Public Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 12
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
March 17, 2026
TOPIC: Award Agreements for On-Call Real Estate Title and Escrow Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreements with Commonwealth Land Title Company and Chicago Title Company for On-Call Real Estate Title and Escrow Services (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Award and authorize the City Manager to execute agreements with Chicago Title Company and Commonwealth Land Title Company to provide on-call real estate title and escrow services for the term beginning March 17, 2026 and expiring March 16, 2027 for a total amount of $60,000, with provisions for four, one-year renewals, in a total aggregate amount not-to-exceed $300,000 (Core Agreement No. A-2026-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The Public Works Agency (PWA) is responsible for delivering all capital improvement projects in the City including roadway corridor widening and construction of new parks.
Many of these public improvements require real estate, title, and escrow services to conduct title searches and property acquisitions. The current agreements for on-call real estate and title services expired on March 1, 2026.
Staff recommends entering into new agreements for on-call real estate and title services and released an RFP for said services with a scope of work that includes providing the City with real estate title, escrow, preliminary title reports, litigation guarantees, title insurance coverage assistance, and purchase agreement review services.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-145 (Exhibit 1) was advertised on December 10, 2025 on the City’s online bid management and publication system, PlanetBids. A summary of vendor participation and results is as follows:
2,595 Vendors notified
134 Santa Ana vendors notified
12 Vendors downloaded the bid packet
2 Bids received
Public Works On-Call Real Estate Title and Escrow Services March 17, 2026
5 6
3 5
0 Bid received from Santa Ana vendor
Proposals were solicited, opened on January 21, 2026, and evaluated. Two proposals were submitted by the RFP deadline and both proposals were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City’s requirements. Both proposals were received and evaluated by a selection committee. Based on criteria outlined in the RFP, the following summarizes the top responding firms:
Firm City Ranking
Chicago Title Company Los Angeles 1
Commonwealth Land Title Company Irvine 2
The proposals by Commonwealth Land Title Company and Chicago Title Company demonstrate the firms have the necessary labor capacity to complete the requested services to meet expedited grant-driven deadlines. The firms' rates are reasonable and within industry standard, the team qualifications are appropriate for this project, and the proposals were found to provide the best value for the City.
Staff recommends awarding agreements to Chicago Title Company and Commonwealth Land Title Company (Exhibits 2 and 3) to provide on-call real estate title and escrow services based upon the scope of work and selection criteria outlined in RFP 25-145.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current fiscal year funding is available in the FY 25-26 budget and future fiscal year funding will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration.
Prior to utilizing any on-call services, the Public Works Agency (PWA) must submit a Notice to Proceed request. The Finance and Management Services Agency (FMSA) will verify the authorization and aggregate limits of the contracts and ensure that funds are available and properly encumbered. Once approved, PWA will issue a Notice to Proceed to the vendor detailing the specific scope of work and the maximum expenditure for the task.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
(Project No.)
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit
- Account
No. Description
Amount
2025-26 03217662-66220
(26-6900)
Measure M-
Street
Constructions
Measure M2
Local Fairshare
St, Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$45,000
Public Works On-Call Real Estate Title and Escrow Services March 17, 2026
5 6
3 5
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
(Project No.)
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit
- Account
No. Description
Amount
2025-26 01118810-62300 General Fund
Economic
Development
Service
Enhancement,
Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2025-26 41818833-66200
(24-9002)
CDA Capital
Projects
Modernization of
SA Civic Center,
Buildings &
Building
Improvements
$5,000
Year One Total: $60,000
Optional Four, 1-year Extensions
2026-27 03217662-66220 Measure M-
Street
Constructions
Measure M2
Local Fairshare
St, Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$40,000
2026-27 01118810-62300 General Fund
Economic
Development
Service
Enhancement,
Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2026-27 60718810-62300 Housing Asset
LMIHF
Housing Asset
Admin, Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2027-28 03217662-66220 Measure M-
Street
Constructions
Measure M2
Local Fairshare
St, Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$40,000
2027-28 01118810-62300 General Fund
Economic
Development
Service
Enhancement,
Contract
$10,000
Public Works On-Call Real Estate Title and Escrow Services March 17, 2026
5 6
3 5
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit -
Account No.
(Project No.)
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit
- Account
No. Description
Amount
Services-
Professional
2027-28 60718810-62300 Housing Asset
LMIHF
Housing Asset
Admin, Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2028-29 03217662-66220 Measure M-
Street
Constructions
Measure M2
Local Fairshare
St, Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$40,000
2028-29 01118810-62300 General Fund
Economic
Development
Service
Enhancement,
Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2028-29 60718810-62300 Housing Asset
LMIHF
Housing Asset
Admin, Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2029-30 03217662-66220 Measure M-
Street
Constructions
Measure M2
Local Fairshare
St, Improvements
Other Than
Buildings
$40,000
2029-30 01118810-62300 General Fund
Economic
Development
Service
Enhancement,
Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
2029-30 60718810-62300 Housing Asset
LMIHF
Housing Asset
Admin, Contract
Services-
Professional
$10,000
Total $300,000
Public Works On-Call Real Estate Title and Escrow Services March 17, 2026
5 6
3 5
The amounts above are estimates only and are subject to change. The accounting units may also change, pending fees that may be paid from other programs and projects.
However, the maximum aggregate amount of the expenditures will not exceed $300,000 over the term of the agreements, including all extension periods.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. RFP No. 25-145
2. Agreement with Chicago Title Company
3. Agreement with Commonwealth Land Title
Submitted By: Rodolfo Rosas, P.E., Acting Executive Director of Public Works Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager