We are seeing the need for more companies to articulate their social value when completing MOD tenders. If you are looking to improve your success in winning defence contracts, understanding how to embed social value into your bidding strategy is essential.
Social Value: Now a core part of defence procurement
Since the MOD adopted its Social Value Model, all suppliers are required to demonstrate how their work delivers positive impact beyond the contract itself.
That includes
- Job creation and skills development
- Supporting underrepresented groups
- Environmental sustainability
- Wellbeing and community support
- Innovation and economic resilience
In a competitive bidding environment, clearly articulating these outcomes can improve your chance of being considered.
Services Director, Harriet Wollerton explains more:
SMEs often deliver high-impact social value without even realising it – from supporting apprentices, to sourcing locally, to developing clean technologies and sustainable ways of operating. The challenge is making that value visible and measurable in your bid. When social value is presented well, it becomes a strategic differentiator.
Introducing the Social Value 101 Guide
To help SMEs navigate this space, the MoD, ADS and customers curated Social Value 101 – a concise and practical guide written specifically for smaller businesses operating in defence.
This guide helps you:
- Understand the MOD’s social value expectations
- Identify where your organisation already delivers social value
- Build social value into every stage of the procurement process
- Write stronger, evidence-based responses in bids
- Track, report and improve your impact over time
In short, it gives you a framework to strengthen your overall bidding strategy.
Social Value is more than just a tick box exercise, it’s a real opportunity to stand out and differentiate yourselves as well as aligning with MoD priorities. We encourage you to read the Social Value 101 guide to start tailoring your bids.
By following the framework outlined in the guide, you can start to build a stronger procurement bid.
Good luck.
