Including Social Value in Tenders
This guidance is for anyone bidding for contracts with the South Downs National Park Authority and may be particularly helpful for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It explains how to present a social value offer in a way that supports scoring under the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) approach.
Where social value is required, bidders are expected to include one social value offer only. This can be economic, social or environmental. Social value responses are assessed on relevance to the contract, quality of the proposal, and confidence in delivery.
What is Social Value?
Social value is the additional economic, social or environmental benefit you will deliver through the contract, over and above the core goods or services. To score well under MAT, your proposal should clearly explain what you will deliver, who will benefit, how it relates to the contract, and how delivery will be monitored.
What We Are Looking For
- A clear link between the social value offer and the subject matter of the contract
- A proportionate offer that reflects the size and capacity of your organisation
- Specific and measurable commitments rather than general statements
- Confidence that the offer is deliverable within the contract period
- Clear arrangements for monitoring and reporting delivery
Bidders are encouraged to focus on practical, proportionate actions, rather than proposing initiatives that add unnecessary cost to their organisation. Any costs associated with delivering social value should not be passed on to SDNPA.
Examples of Social Value Responses
The worked examples below demonstrate how a single social value offer can be clearly set out to support MAT scoring. They are illustrative only and should be adapted to the specific contract.
Example 1: Economic Social Value
Contract context:
A small local consultancy delivering ecological survey and advisory services across the South Downs National Park.
Example social value response:
As part of delivering this contract, we will provide the following additional social value:
- We will offer one two‑week work placement per contract year to a local college or university student studying ecology or environmental management. The placement will be directly linked to this contract and will involve supervised participation in field surveys and data analysis.
Delivery and monitoring:
The placement will be delivered within existing staff capacity during the contract period. Delivery will be evidenced through confirmation of placement completion and reported as part of routine contract monitoring.
Example 2: Social Social Value
Contract context:
A company bidding for a cleaning contract for South Downs National Park Authority offices.
Example social value response:
As part of delivering this contract, we will provide the following additional social value:
- We will support one local charity or community group by providing up to one day per contract year of staff time, free of charge, to assist with activities relevant to their needs, such as practical support or advice.
Delivery and monitoring:
The charity or community group will be agreed with the Contract Manager to ensure alignment with local priorities. Delivery will be confirmed through written confirmation from the organisation supported and recorded through contract monitoring.
Example 3: Environmental Social Value
Contract context:
An organisation delivering a works contract within the South Downs National Park.
Example social value response:
As part of delivering this contract, we will provide the following additional social value:
- We will organise one staff volunteering day per contract year to support a conservation task within the South Downs National Park. The activity will be agreed with the Contract Manager to ensure it supports local environmental priorities and the location of the works.
Delivery and monitoring:
The volunteering activity will be planned alongside contract delivery and delivered within existing staff capacity. Completion will be evidenced through confirmation of the activity and reported through contract monitoring.
Evaluation and Delivery
Social value will be evaluated in line with the Invitation to Tender using MAT principles. Proposals that clearly demonstrate relevance, measurable outcomes and deliverability will score more highly than broad or aspirational statements.
Any social value commitments made by the successful bidder will form part of the contract and may be monitored using key performance indicators (KPIs).