Topeka ? The Kansas Department of Agriculture is considering moving its headquarters out of Topeka to Manhattan or southwest Kansas.

The state department that handles facilities for state agencies is soliciting bids for office space for the Department of Agriculture. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports bids are being sought from Topeka, Manhattan and Great Bend, Garden City and/or Dodge City.

Agriculture department official Max Foster said Monday the department’s lease in Topeka ends Sept. 30, 2013.

A spokeswoman for Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman says the department has been working for the past six months to find a space that meets all the department’s needs.

The bid solicitations say the leased spaces must accommodate 20 to 180 workers.