If you have previous experience tendering for work, there is good chance you have had to address your company’s social value commitments or proposed offerings.
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 states that Public Authorities are required to “have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with public services contracts; and for connected purposes”.
As an SME with a strong interest in the development of our local community, Klick Business Solutions welcome these regulations. However, what does it actually mean to bidders?
When undergoing a public procurement exercise whereby companies are invited to bid to provide goods/services, Councils will look to award contracts to the organisations that provide the ‘Most Economically Advantageous Tender’. However, as well as assessing the financial proposal and quality of the bidder’s quality methodology responses, it is also common practice for Local Authorities to assess the company’s social value proposals.
In this instance, they will be looking for bidders that can go beyond their normal contract obligations to secure wider benefits for the local community.
You may be asked to demonstrate your social value commitment and offering in regards to any of the following non-exhaustive list of examples:
Commitment to Economic growth
Social Outcomes
Environmental policies
Plans to realistically reduce your fuel and energy consumption.
Examples of how you work with the local community to support its most vulnerable members
Proposals to increase employment and training opportunities within the region
As with all tender responses you will need to be precise, realistic and give good examples of how you will deliver every pledge you propose. You will need to ensure that your Social Value commitments will not jeopardise your success is delivering a quality service or contract.
Most public sector organisations have a designated Community Benefits Officer who will be happy to talk to you about ways in which you can implement and monitor your Social Value input.
Should you require any help with answering your social value questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via georgina.bock@klickbusinesssolutions.co.uk.