27AL2563 Rock Cut State Park Farm Lease

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for agricultural farming services on approximately 138.10 acres of state-owned property within Rock Cut State Park, Winnebago County, under IFB 27AL2563, with bids due October 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and a mandatory pre-bid conference on October 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the park site (7318 Harlem Rd, Loves Park) or via WebEx.

The lease comprises two fields — 586-4 (88.10 acres) and 7233-1 (50.00 acres) — with a five-year term beginning March 1, 2027, and terminating February 28, 2032. The contract is firm-priced and not subject to renewal; no renewal option is permitted and the lease cannot be extended beyond ten years total. The lessee must provide all labor, machinery, seed, fertilizer, and equipment necessary for farming operations and must personally farm the lands without assignment, subcontracting, or subleasing except for cover crop planting and termination or hay baling. Pricing must be submitted on a per-acre basis for each year, with award based on the total contract value across all five years. The State will award to the responsive and responsible bidder submitting the highest price meeting specified criteria.

Field 586-4 requires a soybean/cover crop and corn/cover crop rotation pattern; field 7233-1 follows a standard soybean and corn rotation. Management restrictions include prohibitions on double cropping, neonicotinoid-treated seeds, and Dicamba herbicides (grounds for immediate termination). Soil pH must be maintained at 6.0–6.5, with specified phosphorus and potassium targets. Soil testing results from January 2023 show pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.7 across sampled areas. The 2025 leasehold taxes are $5,673.08 annually; the lessee is responsible for all leasehold property taxes with paid receipts due December 15 each year. The lessee must provide an irrevocable letter of credit covering 2027 cash rent and estimated real estate taxes or prepay annually by March 1. General Commercial Liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate, Auto Liability of $1 million, and Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by law are mandatory. 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 contract awarded for $1,000 or more.