Key Takeaways
- Public tenders are assessed on price, quality, and increasingly, social value.
- Social value counts for at least 10% of scores, and in many cases up to 30% – points that suppliers can’t afford to lose.
- Evaluation teams scrutinise supplier claims for credibility and supporting evidence.
- Unsupported or vague tender statements risk low scores and possible exclusion.
- Buyers place value on policy alignment, local economic value, measurable outcomes, transparent reporting and ongoing monitoring.
- Independent accreditation with SVQM provides assurance, strengthens trust, and improves competitiveness.
Understanding the Tendering Landscape
Public contracts are awarded through a structured tendering process that ensures transparency, fairness, and value for money. For suppliers, tenders are a vital route to securing long-term contracts and building strong relationships with commissioners.
Tender responses are assessed by procurement teams which may include contract managers, procurement officers, and subject specialists. Their role is to ensure public money is spent wisely, legally and in ways that add maximum value – social, economic and environmental. The evaluation process typically balances three factors: price, technical quality, and increasingly, social value.
Contract evaluation has evolved. Commissioners now expect suppliers to show not only how they will deliver goods or services but also the wider benefit their organisation creates for people, communities, and the environment.
How Tender Evaluation Works
Tender evaluation follows published criteria, usually split between commercial (price), quality and social value. Other factors such as environmental impact, innovation and risk management/delivery also come into play . The exact balance varies depending on the contract, with social value accounting for a minimum 10% within central government procurements.
In practice, Social Value Business often sees weightings of 30%+ in favour of social value. Procurement teams also check for compliance, seek clarifications, and provide detailed feedback.
Multi-disciplinary evaluation teams review responses to ensure consistency and fairness. For suppliers, this means every claim made in a tender response is closely examined and scored. Credibility is therefore essential if social value is to strengthen the overall bid.
Why Credibility Is Now Critical
Promises alone no longer carry weight in public procurement. Commissioners are looking for social value tender responses that can withstand scrutiny. Credibility is established when suppliers demonstrate that their commitments are supported by evidence, embedded in governance, and capable of being independently verified.
Without credible evidence, suppliers face lower scores and the risk of exclusion. More importantly, unsupported claims can damage long-term trust with commissioners.
What Buyers Expect in Social Value Tender Responses
When reviewing tenders, buyers want confidence that suppliers are serious about delivery. This requires several elements:
- Policy alignment: Authorities look for responses that align with the government’s Public Procurement Act and Social Value Model and that address local wants and needs. Many councils publish strategies or social value policies for supporting thriving communities, tackling crime and deprivation, improving the environment and supporting people into jobs and skills.
- Holistic social value: A credible response links directly to an organisation’s core operations, activities and culture, showing that commitments are embedded, structured and not ad hoc. [Explore the Nine Standards]
- Evidence-based reporting: Citing a robust and independently verified social value report provides commissioners with reassurance that outcomes have been achieved and documented. For large contracts, reporting progress is now mandatory. [Read What Is Meant by Social Value]
- Outcome-based focus: Measurable results such as improved skills, employment, or wellbeing are valued more highly than activities alone. Councils also look for evidence that spend will be retained within local communities – supporting local businesses and households. [See How to Calculate Social Value]
- Engagement: Tenders which show proactive collaboration with voluntary sector, charities, social enterprises (VCSEs) or micro businesses may achieve higher scores. The new Act aims to open up extra opportunities for these entities.
- Transparency: Balanced reporting that includes both positive and negative outcomes signals maturity and accountability.
- Monitoring & Improvement: Under the new Act, there is greater focus on monitoring and scrutiny through the lifecycle of a contract. Suppliers should show they have the governance and processes to continually assess progress and make improvements where needed.
In practice, a credible social value tender response is one that links to policy, demonstrates measurable outcomes, and provides transparent evidence of delivery.
The Risks of Weak or Unsupported Statements
Weak or unsupported statements can have serious consequences.
- Overclaiming, also known as value washing, can lead to non-compliance and exclusion.
- Reporting only on activities without outcomes results in weak evaluation scores.
- Omitting references to policies or reports suggests a superficial or ‘broad brush’ approach.
- Lack of independent verification reduces trust in delivery.
- Failing to engage communities and stakeholders risks social value approaches that are not needed, wanted or meaningful.
Unsupported claims may be treated as non-compliance, which can harm both reputation and long-term opportunities with buyers.
How SVQM Strengthens Tender Credibility
Social Value Quality Mark provides suppliers with a nationally recognised framework for credibility in procurement.
- Social value accreditation verifies that an organisation’s culture, approach, processes and delivery support positive social impact.
- SVQM’s Impact Assured mark independently verifies value claims across a specific time period or contract.
- Audit credibility ensures evidence will stand up to external scrutiny.
- Pre-Audit Service helps suppliers identify gaps before submission and prepare for success.
- Verified outcomes give commissioners confidence that claims are genuine and measurable.
- Procurement readiness is demonstrated through structured governance and independent assessment.
By presenting the Social Value Quality Mark in a tender, suppliers show that their social value commitments are verified outcomes rather than untested promises.
Accreditation is progressive, meaning each level builds on the last to create a stronger evidence base. This progression gives procurement teams confidence that your organisation is not only compliant today but also committed to maturing its social value delivery over time.
What Accreditation Demonstrates to Buyers
Social Value Quality Mark accreditation signals to procurement teams that a supplier is contract-ready and reliable. It demonstrates:
- Audit credibility through an independent and rigorous process.
- Supplier compliance with recognised procurement standards.
- Governance maturity that embeds social value in core decision making.
- A commitment to genuinely meaningful, collaborative approaches with stakeholders at the centre.
- Confidence in contract evaluation and delivery throughout the lifecycle of the agreement.
This reduces buyer risk and strengthens trust, making tenders more competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tender response?
A tender response is a supplier’s formal submission that explains how they will meet the requirements of a tender, backed by evidence of capability and added value.
Does SVQM accreditation guarantee tender success?
No. It strengthens credibility and trust, but contract awards still depend on wider evaluation criteria.
Why is credibility so important in social value tender responses?
Because commissioners need assurance of delivery. Evidence-based claims build trust and improve evaluation scores.
Why reference a social value policy in tenders?
It shows that social value commitments are embedded in governance, not written for a single bid.
What role do social value reports play in tender credibility?
They provide transparent evidence of outcomes already delivered, which reassures evaluators.
How does SVQM accreditation align with public procurement requirements?
It evidences procurement readiness, transparency, and delivery of verified outcomes in line with evaluation expectations. It signals that an organisation has been independently assessed for its commitment to beneficial business practices that drive value for society.
Build Tender Confidence with SVQM
Credibility in tendering is not only about scoring well in evaluation. It is about earning lasting trust with commissioners who need assurance that your commitments will stand up to scrutiny. SVQM accreditation shows that your organisation is independently verified, procurement ready, and committed to delivering measurable outcomes.
