt Plains, and Interior River Valleys and Hills.
• Compensation Rates: For each region, it details:
  • Appraisal Not to Exceed (NTE) value per acre.
  • Minimum and Maximum Cropland Acres.
  • Non-Cropland Not to Exceed (NTE) value per acre.
  • Minimum and Maximum Non-Cropland Acres.
  • GARC (Grassland Reserve Program) compensation rate as a percentage (95% in all listed regions).
• Notes:
  • Properties with less than 10 acres or those outside defined GARC land use definitions will require an appraisal.
  • The GARC rate in the region where the property is located will be the Not to Exceed (NTE) rate.
  • The conservation easement value will be the lower of: fair market value, geographic rate cap, or landowner offer.
  • GARC is 75% for 30-year easements.

This document is crucial for potential bidders interested in the ACEP-WRE and EWPP-FPE programs in Illinois. It provides the specific compensation rates and regional breakdowns that will inform their decisions regarding land enrollment and potential easement values. Bidders must understand these rates to prepare accurate proposals and assess the financial aspects of conservation easement offers.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for Area Wide Market Analysis (AWMA) services for the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Illinois. The services include an initial AWMA for the base year and subsequent annual recertifications or amendments for option years. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Area Wide Market Analysis (AWMA)

• 2027 Annual Recertifications

• 2027 AWMA Amendments (used as an option if required)

• Quoters must ensure their total price includes all costs.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year and four (4) one-year option periods, totaling up to five (5) years.

• Base Year: June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027

• Option Year One: June 1, 2027 - May 31, 2028

• Option Year Two: June 1, 2028 - May 31, 2029

• Option Year Three: June 1, 2029 - May 31, 2030

• Option Year Four: June 1, 2030 - May 31, 2031

• Delivery: F.O.B. destination.

• Submission Deadline: Monday, May 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time.

• Submission Method: Email to paige.appelt@usda.gov and Kristina.baker@usda.gov, including solicitation name and number in the subject line.

• Offer Acceptance Period: 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest price technically acceptable. Award will be made to the offeror demonstrating minimum technical requirements and then offering the lowest price.

• Technical Acceptability: Assessed via a Technical Narrative (max 5 pages) demonstrating experience, plans for execution, and past performance. References are required.

• Pricing: Must be realistic; unrealistically low or high pricing may indicate a lack of understanding.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Small business size standard: $9.5M.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov to be eligible for award.

• This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference; full text available at www.acquisition.gov.

• Service Contract Labor Standards may apply. Offerors must request additional wage determinations if needed at least two days before solicitation close.

• Attachments referenced include SOW and Wage Rate Determination.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT" issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contract work subject to the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic area (Illinois Counties of Champaign, Ford, Piatt).

• Lists specific occupational codes and titles.
• Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing.
• Includes notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Details requirements for vacation and holidays.
• Outlines the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (Conformance Process).

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing the contract. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these determined rates to comply with the Service Contract Act. Failure to comply can lead to penalties. The listed rates will directly impact the cost proposal and overall bid competitiveness.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines the specifications for an Areawide Market Analysis (AWMA) for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP-WRE). The primary goal is to determine the fair market value (FMV) of land for various land use types within specific market areas identified by the NRCS.

• Conduct market analyses to determine the FMV of land for ACEP-WRE enrolled areas.

• Provide FMVs on a per-acre basis for each identified market area and land use type.

• Deliverables include written and digital products, meeting participation, and attendance at training sessions.

• The analysis must be conducted in compliance with USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice).

• AWMA reports must be clear, accurate, and complete, meeting NRCS's intent to determine FMV.

• Comparable sales must be recent (within 24 months, unless otherwise approved) and represent the land uses typically enrolled in ACEP-WRE.

• A minimum of 10 sales representing each land use in each market area must be analyzed.

• Improvements (homes, sheds, fences, etc.) are not to be included in the valuation.

• The contract will cover an initial fiscal year and subsequent annual recertifications or amendments for up to four additional years.

• Fiscal years run from October 1st to September 30th.

• Market areas will be specified by NRCS.

• Vendors must be State-certified general real property appraisers or obtain a temporary permit.

• Vendors must be in good standing with licensing authorities and demonstrate competency in USPAP for rural and agricultural property market analyses.

• Conflict of interest provisions apply.

• Nondisclosure of sensitive information is required.

• The vendor must provide latitude/longitude coordinates or a GIS shapefile/polygon for comparable sales locations.

• Quotation selection will be based on best value, considering technical capability, past performance, and pricing.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Exhibit 2, outlines the proposed Illinois Geographic Rate Areas for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP-WRE) for Fiscal Year 2027. It details the methodology for establishing Geographical Area Rate Caps (GARC's) which are used as a least-cost option for easement acquisition.

• Background: Explains the ACEP-WRE program and the role of GARC's.
• Options for Geographic Rate Areas: Describes the two eco-regional boundaries (Central Corn Belt Plains and Interior River Valleys and Hills) and a third area designated around the Chicago metropolitan region, used to determine rate caps.
• Land Use Definitions: Defines 'Cropland' and 'Non-cropland' for the purpose of the analysis.

This document is relevant for potential bidders by defining the geographic areas and land use classifications that will be considered for easement acquisition under the ACEP-WRE program. Understanding these definitions and areas is crucial for assessing the potential value and scope of easements offered.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for Area Wide Market Analysis Services for the USDA-NRCS Illinois Field Office. The acquisition is set aside for Small Businesses.

• The primary service required is Area Wide Market Analysis.

• Specific deliverables include FY27 AWMA Report, Annual Recertifications, and AWMA Amendments.

• The service falls under Product/Service Code R402, described as SUPPORT-PROFESSIONAL: REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE.

• The solicitation is for a Firm-Fixed Price Quote.

• The period of performance spans multiple years, with specific option line items extending through 05/31/2031.

• Offerors are to complete blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, and 30.

• The offer due date is 05/11/2026 at 1300 CT.

• Key FAR clauses (52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-5) are incorporated by reference.

• This acquisition is set aside exclusively for Small Businesses.

• Attachments include: Part 12 Combined Synopsis-Solicitation, SOW, and Service Wage Determination.

• Invoicing will be processed through the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).