Social Enterprise Development Framework

Description

This framework tender document is being issued by Cumberland Council acting as the Accountable Body for Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership (CSEP). The activity being procured via this framework will cover the geographic areas covered by Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council, ie - the ceremonial county of Cumbria boundaries. At times this may be specific to one council’s area (or a portion of) or be “countywide”, depending upon the funder’s criteria. This framework is being procured to expand the range and volume of business support services which CSEP is able to offer to an ever-growing Social Enterprise sector. The services which CSEP will procure will help increase the number of start-ups and further support existing social enterprises to develop new products and services, improve governance and sustainability and will create additional, fulfilling employment for local people. Please see the Tender Documents for further information available via The Chest. https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ . For support using the Chest, please contact Proactis, using the Supplier Support area. For clarifications, please ensure all correspondence is via The Chest using the messages area. Lot 1: This framework tender document is being issued by Cumberland Council acting as the Accountable Body for Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership (CSEP). The activity being procured via this framework will cover the geographic areas covered by Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council, ie - the ceremonial county of Cumbria boundaries. At times this may be specific to one council’s area (or a portion of) or be “countywide”, depending upon the funder’s criteria. This framework is being procured to expand the range and volume of business support services which CSEP is able to offer to an ever-growing Social Enterprise sector. The services which CSEP will procure will help increase the number of start-ups and further support existing social enterprises to develop new products and services, improve governance and sustainability and will create additional, fulfilling employment for local people. Please see the Tender Documents for further information available via The Chest. https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ . For support using the Chest, please contact Proactis, using the Supplier Support area. For clarifications, please ensure all correspondence is via The Chest using the messages area. Additional information: Suppliers wishing to express an interest and obtain access to the tender documents should go to www.the-chest.org.uk and click on current opportunities from the navigation area on the left of the screen. On the next screen enter the contract Reference (DN717514) in the box labelled 'contains' then click search. Click on the Blue link for the contract title to view the opportunity. To express an interest you will need to login. If you are not already registered on the www.the-chest.org.uk you will need to return to the home page and click on Register. Register FREE link in the navigation area on the left of the screen. Registration is free of charge and your username and password will be emailed to you. Cumberland Council is fully supportive of all aspects of diversity including ethnicity, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. In this respect Cumberland Council welcomes expressions of interest from ethnic minority, disabled and other diverse business communities and the voluntary sector. Economic operators are therefore required to fully comply with all statutory obligations/applicable legislation and there will be a requirement to participate in the Authority's supplier audits on all aspects of diversity. The Contracting Authority expressly reserves the right: (i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and (ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; and in no circumstances will the Contracting Authority be liable for any costs incurred by the candidates. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers. The contracting authority reserve the right to use any electronic portal during the life of the agreement. The value provided in Section II.1.5 and Section II.2.6 is only an estimate.