Tender

Enforcement and Collection Agency Services

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Dec 2025 at 11:59

Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council has issued a tender inviting businesses to provide Enforcement and Collection Agency Services explicitly focused on the recovery of Council Tax and Business Rates, as well as collection services for Housing Benefit Overpayments. This process falls under the services category, particularly noted by the CPV code for Collection Agency Services. The procurement is an open competition with below threshold concession contracts slated to commence on 1 April 2026, lasting for an initial period of two years with the possibility of two 12-month extensions, depending on performance outcomes. Interested parties must submit their tenders by 26 January 2026, with the enquiry period closing on 14 January 2026. The initiative aims to bolster community wellbeing by ensuring fair enforcement outcomes, with contracts distributed equally between two successful suppliers. The procurement procedure is managed by Cumberland Council, located in Carlisle, and embodies their commitment to diversity and inclusion across all potential suppliers.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in collection services to expand their expertise and market impact within the United Kingdom. With an estimated contract gross value of £1,920,000, the project invites Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and diverse businesses to participate and contribute to Cumberland’s strategic objectives, including safeguarding vulnerable residents. By complying with statutory obligations and participating in diversity audits, businesses can position themselves for collaboration with Cumberland Council, promoting your services in public authority settings and securing a sustainable footprint through the opportunity’s reliable contract term and potential extensions. Moreover, providers offering additional value in aspects like quality and social value will find a favourable ground for competition, enabling them to elevate their standing and influence in public procurement sectors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Enforcement and Collection Agency Services

Notice Description

Cumberland Council is seeking to appoint two Enforcement Agencies to provide recovery services for Council Tax and Business Rates and collection services for Housing Benefit Overpayments and accounts receivable (sundry) debts on behalf of the Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing Directorate. Work under the contracts is to be distributed based on fifty percent allocation of the available caseload. The successful suppliers will support the Council's strategic priorities by ensuring fair, transparent, and proportionate enforcement that promotes community wellbeing and safeguards vulnerable residents. The below threshold concession contracts (contract) are anticipated to commence on 1 April 2026 and will continue for an initial period of two years, unless terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. There is an option for the Council to extend the duration of the contract for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, subject to successfully achieving the required outcomes.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is an option for the Council to extend the duration of the contract for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, subject to successfully achieving the required outcomes.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f4b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082402-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79940000 - Collection agency services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Dec 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
26 Jan 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.enabling@cumbria.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA1 1RD
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
TLD1 Cumbria

Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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