Social Value

The wider economic, social, and environmental benefits that a public contract delivers in addition to its primary goods, services, or works. Social value considerations may include creating employment and skills opportunities, supporting small businesses and local communities, improving environmental sustainability, promoting equality and inclusion, enhancing community wellbeing, or reducing carbon emissions. In UK public procurement, contracting authorities often evaluate social value as part of the award criteria, requiring suppliers to demonstrate how they will generate measurable benefits throughout the contract. Bidders should ensure that social value commitments are realistic, evidence-based, and aligned with the buyer’s stated objectives, as they may form part of the contractual obligations and ongoing performance monitoring.