Tenders are no longer awarded solely on price and technical capability. In today’s procurement environment, social value has become a decisive factor. From government contracts to corporate procurement, buyers are actively rewarding bids that deliver measurable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) outcomes, demonstrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and create tangible community impact.
But what does that mean for your bid writing process?
It means you must go beyond box-ticking. You need to tell a compelling, data-driven story of social responsibility that is seamlessly integrated into your proposal.
In this in-depth guide, we break down exactly how to craft high-scoring responses to social value questions – and embed those principles across your bid.
Social value is not a soft, feel-good add-on; it’s a measurable part of how your service benefits society beyond the contract’s direct outcomes.
Procurement teams often assess social value across:
Governments use frameworks like the UK’s Social Value Model, and corporates align bids with internal ESG objectives. Your proposal must reflect this landscape.
Treat social value like any other scored deliverable. Ask:
Then, map out your approach. Don’t simply append a generic CSR paragraph. Instead, show:
Example: Rather than “We aim to hire locally,” say: “We will deliver 120 employment hours per month to long-term unemployed candidates through our partnership with [local agency]. This will be tracked and reported quarterly.”
Social value shouldn’t live in a silo. To score well, integrate it into:
Buyers want to see social value as a natural part of your operations—not an afterthought.
Scoring depends on specificity. That means:
Tip: Use past results to show a track record. Case studies that quantify impact add major credibility.
At Ask a Bid Writer, we follow a tested model for crafting compelling social value content:
Situation – Action – Impact – Evidence
This four-part format helps communicate value clearly while aligning with scoring rubrics.
Here’s a snapshot from a recent winning bid:
“We will commit to reducing 40 tonnes of carbon annually by replacing fleet vehicles with electric models. Partnering with [Local Energy Trust], we will report reductions via monthly usage audits.”
This ticks every box: targeted, local, measurable, and verifiable.
Clients are seeking suppliers who care about more than profit. Those who embed ESG, DEI, and community values into their bid win more than points—they win trust.
If you’re unsure how to present your organisation’s social value in a compelling and commercially strategic way, we’re here to help.
At Ask a Bid Writer, we specialise in crafting winning social value narratives that match your real-world capabilities with your buyer’s expectations. From ESG frameworks to DEI storytelling, we help you turn your values into scoring content.
Book a consultation today and let’s win your next bid—together.
1. What counts as social value in tenders?
Anything that benefits the wider community or environment beyond the contract’s scope: local jobs, green practices, DEI, volunteering, etc.
2. How should I structure a social value response?
Use the Situation-Action-Impact-Evidence model. Stay specific, measurable and aligned with buyer priorities.
3. Do I need different content for each bid?
Yes. Reuse your library, but tailor each response to the buyer’s values, region, and contract scope.
4. What if we haven’t done much social value work yet?
Start small. Offer pilot initiatives, propose partnerships, and set achievable impact goals.
5. Is social value only for public sector bids?
No—corporates also assess social impact, especially in ESG-driven procurement.
EN_US 
EN