San Mateo Opengov #311092

San Mateo County Solicits Domestic and International Heir-Search Services

San Mateo County is seeking a qualified provider for domestic and international heir-search services for estates handled by its Public Administrator’s Office. - Government buyer - County of San Mateo, Health - Aging and Disability Services - San Mateo County Public Administrator’s Office, supporting matters before the San Mateo County Superior Court Probate Division - Requested services and pricing - Domestic heir searches: identify, locate, and legally verify heirs; provide hourly pricing for the first three contract years. - International heir searches: conduct equivalent research involving foreign records; provide hourly pricing for the first three contract years. - Optional Basic Search: preliminary research of up to three hours, with a written findings summary; price separately for each of the first three years. - Other costs: itemize applicable records fees, international-agent fees, translation or interpretation, and other ancillary or pass-through expenses. - Required research and deliverables - Review case files, assess search feasibility, estimate hours and costs, research databases and public records, interview known relatives or associates, and verify identities and relationships. - Provide notarized affidavits of heirship, certified vital records, a multigenerational family tree tracing maternal and paternal lines, documented negative findings and due diligence, and an evidentiary binder of supporting records. - Provide a final notarized affidavit formatted for California probate filing. International findings require certified English translations and Apostille certifications. - Notable requirements - Initial assessments are generally due within 10 business days after receiving case files; final reports are generally due within 60 business days after a search begins, unless otherwise agreed. - Accept smaller-estate cases when search costs do not exceed $1,000; demonstrate at least four years of relevant forensic or legal heir-search experience; hold a valid business license and California business registration; address California BSIS private-investigator licensing status; and confirm SAM registration. - Maintain confidentiality, encrypt data at rest and in transit, and do not use confidential estate information to solicit heirs. Investigators or genealogists must be available for expert-witness testimony. - Providers and products - No specific contractor, OEM, or product brand is named in the opportunity; the procurement is for professional research services.

Description

The County of San Mateo is seeking proposals for domestic and international kinship research services assigned by the San Mateo County Public Administrator. The contractor will identify, locate, and legally verify entitlement-holding heirs-at-law for decedents under the jurisdiction of the San Mateo County Superior Court Probate Division. Work includes reviewing case files, researching public records and other sources, interviewing known contacts, verifying identities and relationships, and delivering detailed findings with supporting documentation. Deliverables include court-ready affidavits and records, multigenerational family trees, and documented negative findings; the agreement term is three years with an option to extend for up to two additional years.

View original listing