How to Deliver Social Value on Facilities Management Contracts
4 min readBy Kim FraterPublished 2026-07-27
“I believe public procurement shouldn’t be complicated. Every guide I write explains the process in plain English so you can bid with confidence.”
Hi, I’m Kim. If you’re new to public procurement, don’t worry, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know in plain English.
Facilities management contracts are about much more than maintaining buildings.
They’re about creating safe, clean, efficient and welcoming environments where people can work, learn, receive healthcare or access public services.
That means facilities management providers have countless opportunities to create wider benefits for the organisations and communities they serve.
The challenge isn’t finding social value opportunities.
It’s identifying the ones that are most relevant to the contract and explaining them clearly within your tender response.
Think About the People Behind the Building
Facilities management isn’t really about buildings. It’s about the people using them every day. Before writing your social value response, think about questions such as:
- Who uses the building?
- What challenges does the local community face?
- How can this contract improve people’s experience?
- Which of the buyer’s priorities can we genuinely support?
The answers often reveal the strongest social value opportunities.
Recruit and Retain Local People
FM contracts often create long-term employment across multiple disciplines. Recruit locally wherever practical. Support apprenticeships. Create progression opportunities. Help people build long-term careers rather than simply filling vacancies.
Create Multi-Skilled Employees
Facilities management naturally encourages employees to develop broader skills. Support staff through additional training that allows them to progress into supervisory, technical or management roles. Career development creates lasting value for both employees and clients.
Invest in Apprenticeships
Facilities management covers numerous professions. Examples include:
- Cleaning
- Security
- Engineering
- Plumbing
- Electrical Maintenance
- Administration
- Facilities Management
Apprenticeships help address skills shortages while supporting local employment.
Support Local Supply Chains
FM providers purchase a wide range of products and services. Where you can:
- use local suppliers
- engage local SMEs
- encourage subcontracting opportunities
- support local manufacturers
This spreads economic benefit beyond your own organisation.
Reduce Environmental Impact
Facilities management plays a major role in sustainability. Examples include:
- reducing energy consumption
- improving recycling
- reducing waste
- sustainable procurement
- water conservation
- reducing single-use plastics
Explain how these initiatives will be monitored throughout the contract.
Improve Building Wellbeing
Well-managed buildings contribute to healthier workplaces. This may include:
- improved indoor environments
- hygiene standards
- wellbeing initiatives
- healthier working conditions
The benefit extends beyond the contract itself.
Support Community Projects
Facilities teams often possess practical skills that community organisations value. Consider opportunities such as:
- volunteering
- community improvement projects
- supporting local charities
- sharing maintenance expertise
These initiatives create meaningful local benefits.
Promote Inclusive Employment
Ensure recruitment practices encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds. Consider:
- flexible working
- accessible recruitment
- supporting under-represented groups
- creating opportunities for people returning to work
An inclusive workforce benefits both employees and clients.
Improve Health and Safety Awareness
Facilities management professionals often have specialist knowledge. Consider sharing expertise through:
- safety awareness events
- fire safety guidance
- workplace wellbeing sessions
- environmental awareness campaigns
Sharing knowledge is often as valuable as financial contributions.
Support Education
Partner with local schools, colleges or universities. Offer:
- work experience
- careers talks
- mentoring
- site visits
- apprenticeship awareness
These activities help develop future talent.
Encourage Employee Wellbeing
Employees are your greatest asset. Support them through:
- wellbeing programmes
- mental health awareness
- flexible working
- employee assistance
- professional development
A supported workforce delivers a better service.
Improve Contract Accessibility
Think about how the services you deliver can become more accessible. This might include:
- accessible communication
- inclusive customer service
- supporting vulnerable users
- improving wayfinding
Small improvements often make a significant difference.
Share Performance Transparently
Report both operational performance and social value achievements. Examples include:
- local recruitment initiatives and numbers
- apprenticeship numbers
- training hours achieved
- carbon reductions made against a baseline
- local supplier spend
- volunteering activity
Transparent reporting builds trust throughout the contract.
Build Long-Term Community Partnerships
Rather than supporting one-off initiatives, look for opportunities to build relationships with local organisations throughout the life of the contract. Long-term partnerships often deliver greater value than isolated events.
Measure Everything You Promise
Every commitment should answer four simple questions:
- What will we do?
- Who benefits?
- How will we deliver it?
- How will we measure success?
If you can answer those questions, you’ll produce a much stronger social value response.
Keep It Relevant to the Contract
Facilities management covers a wide range of services, so there’s no single social value template that works for every opportunity. A hospital contract may focus on patient wellbeing and accessibility. A university may prioritise skills, apprenticeships and sustainability. A housing association may place greater emphasis on community engagement and local employment.
Always tailor your commitments to the organisation, the contract and the people who will benefit from your service.
My Final Thoughts
Facilities management providers have an opportunity to create value every day, not only by maintaining buildings, but by improving the lives of the people who use them.
Whether that’s creating local jobs, reducing environmental impact, supporting education or strengthening community partnerships, social value should be a natural part of the service you deliver.
The strongest responses don’t promise everything.
They focus on a small number of relevant, measurable commitments that demonstrate a genuine understanding of the buyer’s priorities and the community they’ll be serving.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has made public procurement a little easier to understand.
Kim Frater
Founder, Bid Trawler
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