25AL2193 Johnson Sauk Trail S. P. - Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking agricultural farm lease bids for approximately 95 to 92.8 acres of farmland at Johnson Sauk Trail State Park, located in Henry County. The lease will cover a five-year term from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2030, with requirements for comprehensive agricultural management including soil testing, weed and pest control, cover crop implementation, and detailed documentation of chemical and fertilizer applications. Bidders must submit pricing on a per-acre, per-year basis, with the contract to be awarded to the highest responsive bidder meeting all stated requirements. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for December 9, 2024, at 10 AM CST via Webex, and final bids are due by December 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Vendors are expected to provide financial and client references, demonstrate agricultural expertise, and comply with potential federal funding requirements.

The contract appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, and the solicitation is open to qualified agricultural vendors who can meet the technical and administrative requirements. Potential bidders must complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms, including the IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure and Vendor Disclosures forms, which require detailed information about business operations, potential conflicts of interest, and compliance with state regulations. While the exact budget range is not explicitly stated, the lease involves agricultural services with a potential total contract value determined by the highest per-acre bid. The 2023 property tax for the farm lease was $3,305.16, which provides some context for the financial considerations. Vendors must also provide a certificate of liability insurance and be prepared to potentially integrate with existing state park infrastructure and wildlife conservation objectives, including leaving designated areas unharvested for wildlife habitat.