RFB: Bids for Leasing Tri-County Airport Cropland

SECTION 1 NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR BIDS
Notice is hereby given that the County will receive Bids per specifications until 2:00 PM, October 29,
2026 (CST) ("Closing"), to provide bids for leasing cropland located at the Tri-County Airport. No Bids
will be received or considered after that time. Public opening of Bids will be conducted at the Sauk
County West Square Building at 505 Broadway St. Room 213, Baraboo, WI 53913 on October 29, 2026,
at 2:30 PM Central Time. An information packet containing maps, conservation plan, example lease and
standard clauses, and bid template is available upon request from the County.
Bids should be submitted in sealed envelopes to Sauk County Clerk's Office, 505 Broadway, Ste. 144,
Baraboo, WI 53913. Each submittal should be properly marked as indicated on the provided template.
Addenda to submittals will not be considered.
Contact Information
James Witecha, Corporation Counsel
james.witecha@saukcountywi.gov
The County reserves the right to reject any and all Bids not in compliance with all prescribed public RFB
procedures and requirements and may reject for good cause any and all Bids upon the finding that it is in
the public interest to do so and to waive any and all informalities in the public interest. In the award of
the lease agreement, the County will consider the element of time, will accept the Bid or Bids which in
their estimation will best serve the interests of the County and will reserve the right to award the lease
agreement to the bidder whose Bid must be best for the public good.
A lease agreement incorporating the terms of this RFB shall be entered into by successful Bidder after
award of the project and before the work may commence. The County encourages bids from minority,
women, and small business enterprises.
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SECTION 2 GENERAL BID PROCESS
The County reserves the right to reject any and all Bids received as a result of this RFB.
2.1 Modification or Withdrawal of Bid. Any Bid may be modified or withdrawn at any time prior to
the Closing deadline, provided that a written request is received by the Sauk County Corporation
Counsel Office, prior to the Closing. The withdrawal of a Bid will not prejudice the right of a Bidder to
submit a new Bid.
2.2 Requests for Clarification and Requests for Change. Bidders may submit questions regarding the
specifications of the RFB. Questions must be received on or before October 19, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. (CST)
to the contact information as listed in Section 1 of this RFB. Requests for changes must include the reason
for the change and any proposed changes to the requirements. The purpose of this requirement is to allow
Sauk County the opportunity to provide clarifications or adjust RFB terms or technical requirements prior
to the opening of Bids. The County will consider all requested changes and, if appropriate, amend the
RFB. The County will provide reasonable notice of its decision to all Bidders that have provided an email
address to the Sauk County Corporation Counsel Office for this procurement. No oral or written
instructions or information concerning this RFB from County managers, employees or agents to
prospective Bidders must bind County unless included in an Addendum to the RFB.
2.3 Addenda. If any part of this RFB is changed, an addendum will be provided to Bidders that have
provided an address to the Sauk County Corporation Counsel Office for this procurement. It must be
the Bidder's responsibility to regularly check the Bids and Contract Information page at
www.co.sauk.wi.us/rfps for any published Addenda or response to clarifying questions.
2.4 Submission of Bids. Bids must be submitted in accordance with this RFB.
All Bids must be legibly written in ink or typed and comply in all regards with the requirements of this
RFB. All Bids must include a signature that affirms the Bidder's intent to be bound by the Bid. If a Bid is
submitted by a business or partnership, the name and address of the business or partnership must be
shown, together with the names and addresses of the members. If the Bid is submitted by a corporation, it
must be signed in the name of such corporation by an official who is authorized to bind the contractor.
No late Bids will be accepted. Bids submitted after the Closing will be considered late and will be
returned unopened.
2.5 Evaluation Criteria
The award of a lease resulting from this Request for Bid shall be based on submittals from responsible
bidders in combination with the highest bid. The following criteria will be used in determining if a bidder
is responsible:
1. Completeness of the bid documents.
2. Understanding of the background and requirements of the Scope of Work.
3. Demonstrated success in projects similar to the one described in the RFB. The Bidder shall
provide 1 professional or personal reference.
4. The cash rent being offered.
5. The financial status of the person making the bid as it relates to such person's ability to fulfill the
terms of the lease including review of the bidder's credit report and history. The Bidder shall
provide 2 credit references.
6. Previous experience of the County with any prospective lessee in any rental agreement, contract or
program participation.
2.6 Post-Selection Review and Notice of Intent to Reward Bid. The County will name the
apparent successful Bidder in a "Notice of Intent to Award" letter within ten (10) days of the bid
opening. Identification of the apparent successful Bidder is procedural only and creates no right of
the named Bidder to award of the lease agreement.
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2.7 Investigation of References. The County reserves the right to investigate all references in addition to
those supplied references and investigate past performance of any Bidder with respect to its successful
performance of similar services, its compliance with specifications and contractual obligations, its
completion or delivery of a project on schedule, its lawful payment of subcontractors and workers, and
any other factors relevant to this RFB. The County may postpone the award or the execution of the lease
agreement after the announcement of the apparent successful Bidder in order to complete its investigation.
2.8 RFB Bid Preparation Costs and Other Costs. Bidder costs of developing the Bid, cost of
attendance at an interview (if requested by the County), or any other costs are entirely the responsibility
of the Bidder and will not be reimbursed in any manner by the County. Bidder must not include any
such expenses as part of the price proposed in response to this RFB. The Department must be held
harmless and free from any and all liability, claims, or expenses whatsoever incurred by, or on behalf of,
any person or organization responding to this RFB.
2.9 Clarification and Clarity. The County reserves the right to seek clarification of each Bid, or to
make an award without further discussion of Bids received. Therefore, it is important that each Bid be
submitted initially in the most complete, clear, and favorable manner possible.
2.10 Right to Reject Bids. The County reserves the right to reject any or all Bids or to withdraw
any item from the award, if such rejection or withdrawal would be in the public interest, as
determined by the County.
2.11 Cancellation. The County reserves the right to cancel or postpone this RFB at any time or to award
no lease agreement.
2.12 Bid Terms. All Bids, including any price quotes, will be valid and firm through a period of ninety
(90) calendar days following the Closing date. The County may require an extension of this firm offer
period. Bidders will be required to agree to the longer time frame in order to be further considered in the
procurement process.
2.13 Usage. It is the intention of the County to utilize the services of the successful Bidder(s) to provide
services as outlined in the below Scope of Work.
2.14 Review for Responsiveness. Upon receipt of all Bids, the Sauk County Corporation Counsel
Office or designee will determine the responsiveness of all Bids. If a Bid is incomplete or non-
responsive in significant part or in whole, it will be rejected and will not be submitted to the evaluation
committee. The County reserves the right to determine if an inadvertent error is solely clerical or is a
minor informality which may be waived, and then to determine if an error is grounds for disqualifying a
Bid. The Bidder's contact person identified on the Bid will be notified, identifying the reason(s) the Bid
is non-responsive. One copy of the Bid will be archived, and all others discarded.
2.15 RFB Incorporated into Lease Agreement. This RFB will become part of the Lease agreement
between the County and the selected bidder(s). The bidder(s) will be bound to perform according to the
terms of this RFB, their Bid(s), and the terms of a lease agreement.
2.16 Communication Blackout Period. Except as called for in this RFB, Bidders may not communicate
with members of the Sauk County or Richland County Boards, Tri-County Airport Commission
members, or other County employees or representatives about the RFB during the procurement process
until the apparent successful Bidder is selected, and all protests, if any, have been resolved.
Communication in violation of this restriction may result in rejection of a Bidder. Refer to Section 2.2
Requests for Clarification and Requests for Change.
2.17 Prohibition on Commissions and Subcontractors. The County will contract directly with
persons/entities capable of performing the requirements of this RFB. Contractors must be represented
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directly. Participation by brokers or commissioned agents will not be allowed during the Bid process.
2.18 Ownership of Bids. All Bids in response to this RFB are the sole property of the County, and
subject to the provisions of public records.
2.19 Clerical Errors in Awards. The County reserves the right to correct inaccurate awards resulting
from its clerical errors.
2.20 Rejection of Qualified Bids. Bids may be rejected in whole or in part if they attempt to limit or
modify any of the terms, conditions, or specifications of the RFB.
2.21 Collusion. By responding, the Bidder states that the Bid is not made in connection with any
competing Bidder submitting a separate response to the RFB and is in all aspects fair and without
collusion or fraud. Bidder also certifies that no officer, agent, elected official, or employee of County
has a pecuniary interest in this Bid.
2.22 Bid Evaluation. Bids will be evaluated by the County and potentially external
representatives.
2.23 Commencement of Work. The contractor must commence no work until all insurance requirements
have been met, and a Notice to Proceed has been issued by the County.
2.24 Best and Final Offer. The County may request best and final offers from those Bidders
determined by the County to be reasonably viable for bid award. However, the County reserves the right
to award a bid on the basis of initial Bid received. Therefore, each Bid should contain the Bidder's best
terms from a price and technical standpoint. Following evaluation of the best and final offers, the
County may select for final lease agreement negotiations/execution the offers that are most
advantageous to the County, considering cost and the evaluation criteria in this RFB.
2.25 Nondiscrimination. The successful Bidder agrees that, in performing the work called for by this
RFB and in securing and supplying materials, contractor will not discriminate against any person based on
race, color, religious creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity,
veteran status, physical or mental handicap, national origin or ancestry, or any other class protected by
applicable law.
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SECTION 3 SCOPE OF WORK
3.1 Project Description
The Tri-County Airport Commission seeks bids for leasing cropland located at the Tri-County Airport. The
cropland lease will commence on January 1, 2027 and terminate on December 31, 2029.
3.2 Project Scope
Background
The Tri-County Airport cropland is roughly 74.27-acres of property located on nine (9) different parcels
as shown on the attached Exhibit A map.
Scope of Work: General Guidelines
1. The premises shall be planted with only low growing crops that do not exceed three (3) feet in
height.
2. Crops must be harvested as soon as they mature and weather allows. Waste grain and other crop
residue which may attract wildlife shall be tilled under the soil within forty-eight (48) hours of
harvest. The property owner has the right to remove any crops that attract birds and other wildlife,
which pose a hazard to aircraft.
3. Equipment must be for agriculture purposes only and used during daylight hours only. Equipment,
harvested crops, feed, or other materials cannot be stored on the property.
4. The area must be kept free from all noxious weeds and grasses, and in the event that any appear, the
owner has the right to destroy or prevent them from bearing seed.
5. There shall be no burning of the property.
6. No standing water can be created or allowed to remain in the leased area.
7. The planting of crops or use of equipment within seventy-five (75) feet of the centerline is
prohibited.
8. Corn is prohibited from planting on the property, which includes sweet corn, white corn, popcorn,
or field corn.
9. No signage shall be erected on the premises.
10. The rented property cannot be utilized for hunting purposes.
Property Access
Ingress and egress to the property is via the following routes:
* From CTH JJ; and
* From Mercer Road
Any damage to the property will be the sole responsibility of the renter.
Approach Protection
The property owner has the right to take any action it considers necessary to protect the aerial
approaches of the airport against obstruction, which means that there shall be no building, erecting, or
permitting any building or other structure to be constructed on the leased premises.
Right to Inspect
The property owner has the right to enter the property at any reasonable time for the purpose of
inspection to ensure compliance with any agreement and verify that the agricultural use will not affect
the operations of the airport.
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SECTION 4 BID CONTENTS
Submittals should be submitted in sealed envelopes to Sauk County Clerk's Office, 505 Broadway, Ste.
144, Baraboo, WI 53913. Each submittal should be properly marked as indicated on the provided
template. Addenda to submittals will not be considered.
Bidders must provide the following information in the bid, which appears below:
4.1 Cover Letter. The cover letter should include the name, address, phone number, email address, and
original signature of an individual with authority to negotiate on behalf of and to contractually bind the
bidder, and who may be contacted during the period of bid evaluation.
4.2 Cash rent. Provide the cash rent per acre offered along with total annual payment (rental rate
multiplied by 74.27 acres).
4.3 Experience and Qualifications. Provide a summary describing experience utilizing practices
outlined in the Scope of Work. Include any previous experience working with the Airport in any rental
agreement, contract or program participation.
4.4 Available Technology. Describe the technology that will be used to document planting and
harvesting data.
4.5 References. Provide one professional/personal reference and two credit references.
4.6 Earnest Money. A certified check or bank money order in the sum of ten percent (10%) of the first
annual rent installment
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AGRICULTURAL LEASE
XYZ Farms
This agreement, made and entered into on the date indicated below by and between Sauk & Richland
County's, hereinafter called the Lessor, and XYZ Farms, Inc. hereinafter called the Lessee.
WHEREAS, the Lessor owns and operates an airport known as the Tri-County Airport and Lessee is
desirous of leasing from the Lessor a certain parcels of land on the airport, hereinafter more fully described,
for the purpose of conducting agricultural activities;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the rental charges, covenants, and agreements herein
contained, the Lessee does hereby lease from the Lessor the following premises, rights, and easements on
and to the airport upon the following terms and conditions.
1. Premises Description: Parcels 1-9 on the attached Exhibit A, for a total of 74.27 acres.
2. Term: The term of this lease shall be for a period of nine (9) calendar months commencing on April
1st, 2025 and terminating on December 31st, 2025
3. Rent: The Lessee agrees to pay to the Lessor for the use of the premises, rights, and easements herein
described, a yearly rental rate of $_____ per acre, for a total of $_____ due upon signing. Lease payment
shall be made payable to Sauk County and shall be sent to
Tri-County Airport
c/o Marc Higgs
E2525 County HWY. JJ
Spring Green, WI. 53588
4. Use of the Premises: Lessee shall have the right to use the premises solely for agricultural purposes
and hereby agrees to the following:
a. The demised premises shall be planted with only low growing crops not exceeding 3 feet
in height.
b. Lessee agrees to cultivate said premises using good husbandry methods, and to apply
fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides according to good farming practices and to hold
Lessor harmless for the application thereof. None of the land herein shall be placed in any
Federal set aside programs.
c. Crops shall be harvested as soon as they mature and weather allows. Waste grain and other
crop residue which may attract wildlife shall be tilled under the soil within 48 hours of
harvest.
d. Any equipment brought onto the premises shall be for agricultural purposes only and only
during daylight hours, unless otherwise authorized by Lessor. No equipment, harvested
crops, feed, or other materials shall be stored on the premises when not in use unless
otherwise authorized by Lessor.
e. Any construction on or improvement of the leased area must be approved by Lessor in

writing prior to such use.
f. Lessee agrees to keep said premises free from all noxious weeds and grasses, and in the
event any appear on said premises, the Lessee agrees to destroy the same and to prevent
them from bearing seed and to comply with the statutes of this State as to the time and
manner of destroying same.
g. Lessee shall not burn any product of the land without the expressed permission of the
Lessor.
h. Lessee shall not create or contribute to standing water.
i. Lessee is responsible for the removal of all garbage from the premises.
j. Lessee shall not plant any crops or use any machinery within 75" of the centerline of any
runway.
k. Lessee shall not plant corn of any type or variety. This includes, but is not limited to sweet
corn, white corn, popcorn or field corn.
l. Compliance with Laws. LESSEE's use of the Premises shall be in full compliance with all
laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all public authorities having jurisdiction over the
Premises and no part of the Premises shall be occupied or used for any purpose or in any
manner that obligates Lessor to make any addition or alteration to or in the Premises.
LESSEE shall not perform any act or activity in connection with its use of the Premises
which shall be a nuisance, including, but not limited to, the creation and/or emission of
noxious fumes or odors or noise at unreasonably high sound levels not associated with
normal agricultural operations.
m. Legal Requirements. LESSEE, at LESSEE's own cost and expense, shall comply with all
present and future laws, ordinances, rules, requirements and regulations of the federal,
state, county and city governments and of any and all other governmental authorities or
agencies affecting the Premises as a result of the particular use and occupancy of the
Premises by LESSEE. LESSEE shall, at its own cost and expense, comply promptly with
all present and future orders, rules, rulings, regulations and directives and of any
governmental authority or agency relating to such use. Any such additions, alterations or
changes will become the exclusive property of Lessor unless otherwise agreed in writing
between the parties prior to installation in the Premises.
5. Access: Lessee shall have the right of ingress to and egress from the demised premises via the following
access routes:
a. Off of CTH JJ; and
b. Off of Mercer Road.
Lessee agrees to repair any damage to Lessor's property caused by Lessee's use of said access routes.
Lessee agrees not to permit the deposit of any crops, dirt, or debris upon those areas of airport property
outside of the leased premises.
6. Right to Inspect: Lessor reserves the right to enter upon the premises at any reasonable time for the

purpose of making any inspection it may deem expedient to the proper enforcement of any of the
covenants or conditions of this agreement, or to the operation of the airport.
7. Signs: No signs or advertising matter may be erected on the leased premises without the prior written
consent of the Lessor.
8. Mineral and Gravel Rights: Title to all minerals or gravel on said premises shall remain in the Lessor
and this lease does not convey any rights thereto.
9. Hunting Rights: All hunting rights and privileges are reserved to the Lessor and this lease does not
convey any rights thereto.
10. Approach Protection: Lessor reserves the right to take any action it considers necessary to protect
the aerial approaches of the airport against obstruction, together with the right to prevent Lessee from
erecting, or permitting to be erected, any building or other structure on the airport, which, in the opinion
of Lessor, would limit the usefulness of the airport, or constitute a hazard to aircraft.
11. Hold Harmless: The Lessor shall not be liable to the Lessee for, and Lessee shall hold the Lessor
harmless from, any and all claims, damages or losses caused by the acts or omissions of the Lessee, its
family, guests, invitees, employees, agents, representatives or servants, relating to or arising out of
Lessee's use and enjoyment of the premises or the rights and privileges granted by this lease. The Lessor
shall not be liable for any loss or damage, not caused by negligent acts or omissions of the Lessor,
which Lessee may sustain from:
a. Theft or burglary in or about the premises;
b. Delay or interruption in any utility service from any cause whatsoever;
c. Fire, water, rain, frost, snow, gas, odors or fumes from any source whatsoever; or
d. Any injury to any person or damage to any property.
12. Liens and Encumbrances: The Lessee shall neither create, nor cause or permit to be created, any lien,
encumbrance, security interest or other charge, including liens for work, labor or materials furnished,
or alleged to have been furnished, on the leased premises.
13. Land Reduction: The Lessor reserves the right to remove from this lease all or any part of the above
described premises in the event the Lessor determines that said premises are needed for aeronautical
purposes. The Lessor shall give the Lessee written notice of such removal at least thirty (30) days prior
to the effective date of the removal. In the event of such removal, this lease shall continue on the
unaffected land, but the rent will be proportionately adjusted. In the event there are any growing crops
on the affected lands, the Lessor shall pay to the Lessee the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by
the Lessee in planting of said crops.
14. Obstructions. AIRPORT reserves the right to take any action it considers necessary to protect the
aerial approaches of the Airport against obstruction, together with the right to prevent LESSEE from
erecting, or permitting to be erected, any building or other structure on the Airport which, in the opinion
of TRI-COUNTY, would limit the usefulness of the Airport or constitute a hazard to aircraft. LESSEE
shall, upon approval by AIRPORT and prior to any construction of any nature within the boundaries of
the Airport, prepare and submit to the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA Form 7460 1, "Notice of
Proposed Construction or Alteration," as required by Federal Aviation Regulation Part 77. AIRPORT