Targeted Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (TCIAG)

The procurement contact named on the official notice.

Cumberland Council is procuring a 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.

For full details, refer to the Invitation to Tender and its appendices, including the Service Specification.

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 £2,500,000 excluding VAT.

The maximum contract value for year one is £500,000.

If the council implements the extension or any uplifts, 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.

You can access the tender documents on the council's online procurement portal, The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk You must be registered on The Chest to be able to view the opportunity and submit a tender.

Registration is simple and free on the above link.

Ensure you read and understand the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and all of its appendices before completing the tender documents.

Any clarification questions must be sent to the council via messaging on The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.

All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.