DNR-Banner Marsh SFWA Farm Lease 2377-KM

This state and local contract opportunity is for the farm leasing of approximately 441.5 acres in 2018 and 118.6 acres in 2019 of land at the Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area in Fulton County, Illinois for agricultural purposes. The contract, identified as Lease 2377, will have an initial term of 17 months beginning on March 1, 2018 or upon signature of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director, whichever is later, and shall terminate on July 31, 2019. Pricing for the lease is on a per acre per year basis, with one-half of the annual lease payment due by July 15th and the balance due by December 15th. A mandatory bidder's conference is scheduled for January 30, 2018, and bids are due by February 14, 2018 at 2:00 PM. The IFB does not indicate a small business set-aside, but does allow for additional services to be performed by the lessee in lieu of cash payments, up to 10% of the annual lease value or $10,000.

The contract was awarded to the highest priced bidder, Lee Hood DBA Hood Farms, with a total contract value of $61,336.55 for the 17-month term, which equates to $109.51 per acre. The contract does not have any Business Enterprise Program (BEP) or Veteran Business Program (VBP) utilization requirements. The agency contact for this contract is Melissa Orrill of the Illinois DNR.