PPN02: The revised UK Social Value Model: How will your bid response be evaluated?

The UK Government’s Social Value Model has been revised to align with the new national procurement policy statement (NPPS) and the Government’s five missions. “This is a really positive step. It provides directionality and re-positions social value as the market-shaping social policy mechanism it was intended to be.” says Sandra Hamilton, who has recently joined Stone King from the Manchester University Institute of Innovation Research. As part of Stone King’s public sector transformation consultancy team, Sandra will be working alongside Stone King Partner and public benefit lawyer Julian Blake to support contracting authorities in differentiating social value in competitive market purchasing, from the system stewardship approach needed to improve the design and delivery of public services.  

Outlined in Procurement Policy Note 002 (PPN 002) the Social Value Model (the model) has been updated to ensure that in-scope organisations can implement the Government’s new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS). While there is a grace period, using the model becomes mandatory for in-scope organisations on 1 October, 2025. Other contracting authorities, such as local government bodies, can also benefit from adopting this approach, which can be tailored to value what matters most in the context of people and place.  

The Social Value Model provides a menu of policy-aligned options from which in-scope organisations select the most appropriate model award criteria (MAC) and priority social value outcomes for their contract.  

For tendering organisations, here’s how your responses will be evaluated:-

Your responses will be evaluated using the Social Value Model and by following the Social Value Model Award Criteria (MACs) and the following additional award criteria:  

1. The response includes a specific, measurable and time-bound commitment  
   (minimum requirement to score points) 
2. The response includes a description of how the commitment meets the award criteria  
   (if not already identified by the in-scope organisation) 
3. The response includes a specific, nominated cohort, or details of how you will identify and define a target cohort (illustrative example: care leavers or prison leavers)* 
4. The response includes a description of how you will identify and reach the target cohort, as well as how you will design/refine and tailor the offer to the cohort* 
5. The response includes a description of how you will influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities (as appropriate) through the delivery of the contract to deliver the social value outcome, for example: engagement, co-design/creation, training and education, partnering/collaborating, volunteering* 
6. The response is transparent, detailing any plans for publishing your commitments and performance 
7. The response includes a timed project plan, setting out how you will implement your commitment and by when, including: 
   • a timed action plan; 
   • proposed metrics you will use to monitor the contract (if your offer relates to a metric listed in the Social Value Model, you should use the appropriate standard reporting metric); 
   • the tools/processes used to gather and monitor performance; 
   • governance details, including nominated escalation points; and 
   • details of the feedback and improvement procedures in place. 

NB: It is important to note here that defence contracts are no longer subject to the Social Value Model.   

*Stone King recommends developing long-term strategic relationships with VCSE delivery partners. 

Please do get in touch with either Sandra or Julian if you would like to work with us to maximise flexibilities, advance collaborative commissioning and demonstrate the art of the possible in public procurement.