The council is procuring a Framework for the provision of Older Adults Residential and Nursing Care Services in Cumberland. As part of the new framework, the Council aims to support providers to meet the changing needs of the Cumberland population. All providers of Older Adults Residential and Nursing Care Services are invited to submit a bid to provide high-quality services which support older, disabled and vulnerable people in maximising their independence, promoting health and wellbeing and supporting them to remain safe and comfortable, whilst maintaining their individual dignity, privacy, freedom of choice and treating them with respect. Providers are asked to assure Service User wellbeing through the delivery of Service User Focused Outcomes, which have been developed in line with Care Act guidance. All providers who wish to be considered to join the framework should submit a bid before the stated deadline (see 2.1). The framework will be 'open', which means that new providers can submit a bid to join at any time over the initial 4 year period (and during the four extension periods if these are used). A notice will be uploaded to The Chest to explain the future bidding process for providers after the initial bid submission deadline (stated at 2.1) has passed. The council discourages speculative applications from out of county providers, as these will not be evaluated unless a placement is required. The Council reserves the right to close the Framework to new applications if in its opinion, there is good reason to do so. Where this discretion is used, the Council will notify its intention and the period which the Framework will be closed. In order to maintain high standards and ensure the safety of Service Users, the Council reserves the right to reject any applications from Providers who have a CQC rating below "Good" and/or have received negative feedback from other authorities or key stakeholders. Applications may still be considered on a case-by-case basis at the Council's discretion. Providers may be asked to provide supplementary information through the Councils Quality Improvement Process (QIP) The Framework Agreement includes requirements around delivery of Social Value and payment of the Real Living Wage to staff engaged in the delivery of Services. The Council shall review the contract term around the Real Living Wage annually. The Framework includes the provision for NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board ("the ICB") to purchase Residential & Nursing Care Services, subject to the ICB signing a Framework Access Agreement. The Cumberland Council potential spend on Residential & Nursing Care Services over the full 8-year term is estimated to be up to a max £600m. The initial period of the contract is 4 years. There are FOUR optional extensions of up to 12 months each. The use of these extensions are at the absolute discretion of the Council. The contract end date stated on this notice is where al