300 FW Wilbur Wright FWA 4-year Tenant Farm LeaseBid Documents

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is soliciting bids on a 4-year tenant farm lease at Wilbur Wright Fish and Wildlife Area in Marion County, with responses due September 30, 2026 (RFQ# 003000000088930).

The lease grants the tenant the right to farm designated fields for agricultural purposes—sowing, cultivating, and harvesting crops—over a four-year term from 2027 through 2030. The tenant bears responsibility for all farming operations, seed, fertilizer, herbicides, labor, materials, equipment, and associated expenses. The leased premises are delineated on a field map identifying structures available for tenant use, habitat areas designated to remain undisturbed, and fallow fields. The tenant must leave a specified percentage of crops unharvested in the field for wildlife management purposes as determined by the landlord prior to harvest, and crop substitutions require prior written landlord approval. Prohibited practices include federally registered restricted-use herbicides and pesticides, neonicotinoid seed treatments (except corn in the first year), fall plowing, and disturbance of identified habitat areas. The tenant must maintain comprehensive general public liability insurance with minimum limits of $700,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence, plus automobile liability insurance naming the landlord as an additional insured. The tenant bears all property taxes assessed during the lease term and must provide proof of payment upon request.

The minimum bid amount for the entire 2027–2030 contract period is $10,800, with annual payments required according to a rent payment schedule. A percentage of annual rent is due at bid submission via certified check, cashier's check, or money order. The highest and best bid will be selected. All quoted prices must remain valid for 30 calendar days after the response due date. The landlord may terminate for convenience with 90 days' prior notice, or immediately for default including failure to plant and cultivate crops, failure to make timely payments, or violation of use restrictions. Questions must be submitted to Angela Settles at ASettles1@dnr.in.gov at least seven days prior to the due date. Bids must be emailed to Angela Settles or faxed to 317-972-3275.