Section 1545.40  Bid Proposals for Competitive Sales

a)         In order to qualify each bid must be submitted on the bid forms provided by the Department.  Bid forms may be obtained at a location specified in the bid advertisement.  The site will be determined on the basis of the location of the sale and accessibility for the timber buyers to obtain this information.

b)         Bids must be accompanied by a deposit in the form of a bank draft, cashier's check certified check, or money order payable to the Department of Natural Resources in an amount equal to at least 5% of the bid, but not less than $25.  This is subject to increase or decrease based on the environmental condition, size, location, type and value of forest products being offered for sale.

c)         After the bid has been approved by the Director, or his designee, as an acceptable bid, the successful bidder will be notified.  Upon receiving the notification of acceptance, he/she will make payment to the Department. Upon receipt of the payment, executed contract and the required performance deposit, pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1545.50 and 1545.60, a fully executed copy of the sale contract will be returned to the successful bidder along with the bid deposit, if applicable.  If agreed to by the successful bidder and the Department, the bid deposit may be used as a partial payment toward the payment due to the Department.

d)         If the successful bidder declines or fails to accept the award of the sale contract, the bid deposit check will be forfeited and deposited by the Director in the Fish and Wildlife Fund.  If acceptable to the Department, the next highest bidder will be offered the sale.  The bid deposit checks of the unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to them as soon as the sale to the successful bidder has been finalized.

e)         No person who has, within the preceding twelve months, pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a Class 4 Felony or whose license has been revoked or suspended in the previous calendar year, pertaining to a violation of a statute or rule pertaining to forestry, or who is an agent, employee, employer or business associate of any person who, within the preceding twelve months, has pled guilty to or been convicted of a Class 4 Felony or whose license has been revoked or suspended in the previous calendar year pertaining to a violation of a statute or rule pertaining to forestry, shall be eligible to purchase forest products from State lands.  The Statutes and rules pertaining to forestry are located in Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 96½, pars. 6901 et seq., Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch 111, pars. 701 et. seq., and this Part.  Any such persons who submits a bid shall have his bid deposit forfeited and deposited by the Director in the Fish and Wildlife Fund.

f)         Providing false information on the bid forms shall be Class B Misdemeanor.

g)         The Department will reject a bid if it is not acceptable, if there is any possible violation of the bidding procedure, or environmental concerns arise that may change the bidding, or contract that was not known prior to the advertisement of the sale.