Hunting Land Lease in Covington County

Auburn University is soliciting proposals for a hunting land lease of a 95-acre property located in Covington County, Alabama, through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The solicitation, identified as RFP Number AU-2024-0000808, seeks a five-year lease term from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2029, with the property managed by the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center. The lease will grant the successful bidder exclusive hunting rights for all legal game birds and animals on the specified tract. Proposals must be submitted through the JAGGAER Sourcing Event Portal between July 11, 2024, 12:01 PM CDT and July 18, 2024, 10:30 AM CDT. The evaluation criteria will prioritize pricing at 75% and minimal interruption of university operations at 25%, with a minimum annual bid requirement of $8.00 per acre. Bidders must provide a completed lease agreement, contact information, and comply with Alabama state tax regulations, E-Verify documentation, and vendor disclosure statements.

The procurement appears open to all qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The total lease value is estimated at $3,800 for the full five-year term, with an option for a potential 60-month extension under the same conditions. Successful bidders must maintain comprehensive general liability insurance and adhere to strict land use restrictions, including prohibitions on dog deer hunting, camping, and off-road vehicle use. The lease requires members to sign liability waivers, maintain a sign-in/sign-out board, and report incidents within 24 hours. Additional requirements include controlling hog populations, protecting the land from littering, and avoiding interference with university timber and mineral operations. A 10% late fee will be applied if annual payments are not submitted by October 1, 2024. The contact for this solicitation is Christalyn Thomas, reachable at cmc0122@auburn.edu or +1 334-844-3711, who can provide additional details about the procurement.