26AL2013 Rend Lake S. F. W. A. Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking agricultural farming services for state-owned property within the Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Jefferson County. The procurement opportunity (26AL2013) is a farm lease solicitation for 98.90 acres in 2026 and 96.40 acres in 2027, with a contract term from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2028. The primary objectives include supporting wildlife populations, promoting ecologically sound agricultural practices, improving soil health, minimizing erosion, and reducing chemical impacts on wildlife habitats. Key deliverables require the successful bidder to manage all farming operations, including providing labor, machinery, seed, and fertilizer, while adhering to specific environmental requirements such as using fluency agents for seed planting, avoiding neonicotinoid and Dicamba products, and potentially planting cover crops on 50% of leased acres. The bid submission deadline is November 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with a non-mandatory pre-submission conference scheduled for October 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Morrison-Rockwood State Park. Evaluation criteria will focus on the highest-priced responsive and responsible bidder, with submissions accepted electronically through BidBuy or via paper submission to the IDNR headquarters in Springfield.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the document suggests compliance with Illinois procurement regulations that may include minority contractor initiatives. Bidders must complete various disclosures, including vendor disclosures, Illinois Standard Certifications, and documentation related to business operations. The procurement may offer potential tax credits for bidders who hire qualified veterans and certain ex-offenders. While no incumbent vendor is specified, the lease requires detailed documentation including soil testing, chemical and seed application documentation, and potential additional services that can be credited against the lease payment. The total contract value will be determined by the per-acre pricing submitted by the vendor, with the award based on the total sum of all contract years. Bidders must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance with commercial general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate limit, and comply with various state procurement requirements including business enterprise program documentation and vendor disclosures.