24AL2397 Union County S. F. W. A. Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for agricultural farming services on state-owned property located within the Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area. The initial term of the contract will be from March 1, 2024, or upon signature of the IDNR Director, to February 29, 2028, with no option to renew beyond the 10-year maximum term allowed by state law. Bids are due by December 6, 2023, and a non-mandatory pre-submission conference will be held on November 9, 2023. The winning bidder will be required to provide all labor, machinery, tools, seed, fertilizer, and insurance necessary to operate the farm lease. Acceptable services such as projects exceeding 10% of the contract value or $10,000 will be deducted from the lease payment. Lease payments must be guaranteed either by full prepayment or an irrevocable letter of credit. The contract is a firm, fixed-price based on a per acre per year rate.

There is no small business, minority, women, or veteran set-aside for this opportunity. The contract will be partially or fully funded with state funds. The incumbent contractor is Mike Kash DBA Kash Family Farms, who was awarded the 4-year contract in 2023 for a total of $149,862.99. The estimated gross revenue to the vendor over the potential 4-year initial term and 3 optional renewal terms is $875,200.28.