27AL2333 Pyramid State Park - East Conant Unit Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is soliciting bids for agricultural farming services on state-owned property within Pyramid State Park's East Conant Unit under IFB 27AL2333, with bids due October 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., and a mandatory pre-submission conference on October 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Denmark Multipurpose Building in Cutler, Illinois.

The lease encompasses approximately 497.50 to 531.40 acres across 19 field tracts in Perry County and requires a detailed five-year cropping plan (2027–2031) with mandatory cover crop establishment and management on 50–53 percent of leased acres annually, row crop cultivation (corn and soybeans), food plot creation, invasive species control, and standing crop retention for wildlife habitat. Specific requirements prohibit neonicotinoid-treated soybean seeds, Dicamba herbicide, and double cropping; require adherence to atrazine label directions; and mandate 12 rows of unharvested standing crop along field edges. Lessees must maintain soil pH, phosphorus, and potassium levels per the Illinois Agronomy Handbook, provide all labor, machinery, equipment, seed, and fertilizer, obtain prior agency approval for pesticide and herbicide applications, and submit annual yield monitor data. Insurance requirements include $1 million general liability per occurrence with $2 million aggregate, $1 million auto liability per occurrence, and workers' compensation as required by law.

The contract term runs March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2032 with no renewal option. Bidders must submit firm, fixed per-acre pricing for each year, with payment in two installments (one-half by July 15, one-half by December 15). Lessees are responsible for all leasehold property taxes; historical tax liability ranges from $9,167.02 (2021) to $11,534.56 (2024). Annual lease payments must be guaranteed through prepayment or irrevocable letter of credit by March 1 each year. In-kind service offsets (valued at University of Illinois or Iowa State University Extension rates) are permitted up to 10 percent of lease value or $10,000 without approval. Bids are awarded to the highest responsive and responsible bidder; prices must remain firm for 90 days from opening. Bidders must submit Vendor Disclosure or IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, Offer to the State form, standard contract, equipment list, and utilization plans. Questions are due seven days after the pre-submission conference. Bids may be submitted electronically through BidBuy or in paper format to Melanie Dodd, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, Illinois 62702.