Opportunity

Early Education and Childcare Flexible Framework

  • Cumberland Council

F02: Contract notice

Notice reference: 2023/S 000-031001

Published 20 October 2023, 11:24am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Cumberland Council

Cumbria House, 107 - 117 Botchergate

Carlisle

CA1 1RD

Contact

Mrs Corrina McCleary Hill

Email

corrina.mccleary-hill@cumbria.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1228221039

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKD1 - Cumbria

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.cumberland.gov.uk/

Buyer's address

http://www.cumberland.gov.uk/

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=197a0306-f416-e811-80ea-005056b64545

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=197a0306-f416-e811-80ea-005056b64545

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Early Education and Childcare Flexible Framework

Reference number

DN325122

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85312110 - Child daycare services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

THIS IS NOT A NEW CONTRACT AWARD - THIS IS INFORMATION FOLLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

Local authorities have a legislative duty to secure free childcare places for eligible two, three and four year olds. Every child is eligible for up to 570 hours (1140 for families eligible for 30 hours free childcare per academic year over no fewer than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks of the year. Local Authorities have a duty to ensure that each child is able to access their free entitlement no later than the beginning of the term following the meeting of the eligibility criteria

On 01 April 2023, Cumbria County Council ceased to exist and is replaced by two new unitary authorities; Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.

The current countywide framework for Early Education and Childcare was due to end on 31st August 2023. This notice seeks to inform the replacement of Cumbria County Council to the two new authorities. New framework agreements from each authority were issued to existing providers and will be issued to new providers with effect from the 1st April 2023 which will reflect both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness new local authority footprints. From this time, each new council will manage the addition of new providers on to their framework.

Existing providers already on the framework do not need to re-apply to this framework. New providers can access the framework at www.the-chest.gov.uk or by contacting free.entitlement@cumberland.gov.uk or free.entitlement@waf.gov.uk

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKD1 - Cumbria

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

THIS IS NOT A NEW CONTRACT AWARD - THIS IS INFORMATION FOLLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

Local authorities have a legislative duty to secure free childcare places for eligible two, three and four year olds. Every child is eligible for up to 570 hours (1140 for families eligible for 30 hours free childcare per academic year over no fewer than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks of the year. Local Authorities have a duty to ensure that each child is able to access their free entitlement no later than the beginning of the term following the meeting of the eligibility criteria

On 01 April 2023, Cumbria County Council ceased to exist and is replaced by two new unitary authorities; Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.

The current countywide framework for Early Education and Childcare was due to end on 31st August 2023. This notice seeks to inform the replacement of Cumbria County Council to the two new authorities. New framework agreements from each authority were issued to existing providers and will be issued to new providers with effect from the 1st April 2023 which will reflect both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness new local authority footprints. From this time, each new council will manage the addition of new providers on to their framework.

Existing providers already on the framework do not need to re-apply to this framework. New providers can access the framework at www.the-chest.gov.uk or by contacting free.entitlement@cumberland.gov.uk or free.entitlement@waf.gov.uk

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

End date

31 August 2025

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

Optional extensions available detailed in the tender documentation.

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:

Open procedure using the light touch regime as per public contract regulations 2015.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

31 August 2025

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

31 August 2025

Local time

12:00pm


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

Her Majesty's Court Service

Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom