Key Takeaways
- The Public Procurement Act 2023 introduces the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) principle.
- Commissioners now expect auditable, outcome-based evidence, not just activities or promises.
- Unsupported claims risk damaging credibility or disqualifying bids.
- Accreditation with the Social Value Quality Mark shows commissioners that organisations are committed to positive impact.
Public Procurement Is Changing
The Public Procurement Act 2023 is not just another policy update. It marks one of the most significant public procurement reforms in decades, placing social value alongside cost and quality in contract decisions.
Winning work is no longer about being the cheapest bidder. Commissioners want evidence of governance, transparency, and social impact measurement.
This is why the Social Value Quality Mark matters more now than ever before. As an independent verifier, it offers reassurance that suppliers are not only promising outcomes but can back them up with clear, auditable evidence.
What Does the Public Procurement Act Introduce?
The Public Procurement Act was passed in 2023 and its main provisions began in February 2025. It has now replaced the old EU-derived regulations and sets a new framework for public procurement in the UK.
One of the most significant changes to the Public Procurement Act of 2023 is the shift to the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) principle. MAT replaces the previous “Most Economically Advantageous Tender”. Instead of contracts going to the lowest bidder, they are awarded on overall value, balancing price, quality, and community benefits.
What else has changed?
- Simpler processes designed to open doors for SMEs and VCSEs
- A Central Digital Platform to publish notices and improve transparency
- A Procurement Review Panel to resolve disputes fairly and hold suppliers and buyers to account
- Stronger requirements for suppliers to publish performance, including social value KPIs, in the public domain
Why These Changes Are Good for Suppliers and Communities
The Public Procurement Act is not just about new rules and compliance. It is designed to make public spending work better for everyone.
For suppliers – the reforms create a more level playing field. Simplified processes and a central digital platform make it easier for SMEs and VCSEs to access opportunities that may once have been out of reach. This means more competition, more innovation, and greater diversity in the supply chain.
For communities – the changes ensure that contracts are awarded on more than cost alone. Commissioners can now place greater weight on outcomes that improve lives, strengthen local economies, and build long-term value.
For commissioners – the Act provides clearer tools to hold suppliers accountable and reduce the risk of overstated claims. Independent accreditation, such as the Social Value Quality Mark, plays an important role in giving them confidence that commitments are being delivered transparently and fairly.
What This Means for Social Value
The focus has shifted from activities to outcomes.
It is no longer enough to say how many hours were spent volunteering. Commissioners want to know the effect. Did those hours help people gain skills, improve wellbeing, or move into work? Did it result in more wealth being retained within the local economy?
This change raises the stakes. Claims made by organisations that cannot be evidenced may weaken bids or even disqualify them. Reliable measurement and independent social value verification are now essential.
Also, it’s not sufficient to design social value approaches in isolation. There’s greater emphasis on ensuring activities are genuinely wanted, needed and meaningful to communities. This requires strong engagement, consultation and collaboration – from the outset and throughout the contract.
How the Social Value Quality Mark Aligns with the Public Procurement Act
The Social Value Quality Mark provides independent verification that suppliers can meet these new expectations.
Its Nine Standards test whether organisations can:
- Plan by setting pledges, governance, and strategy
- Demonstrate delivery through outcomes and engagement
- Calculate value transparently, showing both positive and negative results
- Report in a way that is clear, consistent, and ready for audit
- Build and retain trust with employees, customers and community partners
Its role is to provide independent assurance for suppliers who are already delivering to these standards. And for those who aren’t, it offers the opportunity to transform culture, processes and delivery – organisations can ‘learn as they go’.
For those aiming at Silver, Gold, or Platinum, the Pre-Audit Service offers a practical readiness check. It reviews current evidence, highlights what is missing, and gives a roadmap to procurement readiness.
If you’d like to learn more about the full Nine Standards used in social value accreditation, visit our Nine Standards page.
How the Act and Social Value Quality Mark Work Together
| Act Requirement | How the Social Value Quality Mark Helps |
| Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) – including maximum community benefit | Confirms that organisational culture, processes, behaviours and delivery support social value creation – i.e. impact for local communities |
| Transparency and KPI reporting | Establishes Key Value Indictors (KVIs) for the tracking and measurement of commitments. Requires suppliers to publish reports into the public domain. |
| Evidence of stakeholder engagement | Awardees are required to conduct extensive engagement with suppliers, customers, employees and communities. It demonstrates that activities are based on genuine need. |
| Avoiding value washing | Ensures claims are evidence-based, transparent and balanced |
| Governance maturity | Tests board oversight, policies, and stakeholder engagement |
| Alignment to government policy and the Social Value Model | The SVQM aligns with the Public Procurement act, Social Value Model and all procurement notices. It also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
FAQs
What is the Public Procurement Act 2023 in simple terms?
It is the law that sets out how public contracts are awarded. Rather than focusing mainly on price, tenders are now judged on overall value, including measurable community benefit.
Why is the Act referred to as the “New Public Procurement Act”?
The Act was passed in 2023 but came into effect in February 2025. Because it has only recently replaced older rules, it is still described as the “new” Act while suppliers and commissioners continue to adjust.
What is the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) principle?
It means contracts are awarded based on overall value, balancing cost, quality, and community benefits.
How does the Act affect supplier bids?
Suppliers must be able to show social value delivery with transparent, auditable evidence. They must show greater evidence of engagement and consider ongoing contract management and continuous improvement. For larger contracts, the Act requires progress against commitments to be publicly reported. Unsupported claims can damage credibility or even disqualify a bid.
What role does the Social Value Quality Mark play under the Act?
It provides independent assurance that a supplier’s commitments and reporting meet recognised procurement standards.
Does accreditation give suppliers a competitive advantage?
Yes. Accreditation cannot guarantee a win, but it strengthens compliance and credibility, which improves chances of success.
What happens if a supplier makes unsupported social value claims?
Such claims may be treated as non-compliance. They can lead to exclusion from tenders and damage your organisation’s reputation and trust with commissioners.
How can suppliers prepare for compliance now?
By reviewing governance, pledges, and social value reporting practices. A Pre-Audit with the Social Value Quality Mark can help identify gaps before submitting tenders.
Ready to Meet the Expectations of the Public Procurement Act 2023?
The Public Procurement Act 2023 raises the bar for suppliers and opens the door for SMEs and VCSEs to compete on a more level playing field. Those who can demonstrate verified social value delivery will stand out.
Accreditation with the Social Value Quality Mark provides the independent assurance that buyers now expect. It gives commissioners confidence that your organisation can evidence outcomes transparently and meet the standards required under the Act, strengthening your position in competitive government tenders.
Learn more about why organisations apply for accreditation and how it can strengthen your bids.
See how each accreditation level supports compliance with the Procurement Act.
