About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Parks and Recreation, seeks proposals to lease designated public land for producing agricultural commodities such as grain, vegetable, and forage crops. The lessee must control noxious weeds, provide at least 48 hours notice before onsite activities, establish conservation and nutrient management plans, and adhere to specific hay cutting and chemical application restrictions. Only USA organizations are eligible to bid. Proposers must submit questions by November 13, 2026, and deliver sealed proposals by 11:00 AM local time on December 8, 2026, to the Division of Parks and Recreation in Dover, Delaware. Submissions must include the proposal reply form with annual and per-acre lease fees, alongside a certified check for 25 percent of the proposed first-year annual lease fee as bid security.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Parks and Recreation
Scope of work
- Agricultural land leasing for crop and forage production
- Maintenance of proper soil pH and mineral content
- Implementation of a Conservation Plan with NRCS
- Implementation of a Nutrient Management Plan with Delaware Department of Agriculture
- Control of noxious weeds within leased boundaries
- Establishment and maintenance of required winter cover crops
- Establishment and maintenance of 25-foot vegetated buffer strips along crop fields
- Annual submission of harvest reports
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Knowledge and experience in farming leased property | 20 points / 20% |
| The offeror's experience and participation in Delaware's Farmland Preservation | 6 points / 6% |
Minimum qualifications
- Certified pesticide applicators for application of agricultural chemical sprays
- Ability to enter into a Conservation Plan with the Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Ability to enter into a Nutrient Management Plan with the Delaware Department of Agriculture
- Must possess all necessary permits, licenses, and insurance policies required by local, State, or Federal laws
- Satisfactory performance record as evidenced by past experience
Documents to include with your response
- Vendor Offer Form
- Non-Collusion Statement and Acceptance (notarized and signed)
- Bid security certified check for 25% of proposed annual lease fee
- Brief description of experience relative to RFP conditions including knowledge and experience farming leased property
- Assertion of ability to meet lease conditions provided in Exhibit B
- Description of offeror's experience and participation in Delaware's Farmland Preservation
- Exception Form (if applicable)
- W-9 Form (for awarded vendor upon lease execution)
Key dates
- RFP Availability to Vendors
- Friday, November 6, 2026
- Written Questions Due
- Friday, November 13, 2026
- Written Answers Due/Posted to Website
- Friday, November 20, 2026
- Proposals Due
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM LOCAL TIME
- Public Proposal Opening
- Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM LOCAL TIME
- Contract Award
- Will occur within 90 days of bid opening
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy delivered via first class mail, delivery service, or hand delivery
- Instructions
- Submit in a sealed envelope marked with the bid/contract number to DNREC/Division of Parks and Recreation, OBS/NAT26003_TPSP AG LEASE, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: Kristie Wyatt and Rebecca Lovin. Oral, email, fax, or telephone proposals are not allowed.
Contract details
- Term
- Seven (7) years beginning on January 1, 2027
- Place of performance
- State of Delaware DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation agricultural lease lands as identified in Exhibit A
- Insurance and bonding
- Lessee shall be insured against liability resulting from any agricultural practice or presence upon the leased land. Certificate of Insurance and/or policy copies must be filed with the State prior to work, and the State shall not be named as an additional insured.