What is social value in a tender?
2 min read · Prepared by TenderChecker
Short answer
Social value means the wider economic, social and environmental benefits you commit to deliver through the contract, such as local jobs, apprenticeships, volunteering or reducing emissions. In many UK public tenders it is a scored question.
Key points
- ✓Wider economic, social and environmental benefits from the contract
- ✓Often a separately scored question
- ✓Commitments must be relevant, measurable and deliverable
Make it relevant
Link commitments to the buyer's priorities and the contract itself, not unrelated activity.
Make it measurable
State what you will do, how much, by when and how you will report it. Only commit to what you can afford to deliver.
What evaluators look for
- Commitments linked to the buyer's own priorities
- Clear quantities, timescales and owners
- How progress will be reported
Quick self-check before you submit
- ☐ Buyer's social value priorities identified
- ☐ Each commitment has a number, date and owner
- ☐ Costs of commitments reflected in your price
Key terms on this page
- Social value
- The wider economic, social and environmental benefits a supplier commits to deliver through a contract, often scored as a separate question.
In-depth guides
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More questions
General guidance only, not legal advice. Always follow the buyer's own tender documents.