Pulling together a tender bid means looking at your organisation through the eyes of the commissioner and demonstrating why you should be their first choice for a contract.
Being able to prove your competence and ability to deliver the contract are obviously important factors, but we are seeing other topical concerns becoming more of a focus and holding weight with decision makers, such as being able to demonstrate your carbon footprint or social impact/value.
The NHS has made no secret of the fact that it wants to become net zero and is calling upon its suppliers to evidence their credentials in tender bids.
Now we are seeing NHS tender documents ask for evidence in bids of a company’s social impact on people, places and the planet.
5 Factors to demonstrate social value in a tender bid
Factors such as ensuring sustainability, supporting local communities, and contributing to public health are also a must as the NHS has a legal obligation under the Social Value Act (2012) to consider the broader social impact of the goods and services it procures. Commissioners are increasingly interested in how you and your company contribute to healthier communities, reduce inequalities, and create positive economic impacts.
Here are a few of the main social value areas that are likely to be evaluated in an NHS tender:
1: Health and Wellbeing – Think about how your service or product will improve public health, or reduce the demand on an already stretched NHS. For example, will you be promoting physical activity, mental health support, reducing health inequalities, or something else? Will you be contributing to the goals of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) which aim to join up healthcare delivery across numerous sectors?
2: Employment and Skills – Make sure you’re able to demonstrate how your bid will support things like local employment, offering apprenticeships, or developing skills within the healthcare industry.
3: Reducing Inequalities – Your bid should show how you target underserved or vulnerable populations, and help reduce healthcare inequalities in line with the priorities of the NHS.
4: Environmental Sustainability – You should also be ready to demonstrate your efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and waste, and improve energy efficiency in healthcare delivery (especially in line with the NHS’s “Net Zero” goals).
5: Community Engagement – It will help your case if you’re also able to readily highlight any potential partnerships with local communities, charities, and voluntary organisations to support the healthcare system’s wider social goals like reducing isolation or improving public health literacy. Can you help reduce health inequalities, aligning with NHS England’s focus on reducing health disparities in various communities?
Build evidence to demonstrate social value
It’s one thing being able to say what you want to achieve, but it will mean very little without the evidence to support your goals. For example, making sure you include clear metrics and targets is key. If you know how many jobs you’ll create locally, or the percentage reduction in carbon emissions then include it. Have you achieved a relevant ISO accreditation you can include in the supporting evidence? Do you have any internal policies you can upload as part of your bid?
This isn’t the time to be shy, modest, or vague. Tell the commissioner about your best work/successes in the form of case studies, and make sure they align with the tender you’re bidding for.
It sounds silly but showing your commitment and strategy to achieving long-term impact will make a huge difference. It shows that you care about more than short-term gains. Highlight how you’ll monitor your performance during this period too. Will you supply regular reports as part your contract delivery?
Quantify and report social value
The above should serve as a ‘starter for ten’ however, you should make sure that any bid views social value not as an ‘add-on’ but rather sees it as central to your service delivery and the impact on communities. Suggest utilising tools such as a Social Value Calculator or the TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) framework to help quantify and report social value.
If you can provide a detailed, evidence-based demonstration of social value that naturally aligns with some of the NHS’ top priorities then you’ll find yourself in a much stronger position to win a tender. If you can think of the above in your next bid then you’ll not only benefit yourselves but also provide long-term benefits for patients and local communities too.
For more information on how you can tender for health and social care contracts with the NHS, contact us on 0330 133 8823 or info@klowconsulting.com.