300 FW Pigeon River Farm Tenant Unit VBid Documents

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a qualified farmer to lease and operate approximately 101.80 acres of agricultural land at the Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area located in LaGrange and Steuben Counties, specifically designated as Unit V. The four-year tenant farm contract will commence on January 15, 2026, and requires specific agricultural management practices, including a crop rotation of corn, beans, hay, and idle fields across 21 individual field parcels. Key service requirements include leaving 10% of crops (approximately 4 rows) unharvested in each field annually for wildlife management purposes and planting cover crops (cereal rye at 75 pounds per acre) in consecutively farmed fields. The solicitation requires bidders to complete Exhibit D (Farm Land Bid Sheet) with total annual and four-year contract bid amounts, with the state awarding the contract to the highest bidder. Responses are due on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST, and can be submitted via mail or email to Nicholas Ramsey at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Indianapolis. Quoted prices must remain valid for thirty calendar days after the response due date and be inclusive of all applicable charges.

The procurement includes diversity goals requiring 8% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation, 11% Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation, and 3% Indiana Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (IVOSB) participation if applicable. Bidders must submit bid security ranging from 10% to 100% of the total bid amount in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, cash, or money order. Additional mandatory requirements include completing certification forms for drug-free workplace, employment eligibility verification through E-Verify, and compliance with ethics obligations under Indiana Code. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, bidders will submit their proposed annual and total lease amounts, with the expectation that higher bids will be more competitive. The contract may be renewed by mutual consent, though the total term including renewals cannot exceed four years. Successful bidders must also provide comprehensive general liability insurance and comply with specific agricultural management guidelines detailed in Exhibits B and C of the solicitation documents.