🢂 THE BRIEF

When engaging with the UK public sector, our client, an international professional services firm, had come across several tenders that include social value based on the Social Value Model. In responding to these, our client had found their current social value offer and responses are successful in some areas (e.g. public policy when bidding into the DfT & DSIT, scoring 80%), but not successful in others, where scores for the same answers were approximately 50%.

Samtaler were appointed to support a framework tender opportunity issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), specifically the 2 social value questions covering Tackling Economic Inequality and the Environment, both questions accounting for 5% of the overall marks each (10% in total). The 2 social value questions in the bid were based on the Social Value Model, albeit tailored to the contract requirements so very different in approach to that seen before by the client.

Whilst our client operates as a responsible employer and supplier, they generally lack formal policies and processes often required as evidence of practice for social value responses, such as a policy incorporating procurement from SMEs, and are just at the point of considering setting up a cross-EU ESG group. As a result, the client had no central social value ‘offer’ collated to inform their tender response.

🢂 THE APPROACH

In the absence of formal policies or a central social value offer, our client provided previous responses to similar social value questions in previous bids. Samtaler reviewed the tender documentation to match the available responses and offers to the framework requirements, which due to the adaptation of the social value model questions for the tender, quickly identified a number gaps in the client offer. Samtaler were able to articulate where the requirements differed from solutions and give examples of the kinds of initiatives that were being sought. This enabled the Head of Pitches and Proposals and client Directors to identify details of alternative and much more relevant programmes

🢂 THE RESULT

In recognition of the confidence in the advice and support provided by Samtaler, our client requested we prepare and deliver a presentation to a cross-section of their European Directors on what was needed to create an effective ESG strategy for the firm.

“Working with Samtaler has been a great experience. You quickly understood our issue, communicated efficiently, guided us through the process well and provided us with helpful advice and many new insights. And you are a pleasure to work with!”

How we can help

From responding to social value questions to helping you make sure your bid stands out from your competitors without impacting on price, we are here to help commercial teams understand social value requirements and respond to complex questions and win contracts.

Reach out today via hello@samtaler.co.uk or read more about our Bid Writing and Design services