27AL2004 Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for agricultural farming services on approximately 721.39 acres of state-owned property within Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park across Jefferson and Franklin counties under IFB 27AL2004, with bids due November 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM and a mandatory pre-bid conference on October 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

The scope encompasses a five-year crop rotation (March 1, 2027, through February 28, 2032) with acreage varying annually from 526.12 to 583.99 acres, requiring specific management of corn, soybeans, milo, wheat, hay, and cover crops. The lessee must comply with strict agronomic and environmental standards: prohibition of neonicotinoid-treated seed and Dicamba; mandatory Atrazine label compliance; planting of approved cover crop species on designated fields (220.44 acres in 2027, increasing to 273.11 acres in subsequent years); leaving 15 percent of milo and corn fields in standing strips for wildlife; harvesting all crops by seven days before the second Saturday of November; and winter wheat seeding by November 1 with minimum 10-inch stubble. Soil phosphorus and potassium levels must meet specified minimums. The lessee may offset cash rent through acceptable services—chemical and fertilizer application, field preparation, planting, timber stand improvement, wetland development, and equipment operation—priced at University of Illinois rates, with projects exceeding 10 percent of lease value or $10,000 requiring prior agency approval.

Pricing is submitted per-acre annually. The lessee must guarantee annual lease payments through full prepayment by March 1 or an irrevocable letter of credit, and is responsible for all leasehold property taxes (historically approximately $5,400–$5,500 annually). General commercial liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate is required, plus auto liability and workers' compensation. Vendors must submit Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, an Offer to the State of Illinois, equipment list, and applicable business enterprise or veteran small business utilization plans. Bidders currently liable for leasehold taxes on IDNR agricultural leases must provide proof of paid taxes or non-delinquency. Award is made to the highest priced responsive and responsible bidder. The pre-bid conference may be attended in person at Mt. Vernon Game Propagation Center or via WebEx. Bids must remain firm for 90 days from opening.