This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Jun 2026 at 09:46

Tender

12 Dec 2025 at 11:59

Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council has successfully completed the procurement process for Enforcement and Collection Agency Services, focusing on recovery services for Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments, and accounts receivable debts. The process was categorised under services within the public authority sub-central government industry and took place in the United Kingdom, particularly the UKD12 region. The open procurement method led to the appointment of two suppliers, NEWLYN PLC and DUKES BAILIFFS LIMITED. This contract, valued at £1.92 million, commenced on 1 July 2026, with an initial period of two years and the possibility of two 12-month extensions. The procurement stage concluded with the award on 3 June 2026, initiating a voluntary standstill period until 16 June 2026.

This tender presents expansive growth opportunities for businesses specialising in collection agency services and related sectors. Suitable for SMEs, the competitive procurement process accommodated five final stage bids, including three from SMEs. Companies that demonstrate proficiency in fair and transparent debt recovery operations, while promoting community wellbeing, are ideally positioned to compete for such contracts. The availability of extensions further enhances long-term engagement prospects, supporting sustained business development and the potential for future collaborations with public authorities like Cumberland Council.

How relevant is this notice?

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 July 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. Upon publication of this Contract Award Notice (UK6), Cumberland Council will commence a voluntary standstill period of eight working days. As this is a below threshold procurement there is no legal requirement to include standstill however as per the provision in the Invitation to Tender one is being included to align with the broader principles of public procurement law, such as transparency, equal treatment, and non-discrimination. The voluntary standstill period will conclude on the 16th June 2026.

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f4b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052203-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jun 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Jun 20261 months ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

DUKES BAILIFFS

NEWLYN

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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