27AL2034 Pere Marquette State Park Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is requesting bids for agricultural farming services on 86.50 acres of state-owned property at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County under IFB 27AL2034, with bids due October 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled October 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the park visitor center; attendance is required for bidder qualification.

The scope encompasses active farming operations across a five-year lease term (March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2032) under a specified cropping rotation including corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat, with designated cover crops for wildlife habitat and soil health. The lessee must comply with soil fertility standards per the University of Illinois Agronomy Handbook, maintain compliance with a detailed cropping schedule (corn planted by June 1 with October 15 harvest completion; soybeans by June 15), and provide chemical and yield monitor documentation. The lease prohibits neonicotinoid-treated soybean seed, Dicamba herbicides, and double cropping. The lessee bears responsibility for all farm operations—labor, machinery, equipment, seed, fertilizer, and insurance—and may satisfy a portion of rental obligations through in-kind services (chemical application, land clearing, field preparation, drainage repair, timber management) valued at University of Illinois or Iowa State University Extension custom farming rates, subject to prior approval.

Pricing is submitted on a per-acre-per-year basis for 86.50 acres. The award is made to the highest-priced responsive and responsible bidder. The lessee must secure annual lease payments by prepaying within thirty days of contract execution and prior to March 1 annually, or by providing an irrevocable letter of credit (half due by July 15, balance by December 15). The lessee is responsible for all leasehold taxes, with paid receipts due by December 15 annually. Historical annual leasehold taxes range from $1,443 to $2,076. General Commercial Liability of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate, Auto Liability of $1 million per occurrence, and Workers' Compensation insurance as required by law are mandatory, with the State named as additionally insured. No subcontracting is permitted except for cover crop planting and termination and hay bailing. Bids remain firm for 90 days from opening. A $15 administrative fee applies to awards of $1,000 or more. The contract is non-renewable and includes partial or complete federal funding with terms to be disclosed upon award notice.

Bidders currently liable for taxes on existing IDNR agricultural leases must provide documentation of paid taxes or non-delinquency; tax debt must be remedied prior to award. All required vendor disclosures (either Illinois Procurement Gateway Active Registered Vendor Disclosure or standard Vendor Disclosure Forms A–7), the Offer to the State of Illinois, the Contract, Attachment G Equipment List, and applicable Business Enterprise Program or Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plans must accompany the submission. Melanie Dodd is the information contact (Melanie.N.Dodd@Illinois.gov, 217/524-1308).