300 FW McClellen Farm Lease Willow SloughBid Documents

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is soliciting bids for a four-year farm lease opportunity for approximately 30 acres of farmland located in Warren County, specifically at the McClellan Gamebird Area within Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area. The selected vendor will be responsible for comprehensive farm services, including crop planting and maintenance, with a specific requirement to cultivate sunflowers on approximately 10 acres annually and perform mowing services on approximately 5 acres three times per year. The contract term will run from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029, with the primary objective of managing agricultural products and services to support wildlife habitat. Bidders must submit a completed bid package by January 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, with all quoted prices remaining valid for 30 calendar days after the response due date. Responses can be submitted via email to jreeves@dnr.in.gov or mailed to Jen Reeves at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Evaluation criteria will consider the highest bid amount for farm services, contractor's past performance, and compliance history with IDNR lease agreements. Bidders must submit a minimum annual bid of $4,000 for agricultural products and services.

The solicitation includes specific set-aside provisions and participation goals for minority-owned businesses (8%), women-owned businesses (11%), and veteran-owned small businesses (3%). Vendors must complete the Claiming Purchasing Preferences form and provide documentation for any claimed preferences. All bidders who have not previously completed the online Bidder Registration process through the Indiana Department of Administration must do so prior to award. The contract requires compliance with various state procurement provisions, including drug-free workplace certification, employment eligibility verification, and ethical standards. While a specific incumbent vendor is not mentioned, bidders must demonstrate capability to manage agricultural operations consistent with wildlife habitat management requirements. Although a precise total contract value is not specified, the minimum annual bid of $4,000 suggests a potential four-year contract value of at least $16,000, with the actual value likely higher based on competitive bidding and additional services. Notably, a surety bond is waived for this particular contract, potentially lowering entry barriers for qualified agricultural service providers.