Official UK procurement notice
The Supply and Delivery of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Workwear
Authority: Cumberland Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionCumberland Council are looking to establish a single-supplier Framework for the supply and delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Workwear. This will enable the Council to purchase PPE and workwear required to deliver day to day business, ensure statutory responsibilities are continued to be met and provide compliant, high-quality PPE and workwear to safeguard the workforce.
The Authority is seeking to appoint a supplier to deliver:
- A comprehensive range of PPE and workwear
- Reliable delivery across multiple depots
- High-quality, compliant and fit-for-purpose goods
- Value for money across the Framework lifecycle
The Framework is anticipated to commence on 1st April 2027 and will continue for a period of 4 year(s) or 48 months, unless terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Framework Terms and Conditions.
The estimated total value of the Framework over the total lifecycle is a maximum value of £3.5 million pounds but no guarantee is given as to the actual value of the Framework.
Any quantities shown within this ISIT, and any relevant documentation are estimated, and the Authority gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such quantities.
Any reference to a specific brand, manufacturer, trade name, model, product or process is included solely to indicate the level of quality, performance, functionality or compatibility required. The Council will accept equivalent products or solutions that demonstrably meet or exceed the stated requirements. Tenderers proposing an equivalent product must provide sufficient information to enable the Council to assess equivalence.
Delivery Specifics and Logistics - specified in Appendix B Specification - 5 sites across the foot print of Cumberland Council.
Suppliers will be expected to demonstrate their capability to deliver efficiently and reliably across all locations as part of the Framework Specification (requirements).
In accordance with the information set out above, the Authority is seeking to award a single (one) supplier Framework. The Authority reserves the right not to make an award at all, or to award more than one agreement.
The Authority may award the Framework based on a Tender submitted in accordance with the Tender documents. The framework awarded is subject to the formal approval process of the Authority.
Until all necessary approvals are obtained, and the standstill period completed, no agreement will be entered into. Once the Authority has reached a decision in respect of the award of the Framework, it will notify all Tenderers of that decision and provide for a standstill period in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 before entering any agreement.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT.
- How the procedure runs: This procurement will be conducted as a Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The procedure will comprise three (3) stages, as set out below. The Council considers product compliance, suitability, durability, service delivery and operational performance to be critical requirements of the Framework. The staged procedure is therefore designed to ensure that suppliers demonstrate their capability and that proposed products meet the Council's requirements before final pricing is requested and evaluated. Stage Description Outcome Stage 1 (one) Conditions of Participation, Quality and Social Value Questions. Conditions of Participation assessed on a pass/fail basis. Compliant Tenderers are evaluated and ranked on their Quality and Social Value scores. The four highest-scoring compliant Tenderers progress to Stage 2. Stage 2 (two) Sample Evaluation and Wear Trial Samples are assessed against mandatory compliance requirements and evaluated for quality and operational suitability. Tenderers meeting all mandatory requirements and the minimum Stage 2 threshold progress to Stage 3. Stage 3 (three) Pricing Submission Pricing is evaluated and added to the scores achieved at Stages 1 and 2 to identify the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT). Stage 1 (one): Conditions of Participation, Quality and Social Value Stage 1 will commence with the publication of the Tender Notice on the Central Digital Platform and the issue of this Invitation to Submit Initial Tender. At Stage 1, Tenderers must submit: a. the completed Procurement Specific Questionnaire and Conditions of Participation at Appendix A; b. responses to the Quality and Social Value questions at Appendix L; c. all other documents identified in the Stage 1 Submission Checklist. The Council will assess the Conditions of Participation on a pass/fail basis. A Tenderer that does not satisfy a mandatory Condition of Participation will not progress to the evaluation of its Quality and Social Value responses. Before determining that a Tenderer does not satisfy a Condition of Participation, the Council may seek clarification or additional evidence where it is lawful and appropriate to do so. Any clarification will be limited to clarifying or verifying information already submitted and will not permit the Tenderer to materially alter or improve its submission. Quality and Social Value responses submitted by Tenderers that have satisfied the Conditions of Participation will be evaluated in accordance with the assessment methodology set out in this ISIT.
CPV: Footwear · Garments · Occupational clothing, special workwear and accessories · Outerwear · Special clothing and accessories
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
- Places
- up to 1 suppliers
- Framework period
- 4 yrs from 1 Apr 2027
Published description of the framework
The Framework Agreement for the supply and delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Workwear will operate as a single-supplier closed framework for an initial period of four years. The appointed Supplier will provide a comprehensive range of PPE, workwear and associated support services in accordance with the Specification, Contract Terms and Pricing Schedule. The Council will place orders on an as-required basis throughout the term of the Framework and does not guarantee any minimum volume or value of expenditure.
Orders may be placed by authorised Council departments and delivery locations in accordance with the Framework requirements. The Framework is intended to provide a compliant, consistent and cost-effective route for the procurement of PPE and workwear whilst supporting operational requirements, product standardisation, stock management and supply chain resilience.
Prices for core PPE and workwear products will be established through the competitive procurement process and set out within the Pricing Schedule forming part of the Framework Agreement. Tenderers will submit fixed prices for the specified core basket of products, together with any proposed discounts applicable to non-core items. Evaluation of pricing will be undertaken using the methodology described in the procurement documents, with the lowest compliant core basket price receiving the maximum available score and other prices scored comparatively.
The prices submitted by the successful Supplier shall remain fixed for the first twelve (12) months of the Framework Agreement. Thereafter, any price adjustments will be managed strictly in accordance with the price review provisions set out in the Framework Agreement. Any proposed increase or decrease shall be linked to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) or such other mechanism specified within the Contract and must be supported by appropriate evidence. The Council reserves the right to review and challenge any proposed price variation and may reject increases that cannot be satisfactorily justified.
In addition to the agreed core product pricing, the Supplier may offer additional products outside the core catalogue. Pricing for such non-core items shall be determined by applying the tendered discount against the Supplier's published list price or catalogue price, as defined within the Framework Agreement. The Supplier must maintain transparency in relation to non-core pricing and provide supporting information where requested by the Council.
The Framework is intended to deliver value for money throughout its duration by combining fixed core pricing, controlled price review mechanisms, competitive discounts on non-core products, ongoing contract management and regular catalogue review to ensure that products remain fit for purpose, commercially competitive and aligned to the Council's operational requirements.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedWhat it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published award criteria (3)
- Quality
- Price
- Social Value
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “The Supply and Delivery of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 1 suppliers, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 1 Feb 2027
- First published
- 29 Apr 2026, 16:39 BST
- Last source update
- 24 Sept 2026, 11:57 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 1 Feb 2027
- Authority reference
DN817705- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-090509- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-068e6aFind a Tender
- How it runs
This procurement will be conducted as a Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The procedure will comprise three (3) stages, as set out below.
The Council considers product compliance, suitability, durability, service delivery and operational performance to be critical requirements of the Framework. The staged procedure is therefore designed to ensure that suppliers demonstrate their capability and that proposed products meet the Council's requirements before final pricing is requested and evaluated.
Stage Description Outcome
Stage 1 (one) Conditions of Participation, Quality and Social Value Questions.
Conditions of Participation assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Compliant Tenderers are evaluated and ranked on their Quality and Social Value scores. The four highest-scoring compliant Tenderers progress to Stage 2.
Stage 2 (two) Sample Evaluation and Wear Trial Samples are assessed against mandatory compliance requirements and evaluated for quality and operational suitability. Tenderers meeting all mandatory requirements and the minimum Stage 2 threshold progress to Stage 3.
Stage 3 (three) Pricing Submission Pricing is evaluated and added to the scores achieved at Stages 1 and 2 to identify the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
Stage 1 (one): Conditions of Participation, Quality and Social Value
Stage 1 will commence with the publication of the Tender Notice on the Central Digital Platform and the issue of this Invitation to Submit Initial Tender.
At Stage 1, Tenderers must submit:
a. the completed Procurement Specific Questionnaire and Conditions of Participation at Appendix A;
b. responses to the Quality and Social Value questions at Appendix L;
c. all other documents identified in the Stage 1 Submission Checklist.
The Council will assess the Conditions of Participation on a pass/fail basis. A Tenderer that does not satisfy a mandatory Condition of Participation will not progress to the evaluation of its Quality and Social Value responses.
Before determining that a Tenderer does not satisfy a Condition of Participation, the Council may seek clarification or additional evidence where it is lawful and appropriate to do so. Any clarification will be limited to clarifying or verifying information already submitted and will not permit the Tenderer to materially alter or improve its submission.
Quality and Social Value responses submitted by Tenderers that have satisfied the Conditions of Participation will be evaluated in accordance with the assessment methodology set out in this ISIT.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 26 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Appointment period ends
- 26 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 9 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
The documents are available via The Chest - 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 message area.
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 (DN817705) 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 are fully supportive of all aspects of diversity including ethnicity, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. In this respect Cumberland Council welcome an 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 this notice is only an estimate.
The contract term is for 48 months.
Timeline
29 Apr 2026 → 1 Apr 2027 · 7 dates- Planning notice published182 days ago29 Apr 2026, 16:39 BST
- Market engagement174 days ago7 May 2026, 23:59 BST
Cumberland Council have a requirement for the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Workwear for use by Cumberland departments such as Highways, Waste, Parking, Port of Of Workington, Parks, Grounds Maintenance etc.
This will be a single supplier framework through a competitive flexible procedure. The supplier will need to be able to supply all items on the product list.
The contract will be for a period of 4 years.
The Council will be carrying out an online session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 7th May 2026 at 3pm to 4pm to further outline the opportunity. This will be available for all prospective suppliers.
Please confirm email addresses via the 'messaging area' on The Chest (www.the-chest.org.uk ↗) if you would like to secure a space, a maximum of 2 from each organisation. These must be received before Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 4.00pm
- Tender notice published35 days ago24 Sept 2026, 11:57 BST
- Clarification questions by19 days ago9 Oct 2026, 17:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends3 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown26 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Today29 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 95 days1 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 153 days1 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 29 Apr 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published29 Apr 2026, 16:39 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published24 Sept 2026, 11:57 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £3,500,00024 Sept 2026, 11:57 BSTwas £3,000,000
- Status changed to active24 Sept 2026, 11:57 BST
- Procurement method changed24 Sept 2026, 11:57 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: All tender tender documents will be uploaded and are to be returned via the portal, www.the-chest.org.uk project DN817705
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender