24AL2472 Burning Star 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 Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area in Jackson County, Illinois. The contract, identified as 24AL2472 Burning Star S.F.W.A. Farm Lease, requires the selected vendor to follow a detailed 4-year cropping plan that includes the planting of specific crops, cover crops, and leaving unharvested rows for wildlife. The vendor must adhere to strict soil management guidelines, maintain equipment lists, and follow procedures for chemical and fertilizer applications. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for October 31, 2023, and bids are due by November 15, 2023. The initial contract term is from March 1, 2024, or upon signature of the IDNR Director, whichever is later, through February 29, 2028, with no renewal options.

The IFB indicates there are no small business, minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned business set-asides for this opportunity. The contract was previously awarded to Funk's Farms LLC for a 4-year term at $126.51 per acre per year, or a total of $93,414.98. There were no unsuccessful bidders for this revenue-generating contract. The estimated gross revenue to the vendor for the full 10-year term is $620,854.10.