Farming Lease at Norristown Farm Park

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, seeks a qualified agricultural operator to provide farming operations and management services at Norristown Farm Park through a Request for Proposal (RFP 26-28) issued on April 27, 2026, with a deadline for proposal submission of May 28, 2026. The procurement encompasses agricultural operations on approximately 409.9 acres of leased farmland, consisting of 380 acres of tillable cropland and 29.9 acres of hay land, located at 2500 Upper Farm Road in Norristown, Pennsylvania, within a 725-acre facility spanning East Norriton Township, West Norriton Township, and Norriton Borough. The County seeks to maintain the property's continuous agricultural use (documented since 1764) while expanding educational programming and historic agricultural interpretation opportunities in accordance with the park's Master Plan. Proposals must include a technical proposal addressing company profile, business history, future plans, and detailed responses to lease requirements, along with a separate payment proposal specifying annual payment per acre; qualified bidders must provide a minimum of three references for similar projects. The County emphasizes creative agricultural uses including Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations, sustainable and organic farming practices incorporating cover crops, crop rotation, biological pest management, and rotational grazing, with all pesticides requiring County notification and approval. Operators must comply with all state and county regulations, implement Montgomery County Soil Conservation District standards, conduct mandatory soil testing at contract award and every three years thereafter, maintain field borders and waterways through specified mowing schedules, and attend annual Agricultural Operations Agreement meetings held in September. The lease agreement is structured for an initial one-year term beginning January 1, 2027, with the option for nine additional one-year renewals up to a cumulative total of ten years, with renewal requests requiring submission at least 90 days prior to agreement expiration.

The procurement does not specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though Appendix A requires all bidders to provide Local, Small, and Diverse Business Concern Certification documentation and submit Public Disclosure Statements regarding any financial dealings with County elected officials within the past five years. All prospective contractors must meet standard certifications and representations including proof of non-suspension or debarment from government contracting within the past five years, no default or noncompliance with governmental contracts within the past ten years, no unresolved audit findings or felony convictions, and certification of independent price determination without competitor consultation. No incumbent vendor is specified in the solicitation materials, and no pre-existing agricultural operation details are provided regarding current farming practices or infrastructure integration requirements. The County retains the right to withdraw any acreage for recreation, wildlife protection, or other purposes with 90 days' notice and corresponding lease payment adjustment; the operator is responsible for furnishing all equipment, machinery, fertilizers, and seed necessary for operations. Award value information is not disclosed in the solicitation documents, though the operator must pay an annual operations fee based on specified rates per acre for both cropland and hay land, with security required in the amount of the annual operating fee through cash deposit, irrevocable letter of credit, or other County-approved methods. All proposals must be submitted exclusively through the Montgomery County Procurement Portal (Bonfire/Euna), with the County reserving the right to reject any or all bids and award contracts based on factors beyond price, including bidder experience, past performance, and other pertinent considerations.