RFP 26-02 - Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

LINCOLN COUNTY
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RFP 26-02 - Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS
Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program
Offer Mail/Deliver to: Nick Morerod, Chief Procurement Officer
Lincoln County Purchasing Department
300 Central Avenue - P.O. Box 711
Carrizozo, New Mexico 88301
Procurement Contact Information: Nick Morerod, CPO
Phone: (575) 648-2385 x 107
Email: purchasing@lincolncountynm.gov
Issued: March 24, 2026
Proposals Due: April 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. MDT
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

Contents
I. SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................... 2
II. CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PROCUREMENT ...................................................................................... 5
A. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ............................................................................................................................... 5
B. EXPLANATION OF EVENTS ........................................................................................................................ 5
C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................................ 8
III. RESPONSE FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................. 13
A. NUMBER OF RESPONSES .......................................................................................................................... 13
B. NUMBER OF COPIES .................................................................................................................................. 13
C. PROPOSAL FORMAT .................................................................................................................................. 13
D. PROPOSAL CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. 13
IV. EVALUATION .................................................................................................................................................... 14
V. FEDERAL FUNDING CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.............................................................21
P R O P O S A L F O R M S
APPENDIX A - LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FORM ........................................................................................... 1
APPENDIX B - CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE FORM ............................................................... 2
APPENDIX C - STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE ................................................................................................. 5
APPENDIX D - PREFERENCE CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................ 6
APPENDIX E - AFFIDAVIT OF NON-COLLUSION ............................................................................................. 7
APPENDIX F - CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT ................................................................................... 8
APPENDIX G - FEDERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................... 9
APPENDIX H - CONTRACTORS STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS...........................................10
APPENDIX I - CERTIFICATION OF OFFEROR/BIDDER REGARDING DEBARMENT .....................11
APPENDIX J - ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT FORM........................................................14
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

I. SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS
A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Lincoln County is hereby seeking formal, sealed proposals from qualified licensed vendors
authorized to do business in the State of New Mexico for County wide residential and
commercial appraisal services, that will comply with NRCS guidelines and New Mexico State
procurement for the County's use during the EWP Buyout Program on an on-call/on-demand
basis in accordance with the specifications contained in this Request for Proposal (RFP).
Submitting a proposal for this Request for Proposal (RFP) implies agreement by the
proposer to these terms.
Federal funding may be used for purchases under this contract. If federal funds are used,
the Contractor is required to comply with federal regulations in addition to local law.
Applicable federal requirements are set forth in this RFP under section V. If federal funds
will not be used, anything in section V. of this RFP is not a requirement. It is the
responsibility of the Contractor to determine if federal funds will be used under any
contract, and the responsibility of the Participating Agency to provide such information
upon request. Performance of work under federal funds is at the discretion of the contractor.
Use by Other Government Agencies: It is the intention of Lincoln County to make any
award made under this solicitation available for use by other government agencies within
the State of New Mexico, if allowed by law and their governing directives. Reference
paragraph III C 28 herein for more detailed information.
The Procurement Code, 13-1-28 through 13-1-199 NMSA 1978, imposes civil,
misdemeanor and felony criminal penalties for its violation. In addition, the New Mexico
criminal statutes impose felony penalties for bribes, gratuities and kick-backs.
B. SCOPE OF WORK
Lincoln County reserves the right to issue one or multiple awards for the requested
services. Multiple awards are anticipated to ensure availability and timely delivery.
Multiple awards are also anticipated to ensure Lincoln County Taxpayers that Lincoln
County is providing the best product for the most efficient overall cost as reasonably
possible.
Lincoln County is seeking qualified, licensed appraisal professionals to provide
independent real property appraisal services for residential, commercial, and vacant
land parcels identified for acquisition under the NRCS Emergency Watershed
Protection (EWP) Buyout Program. Services shall include conducting site inspections,
market analysis, and preparation of credible, defensible appraisal reports that establish
fair market value, including retrospective pre-disaster valuations (pre-2024 events), in
compliance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP),
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

NRCS EWP requirements, and applicable federal acquisition guidelines, see NRCS
specification attached. Appraisals must be suitable for federal funding compliance,
audit review, and support of voluntary property acquisitions, and shall be completed on
an as-needed, task order basis within established timelines. Per New Mexico
Procurement Code Statute 13-1-153 multiple source award; limitations on use and
determination required, Lincoln County has determined that it is necessary to make a
multiple source award to ensure the vendor requirements of responding to emergencies
within a two (2) hour time period can be achieved.
C. CONTRACT TERM
The initial term of this contract shall be for one (1) year, from to 2026-2027. The County
reserves the right to extend this contract, on an annual basis (or any portion thereof) and
by mutual agreement, for up to three (3) additional one-year terms for annual updates.
Under no circumstances will the term of this contract, including any extensions thereto,
exceed three (3) years.
D. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURNCE
The successful offeror shall maintain professional liability insurance covering any error or
omission committee during the term of the contract. The amount shall be $1,000,000.
E. PROCUREMENT MANAGER
Lincoln County has designated a Procurement Manager who is responsible for this
procurement and whose name, address, and telephone number are listed below. Any
inquiries or requests regarding this procurement should be submitted to the Procurement
Manager in writing. Offerors may contact ONLY the Procurement Manager regarding the
procurement. Other County employees do not have the authority to respond on behalf of
Lincoln County. Contacting any other Lincoln County employee, department head or
manager in regard to this RFP may result in disqualification of the potential offeror's
proposal.
Nick Morerod - Chief Procurement Officer
300 Central Ave, Carrizozo, NM 88301
Phone: 575-648-2385 ext. 107
E-mail: nmorerod@lincolncountynm.gov
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

ATTACHMENT A: EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM - BUYOUTS
SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK FOR APPRAISALS OF REAL PROPERTY
A BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. The United States of America, acting through the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is considering providing Financial
Assistance to a qualified Sponsor to purchase hazard-prone properties in impaired watersheds that
remain at-risk from certain imminent threats. The purpose of the Emergency Watershed Protection
Program-Buyout alternative (EWPP-Buyout) is to remove threats to life and property, impede
runoff and prevent soil erosion wherever floods, fire, or any natural occurrence is causing or has
caused a sudden impairment of that watershed. As a condition of program eligibility, once a
property is acquired, Sponsor's must then place a deed restriction limiting the land use types to
certain open space uses that protect life, property, reduce erosion, and optimize hydraulic capacity
in order to mitigate the adverse effects of future events.
2. EWPP-Buyouts require a project Sponsor to hold in fee simple, with no conditions on a seller, and
as such, the project Sponsor is identified as the client for the appraisal. All appraisals completed
for this program must comply with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
(USPAP) and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies for
Federal and Federally Assisted Programs, otherwise referred to as the Uniform Act (42 USC
Chapter 61 4601-4655), as promulgated by 49 CFR 24 (a.k.a. URA).
3. The Sponsor and landowner shall coordinate to ensure the landowner is involved throughout the
appraisal process as required by the URA and provide as much information as necessary to the
appraiser to assure an accurate estimate of just compensation offer (fair market value, FMV) is
made as of the date before the disaster event/current FMV .
4. The appraisal shall be used in the negotiation process between the Sponsor and Landowner in
accordance with the URA. NRCS staff and review appraisers will not personally inspect the
property and may not be familiar with the local area. Therefore, the appraisal report must
thoroughly explain and support the property description, improvements, highest and best use
analysis, market characteristics, adjustment process, adjustments and all conclusions to provide an
adequate understanding of the opinions, and conclusions provided in the appraisal report.
5. The NRCS national appraiser resolves questions that arise from these specifications. Contact a
national appraiser at NRCS.NationalAppraisers@usda.gov.
B APPRAISER QUALIFICATIONS
1. Appraisal reports will only be accepted and approved for use if the appraiser meets all the following
qualifications, and the appraisal report documents these requirements. (Subsequent references to
"appraiser" refer to the contract appraiser meeting all the qualification, experience, and appraisal
reporting requirements).
2. All real property appraisers performing appraisals under EWPP-Buyouts must be state-certified
residential or general real property appraisers in the same state where the subject property is located
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

or obtain a temporary practice permit. The appraiser must decide and inform the client which state
certification (residential or general) is most appropriate for the appraisal assignment.
3. The appraiser must be in good standing with the licensing authority where the credential wasissued. A copy
of the appraiser's state license or permit must be provided before starting work.
4. The appraiser must not have received any disciplinary action within the past 5 years resulting in
suspension or other action taken on the credential.
5. The appraiser must have demonstrated competency in conducting appraisals of single-family
residential property and vacant lands of the requested type.
C IDENTIFICATION OF THE APPRAISAL PROBLEM
1. The client is the Sponsor or the NRCS. The landowner is not a client. "Landowner" is defined as the
current owner or their duly delegated representative.
2. The intended user is the Sponsor, the NRCS, or any other qualified organization that may be
involved in the specific transaction unless otherwise directed by the client.
3. The intended use will be for the Sponsor, the NRCS, or a qualified organization to make purchase
decisions under the program regarding the transaction. The intended use cannot be for any kind of
IRS donation purposes by the owner.
4. The type of value to be developed is market value. Fair market value and market value have the
same meaning for purposes of this assignment.
5. The appraiser shall provide an opinion of fair market value of the property and any appurtenant
structures, before placement of the permanent land use deed restriction on the property as it
existed either before the qualifying disaster event or in its current condition, depending on
instruction by the Sponsor or the NRCS representative.
6. The market value definition stated and used in developing the appraisal must be:
"Market value" means the most probable price that a property should bring in a competitive and
open market under all condition's requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently
and knowledgeably, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus.
Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of
title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby-
* Buyer and seller are typically motivated.
* Both parties are well informed or well advised and acting in what they consider their own
best interests.
* A reasonable time is allowed for exposure to the open market.
* Payment is made in terms of cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements
comparable thereto.
* The price represents the normal considerations for the property sold unaffected by special
or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale."
Note: No other definition of market value is acceptable for USPAP appraisals.
7. Effective date of value. This date of value will be the day before the occurrence of the natural disaster
event, or the current date, as specified by the Sponsor or the NRCS.
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

8. Relevant characteristics of the subject property. The appraiser must complete their own investigation of
all physical, legal, and economic characteristics of the subject property. Property rights to be appraised
must be properly defined and explained. If there any encumbrances they must be clearly stated in the
report and considered in the value. The appraisal report must contain the level of detail, discussion, and
support necessary for the client and intended users to comprehensively understand the rationale for the
opinions and conclusions, including reconciliation of the data and approaches used in
the appraisal. The detail must thoroughly explain and support the property description, highest and best
use analysis, market characteristics, adjustment process and all conclusions so that all review
appraisers, Project Sponsors and NRCS users have an adequate understanding of the statements,
opinions and conclusions in the report.
9. Assignment Conditions. There are no extraordinary assumptions or hypothetical conditions needed to
produce a credible assignment result. The assignment requires the appraiser to often perform a
retrospective or historic value opinion and is required to obtain enough historic data from the owner to
adequately describe the quality and condition of the property and perform the assignment.
D INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE APPRAISER
1. The following information shall be provided to the appraiser (If applicable/available. "*" indicates
required):
a. Aerial photograph of the subject property with the location, boundary, access location, and acres or
square feet of the proposed deed restricted area identified.*
b. Recorded landowner's name, address, and telephone number.*
c. Legal description of subject property including the last vesting deed.*
d. Specific details of any existing easements, reservations or other restrictions that currently
encumber the subject property, if available.
e. Documentation of water rights owned, including name of irrigation company, number of shares or
amount of ownership, and documentation concerning irrigation wells on the property to be
appraised, as provided by the landowner, if applicable.
f. Any environmental due diligence performed by the Sponsor, if available.
g. Copy of preliminary title commitment on the property, if available.
h. A copy of a recorded legal access, evidence that the property is accessible from a public road, or
approved alternative legal access route.*
i. Written permission from the landowner or an authorized representative authorizing the
assigned appraiser to enter the property for appraisal purposes.*
j. If before disaster valuations are used, any photos or evidence to support the prior condition of the
property before the disaster event (if available).
k. Copy of 390-CPM, Part 510-513, Emergency Watershed Protection Program manual.*
l. Appraisal Standard: USPAP*
m. Parcel to be appraised: The parcel to be appraised is only that portion of the property that will be
purchased to place the deed restriction.*
n. Consideration of irrigation rights: Irrigation water rights legally owned and used on the
property to be purchased shall be considered and included in the value, if applicable.
E APPRAISAL REPORT
1. Description of Work Product
The valuation is either based on the current Fair Market Value or the retroactive Fair Market Value
of the property the day before the qualifying disaster event. The appraisals effective date of value
will be specified by the appropriate NRCS state representative for EWP Program-Buyouts on a
project-by-project basis and must be determined before conducting appraisal activities. In
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

accordance with the URA, 49 CFR 24.103 Criteria for appraisals, the appraiser shall disregard any
decrease or increase in the fair market value of the real property caused by the project for which the
property is to be acquired, or by the likelihood that the property would be acquired for the project,
other than that due to physical deterioration within the reasonable control of the owner. (See URA,
Appendix A, 49 CFR 24.103(b).)
Types of property requiring valuation may include:
a. Land with residences or structures: Land (surface rights only) that contains residential
dwellings and other structures that support the residential use of the property.
b. Adjacent Vacant Lands: Lands without structures present that are adjacent to eligible
residential lands may require valuation.
2. The appraisal may require two separate fair market values:
a. The dwelling and improvements, as of the effective date of value; and,
b. The land, and remainder of the property (surface rights only) that will be placed under a deed
restriction.
NOTE: If dwelling is a manufactured home to be removed, purchased and disposed, the appraiser can
appraise this separately from the land. If the land is appraised separately and two values are provided
to the client explain how/why there would be no discount based on market evidence and explain (in
transmittal letter) for the total purchase amount to avoid any violation of USPAP Std Rule 1-4 (e).
3. In general, mineral and other subsurface rights should not be included in the appraised value of the
buyout restricted area. However, if landowner owns subsurface rights where potential on-site mining
activities may occur in the future, and purchase of those rights will still meet EWPP eligibility criteria
(e.g. cost, benefit, feasibility, etc.) then it may be appropriate to include those rights as part of the
appraised value.
4. The appraisal must meet the requirements of the USPAP and these appraisal specifications. The
appraisal report may consist of a form report, a narrative report, or combination of both.
5. An appraisal report, as discussed in USPAP Standards Rule 2-2(a), must be provided. A restricted
appraisal report or a review report that determines a value is not acceptable.
6. The appraisal report must contain the level of detail, discussion, and support necessary for the client
and intended users to comprehensively understand the rationale for the opinions and conclusions,
including reconciliation of the data and approaches used in the appraisal. The detail must thoroughly
explain and support the property description, highest and best use analysis, market characteristics,
adjustment process, and all conclusions so that all review appraisers and NRCS users have an adequate
understanding of the statements, opinions, and conclusions offered within the report.
7. The appraiser must personally inspect the subject property and comparable sales. The appraiser must
talk personally to the property owner or the owner's agent or representative, and the property owner or
the owner's agent or representative given an opportunity to accompany the appraiser during
appraiser's inspection of the property. This must be documented in the report.
8. Reports must attach these instructions and any engagement documents provided to the appraiser by the
client as addenda.
10. The appraiser will contact the client to resolve problems, clarify the assignment, or other issues.
Required Elements for Appraisals Part 1
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

- Introduction
A. Title Page
B. Letter of Transmittal
C. Table of Contents
D. Summary of salient facts, section will follow the table of contents, should be limited to one
page and include at a minimum:
1. Subject property name
2. Address (911 address) and County/Parish/Borough
3. NRCS Program: Emergency Watershed Protection Program-Buyouts
4. Owner's name or other identification of the property
5. Client's name: Project Sponsor's Name
6. Appraisal Standard: USPAP
7. Intended Users
8. Use/Purpose statement
9. Interest Appraised
10. Size (square feet or acres)
11. Property description (and in the case of a partial acquisition under URA, an adequate
description of the remaining property) (Brief)
12. Zoning classification
13. Water rights/mineral rights as applicable
14. Improvements (list structures):
a. As of current date or day before the qualifying disaster event, as directed by NRCS
state EWP Program point of contact.
i. When using day before valuation method, appraiser must value improvements
based on support provided by landowner that demonstrates the improvement's
retroactive condition.
ii. Appraiser shall assume that all appurtenant fixtures, plumbing, heating, built-in
appliances, electrical, ventilation, A/C, and anything permanently attached to the
house (e.g. sinks, faucets, ceiling fans, cabinets, flooring, doors, windows, mantels,
light fixtures, bathtubs, toilets, showers, vanities, countertops, etc.) will remain after
closing and should therefore be considered in the appraised valuation. Note: plug-
in appliances such as refrigerators, electrical stoves, etc. will be considered
personal property and should not be considered in the valuation.
15. Analysis of highest and best use:
16. A minimum 5-year sales history of property
17. Opinion of value:
a. As of current date or day before the qualifying disaster event, as directed by Sponsor
b. Other values, if applicable, due to special instructions:
i. Contributory Value of Residence
ii. Contributory Value of Other Improvements, and
iii. Total Contributory Value of Improvements
18. Effective date of the report
19. Date of report
20. Appraiser(s)
E. Appraiser's Certification.
F. Photographs of the subject property:
1. Provide original color photographs or high-quality color copies of photographs of
the appraised property and any comparable sales used in the report. Photographs
may be on separate pages but must include date taken and by whom. Provide
original color photographs or high-quality color copies of photographs including
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program

interior and exterior improvements. All rooms should be sufficiently captured to
be able to identify finishes and conditions of residence. Provide photos of
outbuildings both interior and exterior. Photographs may be supplemented with
prior landowner photos of interior if using day before the disaster event as your
valuation basis. If using landowner furnished photos, they must be dated.
G. Statement of assumptions and limiting conditions:
1. All appraisal reports submitted to the Sponsor and NRCS for review become the
property of both the United States and Sponsor and may be used for any legal and proper
purpose. Therefore, a condition that limits distribution of the report is not permitted.
Include a statement equal to the following in this section: "I recognize that appraisal
reports submitted to the NRCS for review may be used by NRCS for any legal and proper
purpose."
2. If the appraisal has been made subject to any encumbrances against the property, such as
easements, that must be stated. It is unacceptable to state that the property has been
appraised as if free and clear of all encumbrances, except as stated in the body of the
report; the encumbrances must be identified in this section of the report.
3. The use of an uninstructed, unsupported extraordinary assumption or hypothetical
condition that results in other than "as is" market value will invalidate the appraisal.
Assumptions and limiting conditions that are speculative in nature are inappropriate.
4. Do not include limiting conditions that significantly restrict the application of the
appraisal.
5. A contract appraiser cannot make assumptions or accept an instruction that is
unreasonable or misleading. Client instructions and prior to disaster condition
documentation must be accurate and be included in the appraisal report.
H. Scope of the appraisal:
1. This section must fully describe the extent of investigation and analysis. The scope of
work must be consistent with the intended use of the appraisal.
Part 2 - Factual Data
A. Legal description
B. Area, city, and neighborhood data
C. Property data:
1. Site
2. Improvements including square footage; number of rooms; number of
bedrooms/bathrooms, garage square footage and number of bays; basement square footage
and condition (e.g. finished/unfinished); number of fireplaces and other pertinent amenities;
HVAC type and information; any details/information that impacts the appraiser's valuation
opinion.
3. Fixtures and appurtenances like natural gas connections, water/sewer connections, septic
systems, heating/fuel type, etc.
4. Use history
5. Sales history:
a. For USPAP appraisals include a 5-year record of all sales of the appraised
property and offer to buy or sell if the information is available. If no sale has
occurred in the past 5 years, the appraiser must report the last sale of the
property, irrespective of date.
b. Assessed value and annual tax load.
c. Zoning and other land use regulations. The contract appraiser must identify, in
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RFP 26-02 Professional Appraisal Services for the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Buyout Program