RFB 10202021 agriculutural land lease taylorsville lake WMA

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance and Administration Cabinet Division of Real Property, on behalf of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, issued Request for Bids 10202021 for the lease of agricultural land at Taylorsville Lake Wildlife Management Area located in Anderson and Spencer Counties. The procurement seeks qualified agricultural operators to lease and manage approximately 148 acres of state-owned land for a five-year term spanning 2022 through 2026, with the opportunity to renew for four successive one-year periods. The 148-acre parcel comprises multiple numbered fields totaling 740 acres over the five-year crop cycle, designated for yellow corn production (444 acres) and soybean production (296 acres) according to a specified crop rotation schedule. Bidders must propose annual per-acre rental rates for the designated crop fields, with all bid pricing required to remain firm throughout the entire five-year lease period. The lessee assumes full responsibility for crop maintenance, equipment, labor, supplies, and must comply with conservation plans and sustainable farming practices, including leaving 5 percent of corn and soybean crops standing in the field and providing $1,000 worth of annual gravel application to River Road with documented weight tickets and receipts. Sealed bids were due by 3:00 p.m. EDT on October 20, 2021, with site inspections encouraged prior to submission. Prospective bidders were required to submit a $100.00 good faith deposit payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, and the successful bidder must provide a spring deposit equal to 10 percent of the estimated annual contract value plus a security bond equal to 90 percent of the final payment, with final payment due by December 1st or alternatively pay in full upon contract acceptance.

The solicitation documents provided do not indicate any specific set-asides for disadvantaged business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, or women-owned businesses, nor do they identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors managing the property. The procurement prohibits the lessee from subletting, erecting structures, keeping livestock, or placing land in federal retirement programs, and the Commonwealth reserves the right to reject any or all bids and may terminate the lease for default with 30 days written notice. A 3 percent late charge applies to any final payment not received by December 1st. The lease term runs from March 15 to October 25 of each crop year, with annual contract renewals occurring between February 1-15. No specific award value or total contract amount is disclosed in the available solicitation documents; interested parties may contact Wendell Harris at 502-564-9831 for additional information regarding the solicitation or contact the Finance Division of Real Properties at The Bush Building, 403 Wapping Street, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.