bid writing • bid management and strategy • tender support
Resources
Helpful links for your bid and tender submissions
1 / Simple explanation of what ‘social value’ is
A useful and basic explainer on what ‘social value’ is for the purposes of public sector contracts.
https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/what-is-social-value
2 / NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) – Social Value Policy
A document which sets out the NHS’ (at least for their Shared Business Services) thinking around social value. Bidders would do well to consider this (short) document which developing their offer around social value and reflecting in their bid submissions accordingly.
https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/app/uploads/Social-Value-Policy-March-2024.pdf
3 / PPN 06/20 – Policy document covering how social value should be taken account of in public procurement
A short and useful document aimed at (in-scope) contracting authorities (rather than bidders) explaining how social value should be taken account of in relevant procurements.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f6ccf89d3bf7f7237cf4015/PPN-06_20-Taking-Account-of-Social-Value-in-the-Award-of-Central-Government-Contracts.pdf
4 / NHS social value procurement guidance document (aimed at NHS procurement professionals)
A useful document aimed at NHS procurement professionals (rather than bidders) which describes how they should and could go about securing social value in the delivery of any NHS contracts in accordance with PPN 06/20.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2022/03/B1030-applying-net-zero-and-social-value-nhs-goods-and-services.pdf
Social value
Carbon Reduction Plans
1 / Carbon Reduction Plan – official template
Always look for the template provided in the procurement pack (e.g. ITT) or on gov.uk.
The template can be found on the following link:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6800e3930b24153af1e7c700/2025-04-16_PPN_006_Carbon_Reduction_Plan_Template.odt
2 / A useful (and official) ‘how to’ for completing carbon reduction plans
This document is a good starting point if you need help completing your carbon reduction plan.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b334c67c070e71525f5818/PPN_006_Technical_standard_for_Completion_of_Carbon_Reduction_Plans.pdf
3 / Technical standard for the completion of Carbon Reduction Plans
If you have more detailed questions about completing the Carbon Reuction Plan template then this document may have the answer you’re looking for.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppn-006-taking-account-of-carbon-reduction-plans-in-the-procurement-of-major-government-contracts/ppn-006-technical-standard-for-completion-of-carbon-reduction-plans-html
4 / Guidance on the reporting of Greenhouse Gas emissions
A document which sets out the standard for how organiastions should go about reporting and tracking their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This guidance document is referred to in the official policy note (PPN 006) and should be considered.
https://ghgprotocol.org/corporate-standard
5 / Some useful calculators for measuring your carbon footprint and Greenhouse Gas emissions:
Some useful calculators for calculating carbon and Greenhouse Gas emissions are included on the following page. Start here if you’re not already using a calculator you’re happy with (there are quite a few).
https://smeclimatehub.org/start-measuring/
6 / Official policy note (PPN 006) on Carbon Reduction Plans
PPN006 (originally issued in June 2021 as PPN 06/21) was updated in February 2025 to reflect changes to the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024) sets out how public bodies should take account of Carbon Reduction Plans:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6800e32d90d0846c19e287e7/2025-02-04_PPN_006_Taking_account_of_Carbon_Reduction_Plans.docx.pdf