Ferris Demonstration Area Crop Production

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is requesting bids to establish approximately 110.39 acres of crop production across three tracts on the Ferris Demonstration Area in McPherson County, with bids due August 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST.

The three tracts are located between Plum and First Avenues, south of Moccasin Road, near Windom: Tract 1 (28.80 acres in the northwest corner), Tract 2 (51.98 acres in the northeast corner), and Tract 3 (29.61 acres along the southern edge). All three tracts are bid under a single permit at a single share rate. The permittee assumes full responsibility for controlling noxious weeds, managing equipment and vehicle use per departmental guidelines, and complying with annual permit requirements signed prior to March 1 each year. Operations are prohibited before March 1, and sub-leasing, silage cutting, and double cropping following wheat harvest are not permitted. KDWP assumes no responsibility for water, flood, fire, hail, wind, or wildlife damage to crops.

The contract term runs from August 2026 through August 31, 2027, with options to renew for three additional 36-month periods, providing a maximum contract duration of ten years subject to mutual consent. Award is determined by competitive bid with the highest share for KDWP given preference. Bidders must submit a cost sheet specifying the per-production-acre rate for each tract, with no pricing information included in technical proposal documents.

Bidders must complete mandatory registration with the State of Kansas prior to the closing date and submit proposals to procurement@ks.gov or hand-deliver to the Office of Procurement and Contracts at 900 SW Jackson, Room 1001, North Topeka, KS 66612-1286. Written questions requesting clarification must be submitted to Procurement Officer Bridget Martinez (bridget.martinez@ks.gov or 785-296-2375) by end of business on August 3, 2026. No pre-bid conference is scheduled.