New Castle County Procurement Opportunity

Lovett Farm – Agricultural Tillage Lease

Bid No. 27S-205

New Castle County, Delaware, is inviting qualified agricultural operators and farming businesses to submit competitive sealed bids and priced proposals for the Lovett Farm Agricultural Tillage Lease.

This opportunity is intended for applicants with agricultural experience and the capacity to operate a farming enterprise under the County's lease requirements.

Scope of Opportunity

New Castle County is seeking proposals from qualified applicants interested in agricultural tillage operations at Lovett Farm.

1. Agricultural Operations: Identify the proposed type of farming enterprise, crops to be cultivated, and anticipated scale of production.

2. Farm Management: Demonstrate relevant farming experience, farmland leasing experience, and the qualifications necessary to manage agricultural operations.

3. Financial Planning: Provide a proposed financial plan, including a budget and pricing information consistent with the solicitation requirements.

4. Qualifications: Submit relevant experience, references, and nutrient management certification information.

Applicants must review the separate Attachment A – Scope of Work for the complete agricultural lease requirements.

Important Dates & Information

Deadline for Vendor Questions: 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: January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2031 (five years)

Proposal Requirements

1. Submission Format: Submit one printed hard copy of the proposal in a sealed envelope. Proposals must not exceed 30 pages, excluding required procurement forms.

2. Required Documentation: Include the completed Non-Collusion Statement/Signature Page, Authorized Representative Procurement Affidavit, applicable licenses, and supporting qualifications.

3. Agricultural Qualifications: Provide the proposed farming enterprise, crop types, financial plan, production scale, farming experience, farmland leasing experience, references, and nutrient management certification information.

4. Additional Requirements: Address the County's green initiative expectations and complete the required AI Usage in Proposal Preparation form.

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

How to Respond

All proposals must be received before 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

Submission Instructions

Proposals may be mailed using a trackable delivery service or delivered in person during designated business hours.

Clearly mark the lower-left portion of the sealed envelope:

Bid #27S-205 – Lovett Farm – Agricultural Tillage Lease

Fax submissions will not be accepted.

Procurement Contact

Susan Smith
Procurement Agent
New Castle County Purchasing Division

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 302-395-5250

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-205 – Lovett Farm Agricultural Tillage Lease.

Vendors should download and review the complete solicitation, including the separately posted Scope of Work (Attachment A), Pricing Information (Attachment B), Evaluation Criteria (Attachment C), and any 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.