Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Cumberland Council
Cumbria House, 107 - 117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
Contact
Ms Allison Paterson
allison.paterson@cumberland.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 7867201769
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD1 - Cumbria
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/
Buyer's address
https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of Enhanced Residential Services for (Primarily) Working Age Adults with Disabilities and/or Mental Health Needs
Reference number
DN764386
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Cumberland Council is looking to procure a Framework for Provision of Enhanced Residential Services for (Primarily) Working Age Adults with Disabilities and/or Mental Health Needs. Residential care providers (current and new) are invited to submit a bid in order to be accepted on to the new Framework to deliver high quality services. Whilst it is not mandatory for providers joining the Framework to have a residential service within Cumberland, providers must have accommodation with an appropriate CQC registration. The aim of the Service is to enable people to maximise and maintain and (where possible) regain their independence. Providers will support individuals to be healthy and happy, to build and maintain relationships, to achieve goals and aspirations, to have choice and control and to participate and thrive in their local community, both inside and outside of the care home. Provision has been included to support use of the Framework by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENCICB) during the term of the Framework. Further discussions are being held with NENCICB around scoping access. For further information refer to Schedule 2 Service Specification.
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.
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.
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 framework will be ‘open’, which means that new providers can submit a bid to be considered via The Chest at any time over the initial two year period (and during the two extension periods if these are used). New bids will be assessed every two months after the initial round.
Funding is from Cumberland Council and NHS Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENCICB). The estimated value for the initial two year term of the Framework is £19.1m (excluding VAT) funded by Cumberland Council and £5.1m (excluding VAT) funded by NENCICB. The estimated total value for both parties combined for the initial two year term is £24.2m (excluding VAT). The estimated total value of the Framework Agreement for the initial term plus the two optional extension periods (if used) of up to twelve months each is:
• Cumberland Council - £39.8m (excluding VAT)
• NENCICB - £11.0m (excluding VAT)
• Cumberland Council & NECICB - £50.8m (excluding VAT)
Details of current expenditure are indicative only. The Council does not guarantee any spend against this Framework Agreement.
The Council proposes to enter into the Framework Agreement for an initial period of TWO years with the successful Tenderers from 1st May 2025 to 30th April 2027. There are TWO optional extensions of 12 months each. These optional extensions are at the absolute discretion of the Council. If these optional extensions are used, the framework will end on 30th April 2029. The council may, at its discretion, stop accepting bids to join the framework at any time. In this case, a notice will be sent out via the Chest to inform all prospective bidders.
For further details and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, use the council's online procurement portal - The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk. Registration on The Chest is free. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT. Any clarifications you have about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD1 - Cumbria
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 May 2025
End date
30 April 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
There are TWO optional extensions of 12 months each. These optional extensions are at the absolute discretion of the Council. If these optional extensions are used, the framework will end on 30th April 2029. If the extensions are not used the framework will end on 30th April 2027.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD1 - Cumbria
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 May 2025
End date
30 April 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
There are TWO optional extensions of 12 months each. These optional extensions are at the absolute discretion of the Council. If these optional extensions are used, the framework will end on 30th April 2029. If the extensions are not used the framework will end on 30th April 2027.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
21 March 2025
Local time
10:00am
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
21 March 2025
Local time
10:00am
Place
The electronic seal will be broken after the deadline on 21/03/2025 at 10:00am.
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure
Authorised staff from Cumberland Council will verify the bids.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
His Majesty's Court Service
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom