DNR- Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area Farm Lease 2012

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking bids for the farm leasing of approximately 212.8 acres in 2018, 208.2 acres in 2019, and 212.8 acres in 2020 of land at the Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area in Knox County, Illinois for agricultural purposes. The lease requires the lessee to comply with various cropping and management requirements, including planting winter wheat, leaving 5% of each crop field standing, mowing 25 acres annually, and planting sunflowers and milo in specified locations. The lessee will be allowed to deduct $122.50 per hour for time spent mowing the required 25 acres. Non-adherence to the cropping plan may result in termination of the lease. The contract term is for 35 months starting in 2018, with no renewal options mentioned. Bids were due on March 8, 2018.

The procurement was conducted through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) process, and no set-asides for Business Enterprise Program or Veteran Business Program participation were included. The contract was awarded to the highest priced responsive and responsible bidder, Roger Rollins, for a total estimated financial return to the state of $171,759.80 over the life of the contract, which equates to $271.00 per acre. Two unsuccessful bidders, Johnston Land Farms and Charles Thompson, submitted bids of $202.00 per acre and $76.00 per acre respectively. The IFB does not mention any incumbent vendors or current contractors, and there is no information provided about existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration.