Why social value could become your biggest differentiator

Probably not, but it’s rapidly becoming relevant for buyers evaluating competitive tenders.

And here’s why.

Under the New Procurement Act 2023, and mandatory since 1 October 2025, public sector organisations in the UK must ask bidders about their social value commitments using the government’s Social Value Model. Yes, this is public sector, but private organisations are quickly adapting their bidding approaches to require insight on social value too.

In fact, social value questions can make up part of the bid score.

What is social value?

Every business can create an impact beyond its core purpose of delivering goods and services. This is what your social value is. Typically, it involves things you do that provide lasting value to your local area, your community, and the environment.

This may include creating jobs, using local suppliers, reducing your carbon emissions, or helping local people through volunteering and support.

Simply donating money to a cause is not considered a social value. Instead, focus on the activities and initiatives you and your colleagues undertake to enhance the impact of your company. They don’t have to be extravagant, but they must add genuine value.

Buyers are looking to understand the impact a company would have on winning a particular bid. Your response will therefore be much stronger if you can highlight, for example, the additional jobs in the region you’d create or the impact you’d make on the local community as a result of winning the bid.

Comments Pete Coyle, CEO and Founder of BiD Masters: “We’re starting to see social value move from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a decisive factor in bids. But many bid teams don’t know where to start when translating good intentions into measurable commitments evaluators relate to and score positively. While many businesses have maintained social value commitments for years, now's the time to showcase them as a differentiator for success.”

How to answer a social value question

With many buyers adding a social value question to bids, and assigning a score to it, taking time to develop a suitable answer could impact your ability to win the contract.

While your answer will depend on the question specifics, you may find the following tips helpful. 

• Understand exactly what the question is asking for
• Avoid generic statements such as “we care for our local community”
• Specifically explain how you’re delivering social value
• Offer measurable commitments (e.g. number of hours given, outcome expected)
• Be realistic about what you can achieve so your response feels real
• Include any evidence of success to date
• Be clear your social value commitment is at no additional cost to the buyer

How BiD Masters delivers social value

In addition to helping our clients bid with confidence, BiD Masters is involved in several social value projects. One example is West Sussex-based charity, Greenpower Education Trust.

Greenpower makes a difference to more than 10,000 young people every year. We’re proud to be its volunteer fundraising partner, in addition to our MD, Pete Coyle, being a Trustee.

Inspiring young people around the world to excel in science, technology, engineering and maths through a unique challenge – to design, build, and race an electric car – Greenpower hosts over 30 regional events and an annual International Final, supporting around 700 UK teams.

Using our bidding skills, we help Greenpower apply for grant funding and secure sponsorship so it can continue inspiring the younger generation for decades to come. We’ve committed 100 hours of fundraising support free of charge in our current financial year.

“Supporting such a worthy Sussex-based charity is incredibly rewarding for us, and our skills align perfectly with their fundraising needs. It seemed like the perfect fit,” said Pete.

Need help showcasing your social value?

It’s smart to prepare your social value documents and supporting evidence ahead of your next bid. That way, your process becomes easier and there’s no last-minute rush to find what you need.

Should you welcome support with this, or any aspect of bid preparation, please do get in touch and we’d be happy to help.

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