IVHM - Farm Lease Year 2026

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is issuing a Request for Quote (RFQ) for a farm lease opportunity at the Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno in Kankakee County. The procurement involves leasing approximately 142.39 tillable acres located at 1 Veterans Drive, Manteno, Illinois (USDA Farm 6264, Tract Number 230) for agricultural purposes only. Prospective vendors must submit pricing on a per-acre basis, with all expenses, shipping, and handling charges included in the quoted price, and quotes will be evaluated based on the highest value per acre offered. The lessee will be responsible for guaranteed lease payments through either prepayment of the full annual amount by March 1st each year or provision of an irrevocable letter of credit with semi-annual payments due July 15th and December 15th. Required qualifications and obligations include payment of all leasehold taxes during the lease term, provision of annual liability insurance proof, responsibility for all labor and equipment for farming operations, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations including NRCS soil conservation requirements and USDA Farm Bill program approvals. All questions must be submitted to Travis Kutemeier at travis.kutemeier@illinois.gov by March 20, 2026, with quote submissions required by the deadline specified in BidBuy (Bid #26-497DVA-MANTE-B-51338), and all quotes remaining valid for 90 days from submission. The lease term extends from contract execution through February 28, 2027.

The procurement documentation does not indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available materials. The RFQ specifies that subleasing and assignment of lease rights are prohibited without prior written approval from the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, though bailing of wheat stubble and hay may be subcontracted. Vendors must complete and submit a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) form to establish tax compliance status and eligibility as part of the vendor registration requirements. The USDA Farm Service Agency map document (created January 13, 2014) identifies cropland, non-cropland areas, and wetland determinations on the tract, and contractors should reference original wetland determination documents and contact USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for exact boundaries and specific determinations. No explicit award value or budget range is provided in the contract documents.