27AL2377 Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Farm Lease

Solicitation 27-422DNR-REALT-B-54122 is an Invitation for Bid issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a farm lease at the Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Canton, Illinois. The contract, identified as 27AL2377, establishes a land management program for 385 acres spanning a five-year performance period from 2027 through 2031. The primary objective is to implement ecologically sound agricultural practices that improve soil health, minimize erosion, and protect water quality to benefit local wildlife habitats. Key operational restrictions include a strict prohibition on double cropping and the requirement to maintain a 200-foot chemical buffer from water sources in accordance with Atrazine Label instructions. Additionally, the department reserves the right to require that portions of crops remain standing and unharvested. The award will be based on the total contract sum for all years, with bidders providing a per-acre price per year. Awarded vendors must guarantee lease payments through either full prepayment within 30 days of execution or an irrevocable letter of credit and are responsible for all leasehold taxes. Required submissions include vendor disclosures, an equipment list, and a certificate of liability insurance. Bids are due by November 12, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. and may be submitted electronically via BidBuy or in paper format. The contract also mandates compliance with the Illinois Department of Human Rights Act, prevailing wage laws, and specific state certifications regarding business registration and cybersecurity risks.