Planning

Targeted Careers Information Advice and Guidance Service

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

27 Feb 2026 at 16:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

13 Feb 2026 at 16:16

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

05 Feb 2026 at 15:22

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council is currently planning to procure a new contract for the delivery of its Targeted Careers Information, Advice, and Guidance Service, aimed at supporting young people aged 16-18, and up to age 25 for those with care experience or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This procurement process falls under the education and training services category, specifically targeting efforts to prevent young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). The process is in the planning stage, with market engagement activities scheduled to take place, including a virtual engagement session via MS Teams on 13th March 2026, and interest registration closing by 12th March 2026. Contracts will commence in January 2027 and could last for up to five years, extending possibly until 2032. This procurement is planned to be above the threshold of £3,000,000, with the contracting process governed by UK legislation (2023/54).

The upcoming tender presents significant business opportunities for service providers specialising in career advice and educational support, particularly those experienced in working with vulnerable youth. Cumberland Council shows an interest in engaging both current and prospective providers to contribute insights to refine the service specification. The potential contract favours Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), creating a promising landscape for businesses capable of delivering non-traditional educational programmes and guidance services. Participating in the preliminary market engagement sessions will enable enterprises to position themselves strategically, providing valuable feedback and potentially influencing the final service requirements, ultimately enhancing their growth prospects in this sector.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Targeted Careers Information Advice and Guidance Service

Notice Description

Cumberland Council is looking to procure a new contract for the delivery of its Targeted Careers Information Advice and Guidance Service in 2026 with the aim of new contract of up to 5 years commencing in January 2027. The Council is interested in hearing from current and prospective providers of similar services about their experience of relevant provision. This will inform the Service Specification. Providers could also be invited to at least two market engagement events prior to the launch of the Invitation to Tender.

Planning Information

To start the engagement process, the Council would welcome feedback within a short survey that can be accessed in the link below. https://forms.office.com/e/LWenxuNPvF Provider Engagement Session 13th March 2026 11am-12pm via MS teams To reserve a space on the provider engagement session please send an email to Joel Rasbash, Commissioning Manager using the following email address: Joel.Rasbash@cumbria.gov.uk A Microsoft Teams invite link will be sent to all providers who register an interest before the deadline (12th March 2026, 5pm.)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064932
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018132-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Jan 2027 - 9 Jan 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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