1. The Chest
Supplier Guide
December 2015

2. Introduction
For tendering of contracts, Cumbria County Council use an electronic tendering portal called 'The Chest'. The Chest is a web based system and anyone that has access to the internet and can use it. Suppliers can register for free online to receive updates on opportunities that match their capabilities. The system can be accessed from anywhere at anytime and allows the flexibility for tendering to be done electronically.

3. The Chest The North West's Local Authority Procurement Portal
42 Authorities utilise The Chest, from Wirral to Lancashire up to Cumbria
Powered by Due North
Pro Contract Version 3 upgrade took place November 2015

4. Registration
Click on register free

5. Click on register

6. Registration
The wizard will then take you through a few pages of inputting company information

7. Registration
Once registered you will receive a log in user name and password
On first log in you will need to change your password and set your memorable information
You will be asked for characters from your memorable password on leach log in

8. Logging in Click on ‘Suppliers Area’ to Log in
Supplier Help is available here

9. Logging in
Click on log in

10. Enter User Name and Password

11. Enter Memorable Information

12. Homepage
View notifications
Update details
Check Workgroup details

13. Categories View notifications
Opportunities page can be filtered to add categories of interest

14. Select From List
View notifications

15. Expressing an Interest
View notifications
Click on Register interest

16. Registering an Interest
You will then receive an to confirm registration
Go to ‘My activities’ and the opportunity will be visible

17. Viewing documents View messages View documents
Register intent to respond
Start your response

18. Response Wizard
Response Wizard will take you through each step to respond
Check the deadlines for requesting and then returning tender documents/completing online Questionnaire
You can amend your response up until the deadline
Please ensure you leave enough time to upload. There is zero tolerance on late bids

19. Help View notifications
All help articles and video tutorials available from Home page

20. Thank You