How to write a social value tender response
A useful social value response explains what your business will deliver for this contract, why it meets the buyer’s selected outcomes and how it will be measured. Read the exact model, questions and scoring instructions before proposing activities. Check the resources and partner arrangements behind every commitment. The aim is an offer the client can approve and the delivery team can carry out, with evidence that will show what happened.
Before you start
Who this helps
- A supplier planning commitments for a live social value question
- A team reconciling a narrative response with a metrics workbook
- A business updating old social value answers for a new tender
Points to check
- There is no universal model or weighting across all public buyers.
- Do not count the same activity twice without a permitted basis.
- A partner’s involvement needs agreement before it becomes a firm promise.
Check the model and transition that apply
Use the tender’s stated requirements. As reviewed on 5 September 2026, central government policy is changing from PPN 002 to PPN 026. PPN 026 applies to specified central government bodies and covered procurements of at least £1 million including VAT, with exclusions; it is not a universal rule for all public buyers.
The new provisions apply to procurements starting on or after 1 January 2027, with earlier transition encouraged under the stated conditions. Minimum weighting is 10% from £1 million to below £5 million and 20% from £5 million; absolute evaluation methods use the relevant non-price score. Further guidance is due in autumn 2026. Check the published pack and current policy rather than assuming every tender requires the same 10% answer.
Translate the selected outcome into a delivery question
Identify what the buyer wants to change, the people or area concerned and the evidence expected. Read any local needs information and supporting definitions. Distinguish mandatory service requirements from the social value commitment according to the model being used.
For an employment-related outcome, ask which people would benefit, what opportunity you can provide and what barriers the activity is intended to address. For another model, the relevant outcome may concern environmental or community benefits. Do not import a favourite activity if it does not answer the selected criterion.
Choose commitments your business can resource
Discuss proposed activities with the colleagues who will deliver them. Check staff time, budget, location, facilities and any partner dependency. Where a community organisation or training provider is involved, confirm its willingness and capacity before naming it as an agreed delivery partner.
An illustrative commitment could be a defined number of supported work placements within a stated contract period, if the business has suitable work, supervision and a credible recruitment route. The number should come from the delivery plan, not from what appears impressive in the answer.
Explain the method behind each target
Describe how participants or beneficiaries will be reached, who owns delivery, what will happen and when. Explain how you will handle practical barriers, monitor progress and take corrective action if participation or delivery falls behind.
Keep the narrative consistent with any calculator or metrics workbook. Use the buyer’s definitions for units and counting. A placement, a training hour and a person supported are different measures; do not combine them into a total without a valid basis.
- Outcome and proposed activity
- Target, unit, period and counting definition
- Delivery owner, resources and partner status
- Evidence source, reporting frequency and corrective action
Show relevant proof without claiming future results as facts
Use past work to demonstrate that your organisation understands delivery and measurement. State the scope, period and your role. Explain what will carry over to this contract and what still needs to be established.
Separate previous performance, proposed targets and contractual commitments in the wording. If an activity has not been agreed or funded, resolve that before promising it. Check any allocation of benefits across contracts so the response does not overstate what this contract will deliver.
Obtain approval and prepare the handover
Have operations and finance confirm that the commitments can be delivered within the proposed price. Check the answer, workbook and wider tender for conflicting numbers or dates. The authorised client approver should accept the commitments before submission.
Keep a delivery register ready for the contract team, with the measurement method and responsible owners. Bidgen can help structure and review the response; a useful starting point is the social value question, model, workbook and a list of activities your business can realistically support.
Common questions
01Is social value always worth 10%?
No. The weighting depends on the buyer, applicable policy and tender. PPN 026 introduces different minimums for in-scope central government procurements from January 2027, with transition arrangements. Use the actual published evaluation.
02Can we reuse our existing corporate social responsibility statement?
Use relevant evidence from it, but answer the contract-specific question. Explain the proposed activity, beneficiary, delivery method, resources and measurement rather than presenting a general list of company initiatives.
03Can we promise a charity partnership before contacting the charity?
Do not present an unagreed arrangement as confirmed. Check the partner’s willingness, capacity and role, and obtain internal approval of the resources and commitment before submission.
04How detailed should the monitoring plan be?
Enough to show how the stated target will be counted, evidenced, reported and managed. Use the buyer’s requested format and ensure someone in the delivery team can operate the proposed process.