How to win: Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

About this contract

HAF Provider Engagement: Future Payment Options Cumberland Council is exploring a new approach to commissioning HAF activities from Summer 2027 onwards. The application process for Easter 2027 will remain unchanged and will follow the current arrangements. To help providers prepare for future changes, we will be holding two information sessions. The first stage of the new application process is likely to open in November 2026. Invitations to these sessions will be sent separately with meetings scheduled for the 8th October and 3rd November. We strongly encourage all providers to attend so that you can understand the proposed process, ask questions, and provide feedback. A HAF pre market engagement survey to engage with providers was sent out via the Council's e-procurement portal (The Chest). Please use the survey to share your views and explain how different payment arrangements could affect your organisation. This feedback will be essential in helping us develop a fair and practical approach for future HAF commissioning. Responses to be submitted by 7th October 2026. For further details and to access the survey link use the council's online procurement portal - The Chest - http

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — Cumberland Council scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓Lead with evidenced capability and social value — for services work these usually outweigh price.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar services contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: deadlines are tight and a strong bid takes iteration.

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