Improving Social Value in Technology Procurement
techUK's Public Services Board (PSB) in partnership with Henham Strategy, is delighted to publish this report which articulates industry's concerns about how the policy for social value is operating within central government technology procurement.
Social value has been a requirement in public sector procurement since 2013, and a determinant of public procurement outcomes since 2020. Great progress has been made by central government in its understanding of how best to procure data and technology solutions, however techUK members are concerned that the current social value model is not delivering on the government's objectives.
While the policy might be easily applied in some sectors of the government's supply chain, this report notes that there is a nuance required for its application in the tech sector.
techUK's Central Recommendation
The Public Accounts Committee and National Audit Office should undertake a full evaluation of how the social value model is performing against its objectives and providing value for money. Any such assessment should look at the ease with which different sectors are able to deliver social value objectives.
The industry and techUK members currently believe there is inconsistent understanding, application and commitment to the policy by procuring authorities. This not only impacts on supplier confidence in the appropriateness and faireness of tender specification and evalutation, it also leaves suppliers concerned that social policy outcomes will not be delivered.
The challenges and opportunities for social value
Prevailing social value procurement challenges include the lack of…
- A clear understanding and application of social value. For example, COVID-19 is still published as a key social value consideration for buyers – it should be removed.
- A clear framework for measuring and evaluating social value.
- Guidance on how to integrate social value into procurement processes.
- Meaningful engagement between officials and suppliers to identify social value criteria that are tech sector relevant, measurable and deliverable.
- Appropriate specification of social value requirements within tender requirements and monitoring the delivery of social value elements for tech goods and services.
- Consistency of approach across departments.
- Parliamentary scrutiny of social value.
Social Value procurement opportunities include…
- The growing support and interest in social value from the tech industry.
- The increasing availability of data and metrics on social value.
- The development of new tools and techniques for measuring and evaluating social value.
- The growing recognition of the importance of social value by politicians and civil servants.
“Social value is a policy that all members of techUK’s Public Services Board support. The companies we represent all wish to bring wider and deeper value and social impact to our UK communities, addressing societally important issues in ways that best harness the strengths of the UK’s tech sector. This report succinctly captures where supplier challenges and concerns exist alongside those opportunities to improve implementation. Early pre-procurement engagement and through contract life collaboration between procuring authorities and suppliers is key. Our board is therefore pleased that a joint Cabinet Office and techUK Social Value committee is working together to improve policy adoption and implementation by procurers and suppliers alike.”
“The prize for getting social value in tech procurement right will both have greater positive impact across the Government’s social value priorities, because of a more cohesive approach, and will also see the lowering of social value as a barrier to greater SME involvement in public procurements. This report serves to government the first step to get the Social Value Framework right. We will continue to work closely with both government and our members to ensure we address the challenges the sector currently faces.”
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
Ellie Huckle
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2015
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx
Austin Earl
Austin Earl
Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.
With a career spanning technology, policy, media, events and comms, Austin has worked with technology communities, as well as policy leaders and practitioners in Education, Central and Local Government and the NHS.
Cutting his teeth working for Skills Matter, London’s developer community hub, Austin then moved to GovNet Communications where he launched Blockchain Live and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Summit. For the last 3 years he has worked with leaders in Education across the state and independent schools sectors, from primary up to higher education, with a strong research interest in technology and education management.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07891 743 932
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/
Annie Collings
Annie Collings
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- anniecollings24
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
- Email:
- [email protected]
