26AL2562 Fox Creek S. F. W. A. Farm Lease SOLE SOURCE

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is pursuing a sole source agricultural lease for approximately 46.14 acres at Fox Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, specifically identified as Ag Lease 2562. The lease will be awarded to Cole Bailey of Bailey Family Farm, located in Wayne County, Township 2 North, Range 9 East, Section 26. The procurement is structured as a term contract running from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031, with no potential renewals specified. A public hearing may be canceled unless interested parties submit written comments or request a hearing by October 20, 2025, at 4 p.m. The primary objectives of this lease include supporting wildlife populations, improving water quality, reducing chemical impacts, and generating income for the state. The lease is being procured through a sole source method due to its size being under 50 acres and negotiated in accordance with Administrative Code.

The contract appears to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational respondents. The sole source justification emphasizes that local farming is the most cost-effective approach, with IDNR noting that alternative procurement methods would increase site management expenses by approximately $8,305.20 annually. The total contract value is $180,216.85, with an estimated $138,690.85 going to the vendor and $41,526.00 accruing to the state. This is classified as a revenue-generating contract funded through unspecified "Other" sources. The procurement is specifically for Cole Bailey - Bailey Family Farm, with no indication of multiple potential vendors or competitive bidding. The lease is designed to generate agricultural revenue while simultaneously supporting environmental and wildlife conservation goals within the Fox Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area.