Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Cumberland Council
Cumbria House, 107 - 117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
Contact
Ms Emma Jane Gordon
emmajane.gordon@cumberland.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 7554407945
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
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=34610874-35bd-ef11-8133-005056b64545
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=34610874-35bd-ef11-8133-005056b64545
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
Provision of Apprenticeship Training and Assessment Framework
Reference number
DN756307
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Cumberland Council is committed to investing in apprenticeships as a vital pathway for empowering residents and fostering economic growth. By offering accessible opportunities, we aim to enhance skills, promote career development, and create a skilled workforce that supports the health, wellbeing, and resilience of our communities. Our apprenticeship initiatives play a key role in addressing local skills gaps and ensuring all residents can contribute to and benefit from a thriving local economy.
Our workforce planning strategy focuses on developing a skilled, inclusive workforce through apprenticeships and career pathways. By prioritising inclusive recruitment and collaborating with local educational institutions, we aim to fill skill gaps and meet future service delivery needs. Through mentorship, career development opportunities, and a focus on retention, we are building a sustainable pipeline of talent to support the Council's long-term goals. Our values of ambition, collaboration, compassion, innovation, and empowerment guide this work, ensuring that apprenticeships are integral to the Council's transformation and success.
Please see the Tender Documents for further information available via The Chest.
https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ .
For support using the Chest, please contact Proactis, using the Supplier Support area.
For clarifications, please ensure all correspondence is via The Chest using the messages
area
The contract term is a maximum of 6 years, this is based on an initial 4 year term plus 2
optional extension of up to 12 months.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £15,000,000
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
Cumberland Council is committed to investing in apprenticeships as a vital pathway for empowering residents and fostering economic growth. By offering accessible opportunities, we aim to enhance skills, promote career development, and create a skilled workforce that supports the health, wellbeing, and resilience of our communities. Our apprenticeship initiatives play a key role in addressing local skills gaps and ensuring all residents can contribute to and benefit from a thriving local economy.
Our workforce planning strategy focuses on developing a skilled, inclusive workforce through apprenticeships and career pathways. By prioritising inclusive recruitment and collaborating with local educational institutions, we aim to fill skill gaps and meet future service delivery needs. Through mentorship, career development opportunities, and a focus on retention, we are building a sustainable pipeline of talent to support the Council's long-term goals. Our values of ambition, collaboration, compassion, innovation, and empowerment guide this work, ensuring that apprenticeships are integral to the Council's transformation and success.
The contract term is a maximum of 6 years, this is based on an initial 4 year term plus 2
optional extension of up to 12 months.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 20
Price - Weighting: 10
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
72
This contract is subject to renewal
No
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
22 January 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
22 January 2025
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
Cumberland Council is committed to investing in apprenticeships as a vital pathway for empowering residents and fostering economic growth. By offering accessible opportunities, we aim to enhance skills, promote career development, and create a skilled workforce that supports the health, wellbeing, and resilience of our communities. Our apprenticeship initiatives play a key role in addressing local skills gaps and ensuring all residents can contribute to and benefit from a thriving local economy.
Our workforce planning strategy focuses on developing a skilled, inclusive workforce through apprenticeships and career pathways. By prioritising inclusive recruitment and collaborating with local educational institutions, we aim to fill skill gaps and meet future service delivery needs. Through mentorship, career development opportunities, and a focus on retention, we are building a sustainable pipeline of talent to support the Council's long-term goals. Our values of ambition, collaboration, compassion, innovation, and empowerment guide this work, ensuring that apprenticeships are integral to the Council's transformation and success.
Suppliers wishing to express an interest and obtain access to the tender documents should
go to www.the-chest.org.uk and click on current opportunities from the navigation area on
the left of the screen. On the next screen enter the contract Reference (DN756307) in the
box labelled 'contains' then click search. Click on the Blue link for the contract title to view
the opportunity. To express an interest you will need to login. If you are not already
registered on the www.the-chest.org.uk you will need to return to the home page and click
on Register. Register FREE link in the navigation area on the left of the screen. Registration is
free of charge and your username and password will be emailed to you.
Cumberland Council is fully supportive of all aspects of diversity including ethnicity,
race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. In this respect Cumberland Council
welcomes expressions of interest from ethnic minority, disabled and other diverse business
communities and the voluntary sector. Economic operators are therefore required to fully
comply with all statutory obligations/applicable legislation and there will be a requirement
to participate in the Authority's supplier audits on all aspects of diversity.
The Contracting Authority expressly reserves the right:
(i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by
publication of this notice; and
(ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering
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competition; and in no circumstances will the Contracting Authority be liable for any costs
incurred by the candidates. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract
award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers.
The contracting authority reserve the right to use any electronic portal during the life of the
agreement.
The value provided in Section II.1.5 is only an estimate.
The contract term is a maximum of 6 years, this is based on an initial 4 year term plus 2
optional extension of up to 12 months.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England
London
Country
United Kingdom