Tender

Cumbria Substance Use: Engagement and Recovery Support Service

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

30 Jan 2026 at 14:44

Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council, acting as the lead authority in collaboration with Westmorland and Furness Council, has initiated a procurement process for the Cumbria Substance Use: Engagement and Recovery Support Service. This service is part of a larger effort to address public health challenges related to substance misuse in Cumbria, aiming to provide comprehensive support through Recovery Hubs located in Carlisle, West Cumbria, Barrow-in-Furness, Penrith, and Kendal. The procurement is in the tender stage, with significant business opportunities involved, given its estimated maximum value of up to £24 million, excluding VAT. This open procedure invites submissions through the specified online platform, with the tender period closing on 5th March 2026 at 10:00 am and the enquiry period ending on 19th February 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the health and social care sector, particularly those specialising in addiction treatment, rehabilitation, and community health services. Companies equipped to deliver innovative, person-centred care are well-suited to compete in this initiative. The initial contract is particularly attractive to SMEs and VCSEs, offering a chance to engage in a project designed to improve public health while allowing potential growth and service expansion over its up to 10-year duration, pending performance and funding availability. Strong emphasis is placed on quality and social value, ensuring only high-standard service providers are selected to support Cumberland's public health initiatives.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Cumbria Substance Use: Engagement and Recovery Support Service

Notice Description

Cumberland Council is acting as lead authority on behalf of both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council to procure a contract for the provision of the Cumbria Substance Use: Engagement and Recovery Support Service, for a term of up to 10 years. The estimated total value of the contract over the total contract period (including any extension period) is a maximum value of up to PS24m excluding VAT, but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of the contract. The maximum budget available for the initial term is PS1,534,000 per annum excluding VAT. Westmorland & Furness Council may make available up to PS50,000 transformation funding, which is included in the advertised value. The transformation funding is not guaranteed and is subject to a Transformation Plan being agreed between Westmorland & Furness Council and the Service Provider. Details of current expenditure are indicative only. The Cumbria-wide Substance Use Service (formerly Addiction Services) has now been split into two separate contracts: the Engagement and Recovery Support Service and the Treatment Service. Both contracts will be procured by Cumberland Council on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, local authorities have a statutory responsibility for improving public health, which includes commissioning services that prevent harm and support recovery from substance misuse. This responsibility is reinforced by national guidance and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) commissioning standards. Substance misuse remains a major public health challenge in Cumbria, with high rates of drug- and alcohol-related deaths and significant health inequalities across the county. The Engagement and Recovery Support Service will be delivered through Recovery Hubs located in Carlisle, West Cumbria, Barrow-in-Furness, Penrith, and Kendal, supported by outreach and in-reach provision to ensure accessibility for rural and seldom-heard communities. The service will work collaboratively with the Treatment Service and wider system partners to deliver a person-centred, stigma-free, recovery-oriented system of care, ensuring continuity of support before, during, and after treatment episodes. The initial contract period is six years, running from 1st October 2026 to 30th September 2032. Two optional extension periods of up to 24 months each are available. If both extensions are utilised, the contract will end on 30th September 2036. Use of these extensions is entirely at the discretion of the Council.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract includes an option for up to two (2) extension periods, each of up to twenty-four (24) months in duration. Any such extension may be exercised subject to the Contractor's satisfactory achievement of all required outcomes and the continued availability of appropriate funding. Use of these extensions is entirely at the sole discretion of the Council and shall not be deemed guaranteed or implied.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061325
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008525-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

33693300 - Addiction treatment

85312500 - Rehabilitation services

85323000 - Community health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£24,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£24,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
5 Mar 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2032 Over 5 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
peopleprocurement@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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