27AL2192 Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for agricultural farming services on state-owned property near Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass and Mason Counties, with bids due November 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and a mandatory pre-bid conference on October 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (in-person at 3594 CR 200 N, Chandlerville, IL, or via WebEx).

The lease encompasses 338.43 acres across multiple crop fields. The lease term runs from March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2032 with no renewal options. The lessee must farm corn and maintain conservation-focused agricultural practices, including mandatory cover crop planting on designated fields, soil testing protocols, and integrated pest management. Neonicotinoids and Dicamba are prohibited. The lessee must leave 120 rows of standing corn in field 16768-6 unharvested annually for wildlife until after March 1st and control all weeds and pests per agency approval. No fall tillage is permitted without prior approval from the Site Superintendent and District Wildlife Biologist. The lessee must comply with all federal and state regulations, maintain proof of paid property taxes by December 15 annually, and control cockleburs in flooded fields before seed maturation.

Pricing is submitted on a per-acre basis for each contract year (2027–2031), with award based on the total sum of all five years. The contract price is firm. The lessee must guarantee annual lease payment through either prepayment by March 1 or an irrevocable letter of credit; failure results in immediate termination. Payment is split between July 15 (one-half) and December 15 (balance). The lessee bears all leasehold property taxes, which the tax summary indicates averaged $10,337–$12,575 annually across the leasehold in 2023–2025.

The lessee must carry general commercial liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence), auto liability ($1,000,000), and workers' compensation insurance as required by law. The IDNR must be listed as an additional insured. Subcontracting is not permitted except for cover crop planting and termination and bailing of hay or straw. The lessee may offset cash rent through in-kind services (such as equipment application, road maintenance, culvert installation, or drainage repairs) valued at University of Illinois or Iowa State University Extension rates and approved by agency staff.

Questions are due seven days after the pre-bid conference. Bids must remain firm for 90 days from opening. A $15 administrative fee applies to any awarded contract valued at $1,000 or more. The contract is contingent on appropriation by the Illinois General Assembly, and the State reserves the right to terminate for convenience with thirty days' notice. Illinois Business Preferences and Veterans Small Business Program Utilization Plans may be claimed. Bidders must submit Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure forms.