27AL2355 Double "T" State Fish and Wildlife Area Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is requesting bids for agricultural farming services on approximately 814.22 acres at Double "T" State Fish and Wildlife Area - Rice Lake in Fulton County, with bids due November 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (in-person at 19721 N US 24, Canton, Illinois 61520, or via WebEx). No set-asides or preferences apply.

The scope spans a five-year lease term from March 1, 2027, through February 28, 2032, on approximately 814.22 acres to be farmed under an IDNR-approved cropping plan. The lessee must implement a six-year rotation alternating corn, soybeans, and cereal rye cover crops across designated fields; maintain 5% of corn unharvested until March 1; prohibit neonicotinoid-treated soybean seed and Dicamba herbicide; comply with soil testing and pH, phosphorus, and potassium standards per the Illinois Agronomy Handbook; and control invasive vegetation. The lessee must personally farm the land without subcontracting, provide all labor and equipment, maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with the State as additional insured, and hold valid state applicator licenses for chemical applications.

Pricing shall be submitted on a per-acre-per-year basis for all 814.22 acres; the award goes to the highest priced responsive and responsible bidder. Payment is guaranteed by cash rent prepayment by March 1st annually or an irrevocable letter of credit. The lessee is liable for all leasehold property taxes due by December 15th annually. A minority contractor initiative fee of $15 applies. Bids must remain firm for 90 days. Domestic product preference applies; bidders must affirmatively declare U.S. manufacturing. Bidders with delinquent leasehold taxes on current IDNR agricultural leases must remedy the debt before award or be deemed non-responsible. The contract may be partially or fully funded with federal funds, with the funding percentage disclosed at award. Illinois Procurement Code preferences and exceptions to Standard Terms and Conditions may be claimed with supporting documentation.