This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

29 Jul 2026 at 11:40

Tender

12 May 2026 at 15:42

PlanningUpdate

14 Apr 2026 at 12:07

PlanningUpdate

27 Feb 2026 at 16:26

Planning

13 Feb 2026 at 16:16

Planning

05 Feb 2026 at 15:22

Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council has successfully concluded the procurement process for the Targeted Careers Information, Advice and Guidance Service. The award stage was completed on 29th July 2026, with the contract set to commence on 10th January 2027. The process, initiated as an open procedure, was titled "Targeted Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (TCIAG)" and focuses on providing essential career services across the 8 Community Panel areas of Cumberland. The awarded contract with INSPIRA (01) will initially run for three years, with an optional extension of up to 24 months, potentially extending up to 9th January 2032. The total contract value for the initial term and any extensions is capped at £2,500,000 excluding VAT. The procurement falls under the education and training services category, with all milestones achieved as scheduled throughout the planning, tender, and award stages.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in education and training services, particularly those experienced in offering guidance to young people aged 16-18 or those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The procurement sought competitively positioned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a significant emphasis on quality and social value. Businesses with expertise in tracking educational participation and facilitating employment services would find this contract beneficial to their growth. The open procedure allowed for fair competition, encouraging multiple submissions, and indicating a responsiveness to innovative approaches within the service delivery framework.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Targeted Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (TCIAG)

Notice Description

Cumberland Council intends to award a contract for Targeted Careers Information Advice and Guidance Service to commence on 10th January 2027. The Provider will deliver the following activities across the 8 Community Panel areas of Cumberland: Provision of independent careers advice, information and guidance for target beneficiary groups beginning in Year 9 and progressing to 18 (or 25 in the case of EHCPs/SEND). Delivery of the Council's statutory requirements relating to the September Guarantee of all 16-17 having a suitable place of learning/training/employment (including tracking and reporting to DfE). Identification of 16-17-year-olds Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) Ensuring sufficient provision of education, employment and training. The council proposes to enter into the contract for an initial term of 3 years with the successful tenderer. There is one optional extension period available of up to 24 months. Use of the extension period is at the absolute discretion of the council. If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 9 January 2030. If the council implements the optional extension periods, the contract would end on 9 January 2032. The maximum contract value for the initial term, the optional extension period and any potential uplifts is PS2,500,000 excluding VAT. The maximum contract value for year one is PS500,000. If the council implements the extension or any uplifts, this will be confirmed in writing to the successful supplier in advance.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 9 January 2030. The contract value for the initial term is PS1,500,000 excluding VAT. If the council implements the optional extension periods, the contract would end on 10 January 2032. The maximum contract value for the initial term, the optional extension period and any potential uplifts stated in the contract is PS2,500,000 excluding VAT. If the council implements an extension or uplift, this will be confirmed in writing to the successful supplier in advance. If the services to be provided are VAT exempt then VAT cannot be charged by the successful supplier.

Planning Information

Provider Engagement Session 8th May 2026 10am-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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064932
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071668-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
11 May 2026Expired
Award Date
19 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
10 Jan 2027 - 9 Jan 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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
1
Supplier Name

INSPIRA (01

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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