Scope
Description
Provision of internal courier service. The Internal Courier contract is used to move a variety of items, securely, between Sites across the County and is seen as an essential service across many departments. This tender will have two contracts - one for Cumberland Council and one for Westmorland & Furness Council. The tender includes sites for Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority (CCFRA) and The Police Fire & Crime Commissioner for Cumbria (PFCC). The contract value is approximately £450,000 over 2 years
Total value (estimated)
- £450,000 excluding VAT
- £540,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027
- Possible extension to 31 December 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
There is the potential for contract extensions of up to 2 x 12 months, depending on both the success in achieving the required outcomes and availability of further funding.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 64120000 - Courier services
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
11 November 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
21 November 2025, 12:00pm
Electronic auction will be used
Yes
Submission address and any special instructions
The documents are 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 message area.
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 (DN791490) 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 an Westmorland and Furness Council are fully supportive of all aspects of diversity including ethnicity, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. In this respect Cumberland Council welcome an 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 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 this notice is only an estimate.
The initial contract term is for 2 years, with 2 optional extensions of up to 12 months each.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 50% |
| Price | Price | 40% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authorities
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
Westmorland and Furness Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYYD-1758-YNVR
South Lakeland House
Kendal
LA9 4DQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government