Scope
Description
Cumberland Council is acting as lead authority on behalf of both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council to procure a contract for the provision of the Cumbria Substance Use: Engagement and Recovery Support Service, for a term of up to 10 years.
The estimated total value of the contract over the total contract period (including any extension period) is a maximum value of up to £24m excluding VAT, but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of the contract. The maximum budget available for the initial term is £1,534,000 per annum excluding VAT.
Westmorland & Furness Council may make available up to £50,000 transformation funding, which is included in the advertised value. The transformation funding is not guaranteed and is subject to a Transformation Plan being agreed between Westmorland & Furness Council and the Service Provider.
Details of current expenditure are indicative only.
The Cumbria-wide Substance Use Service (formerly Addiction Services) has now been split into two separate contracts: the Engagement and Recovery Support Service and the Treatment Service. Both contracts will be procured by Cumberland Council on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council.
Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, local authorities have a statutory responsibility for improving public health, which includes commissioning services that prevent harm and support recovery from substance misuse. This responsibility is reinforced by national guidance and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) commissioning standards. Substance misuse remains a major public health challenge in Cumbria, with high rates of drug- and alcohol-related deaths and significant health inequalities across the county.
The Engagement and Recovery Support Service will be delivered through Recovery Hubs located in Carlisle, West Cumbria, Barrow-in-Furness, Penrith, and Kendal, supported by outreach and in-reach provision to ensure accessibility for rural and seldom-heard communities. The service will work collaboratively with the Treatment Service and wider system partners to deliver a person-centred, stigma-free, recovery-oriented system of care, ensuring continuity of support before, during, and after treatment episodes.
The initial contract period is six years, running from 1st October 2026 to 30th September 2032. Two optional extension periods of up to 24 months each are available. If both extensions are utilised, the contract will end on 30th September 2036. Use of these extensions is entirely at the discretion of the Council.
Total value (estimated)
- £24,000,000 excluding VAT
- £28,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2032
- Possible extension to 30 September 2036
- 10 years
Description of possible extension:
The Contract includes an option for up to two (2) extension periods, each of up to twenty‑four (24) months in duration. Any such extension may be exercised subject to the Contractor's satisfactory achievement of all required outcomes and the continued availability of appropriate funding. Use of these extensions is entirely at the sole discretion of the Council and shall not be deemed guaranteed or implied.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 33693300 - Addiction treatment
- 85312500 - Rehabilitation services
- 85323000 - Community health services
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
19 February 2026, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
5 March 2026, 10:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Each question carries a mandatory minimum score requirement of 50%. Any bid that fails to achieve at least 50% on any individual question will be deemed non‑compliant and rejected. |
Quality | 70% |
| Price | Price | 20% | |
| Social Value | Social Value question carries a mandatory minimum score requirement of 50%. Any bid that fails to achieve at least 50% on Social Value question will be deemed non‑compliant and rejected. |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
Provider engagement notice was published through the local authority procurement platform (the chest) since this is a NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR) procurement.
Contracting authority
Cumberland Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGX-9191-DYLV
Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government