New Castle County Procurement Opportunity

Vaughn Farm – Agricultural Tillage Lease

Bid No. 27S-200

New Castle County, Delaware, is accepting competitive sealed bids and priced proposals for the Vaughn Farm Agricultural Tillage Lease.

This opportunity is intended for qualified agricultural operators and farming businesses with experience in crop production, farmland management, and agricultural operations.

Scope of Opportunity

New Castle County is seeking proposals for agricultural tillage operations at Vaughn Farm.

1. Proposed Farming Operations: Describe the type of farming enterprise, proposed crops, and anticipated scale of production.

2. Agricultural Experience: Provide years of farming experience, previous farmland leasing experience, relevant qualifications, and a resume with references.

3. Financial Planning: Submit a financial plan, including a proposed budget and pricing information consistent with the County's requirements.

4. Agricultural Qualifications: Provide nutrient management certification information and applicable licenses.

5. Environmental Sustainability: Describe practices supporting water and energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, and environmentally responsible operations.

Applicants must review the separately posted Attachment A – Scope of Work for the complete Vaughn Farm requirements.

Important Dates

Vendor Questions Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET

Proposal Submission Deadline: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET

Anticipated Contract Start: January 1, 2027

Contract Term: Five years, January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2031.

Proposal Requirements

1. Submission Format: One printed hard copy in a sealed envelope. The proposal must not exceed 30 pages, excluding required procurement forms.

2. Required Forms: Completed and signed Non-Collusion Statement/Signature Page, Authorized Representative Procurement Affidavit, and AI Usage in Proposal Preparation form.

3. Company Information: Cover letter with company background, headquarters address, primary contact, employee count, and relevant services.

4. Farming Qualifications: Proposed farm enterprise, crop types, financial plan and budget, production scale, nutrient management certification, farming experience, and references.

5. Additional Information: Applicable business licenses, supplier diversity certifications, Delaware labor information, and environmental sustainability practices.

6. Subcontracting: Subcontracting is not permitted under this solicitation.

How to Respond

Sealed proposals must be received before Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.

Submission Address:

New Castle County Purchasing Division
New Castle County Government Center
87 Reads Way
New Castle, DE 19720

Proposals may be mailed using a trackable delivery service or delivered in person during designated business hours. Fax submissions are not accepted.

Clearly identify the sealed envelope with:

Bid #27S-200 – Vaughn Farm – Agricultural Tillage Lease

Procurement Contact

Susan Smith
Procurement Agent
New Castle County Purchasing Division

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 302-395-5250 (Purchasing Division)

All questions must be submitted in writing by October 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET.

Supplier Diversity

New Castle County encourages participation from minority-owned, women-owned, small, and other diverse businesses. Certified small or diverse businesses may receive additional consideration during proposal evaluation.

Review Full RFP & Supporting Documents

Visit the New Castle County Bid Opportunities website:

https://www.newcastlede.gov/Bids.aspx

Search for Bid 27S-200 – Vaughn Farm Agricultural Tillage Lease.

Download and review the complete solicitation, including Attachment A – Scope of Work, Attachment B – Pricing Information, Attachment C – Evaluation Criteria, and any official addenda.

AACC members are encouraged to review the complete solicitation and all addenda carefully before responding. This opportunity will remain available in InfoHub through the submission deadline.