Farm Land Lease on Greater Rockford Airport Authority Property

The Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) is seeking a five-year agricultural land lease for approximately 486.2 tillable acres located at the Chicago Rockford International Airport in Washington County, Illinois. The procurement involves leasing 42.4 acres designated for hay crops and 443.8 acres for row crop cultivation, with potential two-year contract extensions at GRAA's discretion. Bidders must submit a per-acre pricing proposal for both crop types and provide a comprehensive list of owned or leased farming equipment. The evaluation criteria will prioritize the highest revenue generation for GRAA, considering factors such as the bidder's base business location, past performance, and overall operational capabilities. Proposals are due on October 30, 2025, at 10:30 AM CDT, with questions accepted until October 24, 2025. Successful bidders must immediately till row crop areas after harvest to cover remaining grain and will be required to make two annual lump sum payments on November 1 and March 1 of each contract year.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses. Bidders must carry commercial general liability insurance with specific coverage requirements and demonstrate substantial agricultural equipment inventory. While no incumbent vendor is identified, the lease opportunity allows GRAA to potentially award multiple contracts based on the most advantageous proposals. The airport authority reserves the right to make final contract award decisions in its best interests. Though specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, bidders will propose per-acre pricing for row and hay crops, which will determine the total annual lease revenue for GRAA. The comprehensive equipment worksheet suggests GRAA seeks experienced agricultural operators with robust farming capabilities and established equipment resources to effectively manage and cultivate the designated airport property.