26AL2468 Sam Dale Lake S. F. W. A. Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking bids for an agricultural farm lease at Sam Dale Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area in Washington County, covering approximately 101.80 acres of land. The procurement opportunity (26AL2468) is an agricultural lease contract with a five-year term from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031, with potential extension up to ten years. Bidders must submit comprehensive documentation including vendor disclosures, utilization plans, and proof of financial responsibility, with the contract to be awarded to the highest-priced responsive and responsible bidder. The lease requires specific agricultural management practices, including crop rotation between corn and soybeans, adherence to strict environmental guidelines, and prohibition of certain agricultural chemicals like neonicotinoid-treated seeds and Dicamba. A non-mandatory pre-submission conference is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with options to attend in-person at Sam Dale Lake or via phone, and the final bid submission deadline is November 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM through the BidBuy electronic system or via paper submission.

The procurement does not appear to have specific set-aside designations for small, minority, women-owned, or veteran-owned businesses, indicating open competition for all qualified vendors. Potential bidders must have an active and unexpired vendor registration in the Illinois Procurement Gateway and comply with state procurement regulations, including disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and compliance with tax obligations. The lease allows for potential offset of lease payments through acceptable services such as chemical application, field preparation, boundary maintenance, and wildlife habitat improvements. Bidders can potentially participate in conservation programs like the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Fall Covers for Spring Savings Premium Discount Program and USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the contract requires annual lease payments and demonstrates the state's commitment to sustainable agricultural practices that support wildlife populations and recreational opportunities within state habitat areas.