25AL2036 Kaskaskia River S. F. W. A. - Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking bids for an agricultural farm lease for approximately 151.20 acres of land within the Kaskaskia River State Fish & Wildlife Area. The contract will run from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2030, with no renewal options. Successful bidders will be responsible for all farming activities, including providing equipment, labor, and supplies, while maintaining soil fertility and implementing integrated pest management practices. The lease requires a corn and soybean crop rotation with specific restrictions on chemical usage and harvest timing to support wildlife management objectives. Prospective bidders must attend a non-mandatory pre-bid conference scheduled for November 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM (CST) via Webex, with final bids due by December 18, 2024. Bidders will need to submit pricing on a per-acre, per-year basis and provide a reference letter from a financial institution demonstrating their financial capability to perform the contract.

The contract is not subject to small business, minority, women, or veteran-owned business set-asides. A previous Notice of Award indicates that B & D Farms was the successful bidder in a similar contract, with a total award amount of $122,472.00 and estimated gross revenue of $458,728.54. Payment terms require the successful bidder to pay one-half of the annual rent by July 15th and the remaining balance by December 15th each year. Vendors must complete mandatory vendor disclosure forms, including the IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure and Vendor Disclosures form, which require certification of authorization to conduct business in Illinois and compliance with state procurement laws. Additional services beyond normal farming operations may be negotiated and potentially deducted from the lease payment if approved by IDNR. The lease includes provisions for termination in cases of non-payment of rent, taxes, or failure to comply with reporting requirements.