Haying - El Dorado State Park

The State of Kansas Department of Administration, specifically the Office of Procurement and Contracts for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, is soliciting competitive bids for haying services at El Dorado State Park through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with Event ID 17300-EVT0010381. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide agricultural services focused on hay harvesting across approximately 1,100 acres of native grasslands in three park areas: Shady Creek, Boulder Bluff, and Bluestem Point. The primary objectives include establishing fire barrier strips, controlling woody vegetation, and creating wildlife habitat edges, with contractors permitted to harvest hay between July 5th and July 31st annually. The contract duration will run from the date of award through December 31, 2029, with only one cutting allowed per year. Contractors must pay a per-ton rate to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks via cashier's check before hay removal, and all bales and equipment must be removed by September 1st each year, with a $5 per bale daily penalty for late removal. The bid response deadline is August 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT, with the shipping destination at El Dorado State Park located at 618 NE Bluestem Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042.

The state encourages participation from various business types and offers potential preference categories, including disabled veteran-owned businesses and certified businesses. Bidders must comply with several state requirements, such as obtaining a current Tax Clearance Certificate, submitting Immigration Reform and Control Act documentation, and completing forms related to sexual harassment and boycott policies. Contractors must have equipment thoroughly cleaned before arrival to prevent the spread of Sericea Lespedeza and must adhere to specified buffer zones around camping areas, trails, tree rows, ravines, and roads. Historical hay lease weights indicate a five-year average of 894 tons for Bluestem Point and 1,165 tons for Shady Creek and Boulder Bluff tracts, providing potential bidders with production context. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, contractors will generate revenue by harvesting and selling hay, with payments made to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The contract also allows political subdivisions to potentially utilize the same pricing and terms, though the state assumes no responsibility for their payments. Bidders must be officially invited to participate in the event and are required to register as a vendor with the state if not already done.