Cropland Production on Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, through the Kansas Department of Administration Office of Procurement and Contracts, is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for cropland production activities on the Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area located in Pottawatomie County. The procurement encompasses approximately 569.3 acres of crop production across two separate tracts: Tract 1 (Spring Creek) consisting of 388.6 acres with 12 fields west of Spring Creek Road near Olsburg, Kansas, and Tract 2 (Olsburg) consisting of 180.7 acres with 12 fields near Big Cleburne Road and Plum Hollow Road. Bidders may submit proposals for one tract, multiple tracts, or all tracts combined. The contract period extends from the date of execution through December 31, 2026, with three optional three-year renewal periods available, permitting a maximum contract term of approximately ten years. The primary deliverables include production of corn and soybeans with potential for wheat or other small grains, mandatory annual planting of milo at locations designated by the manager, and implementation of cover crops covering a minimum of 20 percent of planted acres annually with preference for soybean field selection. Additional requirements include prohibitions on fall tillage, restrictions on spring field work before March 1st, maintenance of standing row requirements on field borders, use of only approved pesticides, and noxious weed control compliance. Bidders must submit written questions by February 25, 2026, with the bid closing date of March 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST, followed by a public bid opening via teleconference at 2:30 PM CST. Award determination will be based on competitive bid for the highest annual cash rent on a per-acre basis, with pricing to remain firm for the entire contract period and any renewals, with rental payments structured as 50 percent due by April 1st and the remaining 50 percent due by December 1st each year.

Bidders claiming Disabled Veteran Owned Business or Certified Business status may apply applicable bidder preferences with appropriate supporting documentation. All bidders must submit completed registrations, signed transmittal letters, current Tax Clearance Certificates from the Kansas Department of Revenue, certifications regarding immigration reform and control, sexual harassment policy acknowledgments, and cost sheets with references prior to bid submission. Electronic payment via funds transfer is required, with payment due within 30 days of receipt of goods or services. The State of Kansas reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive minor deviations from specifications, and pricing is available to political subdivisions under the same contract conditions, though the State assumes no responsibility for payments owed by political subdivisions. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information has been identified in the available procurement documents. The specific award value or budget range has not been disclosed in the invitation materials; however, awards will be determined solely by the highest annual cash rent bid on a per-acre basis across the 569.3 acres of available cropland.