What social value means in public sector procurement

Social value is now a core part of public sector procurement. It goes beyond the goods or services being purchased to consider the wider social, economic, and environmental outcomes a contract can create. This could include creating jobs and skills, supporting SMEs and VCSEs, improving sustainability, promoting fair work, or delivering lasting benefits for local communities. The challenge is no longer defining social value. It is translating policy into practical, measurable commitments that are relevant to the contract and can be delivered and evidenced throughout its lifetime.

Why social value matters in tenders

Well-designed social value requirements help public sector organisations secure commitments that are relevant to the contract, proportionate to the opportunity, and realistic to deliver. Clear questions, evaluation criteria, and evidence requirements help buyers assess responses consistently and distinguish credible delivery plans from generic promises. Getting this right at the tender stage also makes social value commitments easier to contract, measure, and manage after award, reducing the risk that they lose momentum during delivery.

Delivering social value through procurement and supply chains

Social value works best when it's built into procurement from the start. We help UK public sector organisations embed social value throughout the procurement lifecycle, from defining the right outcomes to managing delivery after contract award.

Our approach turns policy into measurable outcomes by helping teams strengthen commercial capability, engage diverse suppliers, and embed sustainability into everyday procurement decisions.

Today's key challenges

Many organisations have the ambition to deliver social value. The difficulty lies in turning that ambition into measurable outcomes.

How we can help

The right outcome for the right contract

We help clients select outcomes that fit the contract and the supplier market, then translate them into questions, commitments, and evidence.

Our approach aligns social value strategy, commitments, and delivery with the current UK Government Social Value Model under PPN 002 and its five missions. We also help UK public sector organisations prepare for the transition to PPN 026, which applies to relevant procurements commencing from 1 January 2027. We turn proportionate outcomes into clear tender requirements, measurable commitments, KPIs, and performance measurement and reporting.

Kick-start economic growth

Make Britain a clean energy superpower

Take back our streets

Break down barriers to opportunity

Build an NHS fit for the future

Practical support across the procurement lifecycle

We help embed social value into procurement, from market engagement through to contract management and performance reporting. We support organisations where social value becomes real: strategy, sourcing, supplier engagement, contract management, and reporting.

Strategy and mission alignment: Define social value outcomes that are proportionate, measurable, and aligned to procurement objectives.
Tender design and evaluation: Embed social value into market engagement, evaluation, and procurement documentation. Supplier, SME, and VCSE engagement: Clarify expectations and strengthen supplier engagement across SMEs, VCSEs, and strategic suppliers.
Training and capability building: Create learning, mentoring, and knowledge-transfer materials for commercial teams.
Monitoring and governance: Establish governance, ownership, and reporting to sustain delivery after contract award.

Putting social value into practice at Efficio

Social value matters in how we operate as well as in the work we do with clients. Through our community volunteering activities, our people contribute their time and skills to organisations creating positive local impacts.

Delivering social value through procurement and supply chains

Today's key challenges