Moraine Hills Farm Lease 2019

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for a five-year agricultural farming services contract at Moraine Hills State Park in Mchenry County. The Department requires a vendor to provide farming services on approximately 436 acres of land within the state park. The contract term is from March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2024, with an option to renew for an additional five-year period. Bids must specify an annual rental rate per acre and are due by December 12, 2018. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder who submits the highest annual rental rate per acre. The successful vendor will be responsible for maintaining equipment clearance, performing hay farming activities on 55.1 acres, and ensuring their equipment is cleaned of seeds prior to entering the site.

There are no set-asides or preferences specified for this opportunity. The incumbent vendor or current contractor is not identified. The contract will be funded through revenues generated by the leased farmland within Moraine Hills State Park. A mandatory vendor conference is scheduled for November 27, 2018, and the contract is not eligible for renewal beyond the initial five-year term. The successful vendor must provide an irrevocable letter of credit or prepay the full annual lease amount to guarantee payment and must pay all leasehold taxes on the leased lands.