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Summary, notice description and lot information
Cumberland Council, a regional authority based in Carlisle, is overseeing a procurement process for the provision of enhanced residential services focusing on working-age adults with disabilities and/or mental health needs. This procurement falls within the health and social work services industry and is set to take place in the UKD1 region. The process, which employs an open procedure, was initiated with a tender announcement on 20th February 2025, and the submission deadline was set for 21st March 2025.
The objective is to create a framework agreement effective from 1st May 2025, running initially for two years until 30th April 2027, with potential extensions up until 30th April 2029. 8 million, jointly funded by Cumberland Council and the NHS Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. The framework presents promising growth opportunities for service providers, particularly those focusing on residential care for individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions.
Given the collaborative arrangement with both local councils and integrated care boards, this procurement might appeal to larger established organisations capable of delivering high-quality services meeting CQC registration requirements. The framework features two lots: individual placements and bespoke services, both fostering competition and innovation through open and frequent opportunities for new entrants. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to partake, as evidenced by the significant portion of bids received from SMEs during the tender phase.
Businesses can leverage this framework to expand their service offerings and establish a strong presence within the regional care sector.
Lot 1 - Individual Placement - Cumberland Council will commission residential services via referral and follow the Call Off processes outlined in the Award Process Schedule 2 of the Framework Agreement. Any Contract awarded will be done so on the basis of the Provider completing Schedule 3a (Providers Tender Submission) in full and as required by the Council. This means that Providers must do the following: * Answer 'yes' to the two qualifying statements on the 'Instructions' tab of Schedule 3a (Providers Tender Submission). Providers who answer 'no' will be rejected and should not proceed with their tender. * Completion of the following tabs with the providers information: * Provider & Home Details (will be used to create a catalogue of providers and to create a Provider profile on the Council's web pages) * Support Offer (will be used to create a catalogue of providers) * Home Staffing & Costing Form * Answer 2 Social Value Questions so that a Social Value KPI unique to each Provider can be created. Where a Provider has answered 'Yes' to the qualifying statements (Instructions tab) and has fully completed each respective tab on Schedule 3a, and the information it has given supports the Providers application and price, the Provider will be successful in their application to this Framework. This means that: * The Provider and Home details are completed fully for each home and are correct (at the time of applying) * The Providers Support Offer is completed fully for each home and is agreed as correct (at the time of applying) by Social Workers. * The Providers Home Staffing & Costing Form is completed fully for each home and the information given supports the Providers price (at the time of applying) * Both Social Value questions have been answered within the word count and the answers include clear objectives for consideration by the Council that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable and Realistic within a specified Time frame (SMART) Where a Provider fails to complete the tender as required by the Council (as outlined above), clarification will be sought on any errors or omissions, unless the Provider has answered 'No' to the two qualifying statements on the 'Instructions' tab of Schedule 3a. Where a Provider answers 'No' to these statements their bid will be rejected. If the Council is not satisfied with the information provided after clarification has been sought from the Provider on any errors or omissions it may choose to clarify further or to reject a bid. The number of clarifications sought will be at the Councils discretion. Providers should note that if multiple clarifications are requested by the Council, this will delay the Providers application to the Framework.
Lot 2 - Bespoke Services Should the Council wish to procure a bespoke service it will follow the mini competition process as outlined in the Award Process Schedule 2 of the contract. For the avoidance of doubt the Council will not be obliged to commission any services under Lot 2. The are two Lots (1 & 2). All providers who join the Framework will join under Lot 1 and will automatically be eligible for Lot 2. Providers can only join Lot 2 by being eligible and successful to join Lot 1.
Notice type, method, and CPV codes
Financial information and value estimates
The contract period is four years.
Publication, submission, and award timeline
Current status of tender, lots, awards, and contracts
Buyer organisation and contact details
Supplier who was awarded this contract
External resources and data downloads
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector.
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