Framework and Services Agreement for the Provision of Agency Support for Cumberland Care

Cumberland Council has launched a procurement to establish a Framework and Services Agreement for the Provision of Agency Support for Cumberland Care, helping to address staffing shortages across its in-house adult social care services.

The procurement will establish a closed framework agreement, providing access to agency staffing for a range of Cumberland Care services. The Council has confirmed that there will be only one opportunity for suppliers to join the framework, with no additional providers admitted once the framework has been awarded.

Agency workers appointed through the framework will support a range of adult social care services, including residential care homes, reablement and domiciliary care, supported living, day services, extra care housing and Shared Lives schemes. These services support adults aged 18 and over with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health needs and age-related conditions, including dementia.

The framework will primarily be used to recruit Support Workers, Senior Support Workers and Registered Nurses, although additional roles may also be required. Providers must maintain sufficient capacity to respond to both planned and emergency staffing requests and provide a 24-hour, 365-day contact service.

Contract Information

Buyer: Cumberland Council

Deadline: 12 August 2026, 10:00am

Contract Value: £4,750,000 excluding VAT (£5,700,000 including VAT)

Delivery Length: 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2029 (30 months)

Tender Link: Click here

Framework Information

The framework will support staffing across:

• Residential care homes
• Reablement and domiciliary care
• Supported living services
• Day services
• Extra care housing
• Shared Lives schemes

The framework will primarily supply:

• Support Workers
• Senior Support Workers
• Registered Nurses

The Council has confirmed that:

• The framework is closed, with no further opportunities to join after award.
• There is no limit on the number of suppliers that may be appointed.
• Call-off contracts will be awarded through further competition.
• Providers must maintain capacity to respond to planned and urgent staffing requests throughout the year, including evenings, nights, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Price – 50%
• Quality – 40%
• Social Value – 10%

The Council has stated that bidders must achieve a consensus quality score above the minimum threshold for each quality question or their submission will be excluded.

Procurement Information

The procurement is being conducted using an Open Procedure.

The opportunity has been identified as being suitable for:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs)

The framework represents a significant opportunity for agency staffing providers supporting adult social care services across Cumberland, helping the Council maintain continuity of care and respond to fluctuating workforce demands across a wide range of regulated services.

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If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at editorial@dailyround.news