Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Westmorland and Furness Council
South Lakeland House, Lowther Street
Kendal
LA9 4DQ
UK
Contact person: Ms Lisa Measures
Telephone: +44 1228226456
E-mail: lisa.measures@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
NUTS: UKD
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.the-chest.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.the-chest.gov.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Early Education and Childcare Flexible Framework
Reference number: DN710203
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
THIS IS NOT A NEW CONTRACT AWARD - THIS IS INFORMATION FOLLOWING LOCAL
GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
Local authorities have a legislative duty to secure free childcare places for eligible two, three
and four year olds. Every child is eligible for up to 570 hours (1140 for families eligible for 30
hours free childcare per academic year over no fewer than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks of
the year. Local Authorities have a duty to ensure that each child is able to access their free
entitlement no later than the beginning of the term following the meeting of the eligibility
criteria
On 01 April 2023, Cumbria County Council ceased to exist and is replaced by two new
unitary authorities; Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.
The current countywide framework for Early Education and Childcare was due to end on 31st
August 2023. This notice seeks to inform the replacement of Cumbria County Council to the
two new authorities. New framework agreements from each authority were issued to existing
providers and will be issued to new providers with effect from the 1st April 2023 which will
reflect both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness new local authority footprints. From
this time, each new council will manage the addition of new providers on to their framework.
Existing providers already on the framework do not need to re-apply to this framework. Newproviders can access the framework at www.the-chest.gov.uk or by contacting
free.entitlement@cumberland.gov.uk or free.entitlement@waf.gov.uk
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
THIS IS NOT A NEW CONTRACT AWARD - THIS IS INFORMATION FOLLOWING LOCAL
GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
Local authorities have a legislative duty to secure free childcare places for eligible two, three
and four year olds. Every child is eligible for up to 570 hours (1140 for families eligible for 30
hours free childcare per academic year over no fewer than 38 weeks and up to 52 weeks of
the year. Local Authorities have a duty to ensure that each child is able to access their free
entitlement no later than the beginning of the term following the meeting of the eligibility
criteria
On 01 April 2023, Cumbria County Council ceased to exist and is replaced by two new
unitary authorities; Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.
The current countywide framework for Early Education and Childcare was due to end on 31st
August 2023. This notice seeks to inform the replacement of Cumbria County Council to the
two new authorities. New framework agreements from each authority were issued to existing
providers and will be issued to new providers with effect from the 1st April 2023 which will
reflect both Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness new local authority footprints. From
this time, each new council will manage the addition of new providers on to their framework.
Existing providers already on the framework do not need to re-apply to this framework. New
providers can access the framework at www.the-chest.gov.uk or by contacting
free.entitlement@cumberland.gov.uk or free.entitlement@waf.gov.uk
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
31/08/2025
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Optional extensions available detailed in the tender documentation.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
31/08/2025
Local time: 13:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
31/08/2025
Local time: 15:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Her Majesty's Court Service
London
WC2A2LL
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
06/02/2024