As social value continues to move from a “nice to have” to a core evaluation criterion in UK public procurement, the TOMs framework has become one of the most widely adopted methodologies used by local authorities to assess social value commitments.
For organisations bidding into public sector contracts, particularly at local authority level, understanding how TOMs work, and how responses are evaluated, is critical to developing competitive high-scoring submissions.
What Are TOMs?
TOMs stands for Themes, Outcomes and Measures. It is a structured framework designed to standardise how social value is defined, delivered, and evaluated within public procurement.
- Themes represent the overarching priorities (e.g. Jobs, Growth, Environment, Innovation).
- Outcomes describe the specific changes or benefits that contracting authorities want to achieve.
- Measures provide quantifiable indicators that bidders can commit to delivering.
Each measure is typically linked to a financial proxy value, allowing contracting authorities to translate social value commitments into a monetised figure.
How Did TOMs Come About?
The TOMs framework was developed by the Social Value Portal (now operating as Social Value UK’s commercial arm) in response to the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, which requires public bodies to consider how procurement can improve economic, social, and environmental wellbeing.
While the Act initially lacked standardisation in how social value should be assessed, TOMs emerged as a practical solution, providing:
- A consistent methodology across authorities
- A defensible, auditable approach to valuation
- A mechanism to embed local priorities into procurement.
Over time, TOMs has been widely adopted by local authorities, combined authorities, and other public bodies, often with localised adaptations to reflect regional priorities.
How TOMs Is Typically Used in Tender Evaluation
In most tenders, social value is weighted between 10% and 30% of the total evaluation score, though this can vary.
The TOMs framework is usually applied through two key components:
1. Quantitative Commitments (Measures)
Bidders are required to select relevant TOMs measures and provide forecasted delivery values over the contract term.
Examples might include:
- Number of local jobs created
- Apprenticeships offered
- Volunteering hours contributed
- Carbon emissions reduced.
Each commitment is multiplied by an assigned proxy value to generate a Total Social Value (£) figure.
However, it’s important to note:
- Higher values do not automatically guarantee higher scores
- Commitments must be credible, deliverable, and contractually relevant.
2. Qualitative Method Statements
Alongside the numeric commitments, bidders are typically required to submit a method statement explaining:
- How social value commitments will be delivered
- Governance and accountability structures
- Monitoring and reporting mechanisms
- How delivery aligns with local needs and priorities.
This is often where bids are won or lost.
How Responses Are Scored
While scoring methodologies vary between authorities, most TOMs-based evaluations follow a blended approach:
Quantitative Scoring
- Scores may be awarded based on the relative value of commitments compared to other bidders
- Some authorities use a proportional scoring model, where the highest value receives full marks and others are scored relative to it
- Others may apply thresholds or caps to avoid inflated or unrealistic commitments
Qualitative Scoring
Qualitative responses are usually assessed using standard evaluation criteria such as:
- Relevance: Alignment with local priorities and contract scope
- Credibility: Evidence that commitments can realistically be delivered
- Additionality: Demonstration that outcomes go beyond “business as usual”
- Measurability: Clear KPIs and reporting mechanisms
- Legacy: Long-term benefits beyond the contract period.
Evaluators are increasingly scrutinising whether social value is:
- Embedded into operational delivery (rather than treated as an add-on)
- Supported by past performance or case studies
- Backed by clear ownership within the organisation.
Common Pitfalls in TOMs Responses
Despite its structured nature, many bids underperform due to avoidable issues:
- Overpromising: Inflated figures that lack delivery credibility
- Generic responses: Lack of local tailoring or specificity
- Weak methodology: Insufficient detail on how commitments will be achieved.
What Good Looks Like
High-scoring TOMs responses typically demonstrate:
- A clear line of sight from commitment to delivery
- Strong alignment with local authority priorities
- Robust governance and reporting frameworks
- Evidence of track record and capability
- Thoughtful consideration of long-term impact and legacy.
How We Deliver High-Scoring TOMs Responses
At Beacon Advisory Group we have a strong track record of supporting clients to achieve full marks on social value responses within competitive public sector tenders.
Our approach goes beyond simply completing TOMs calculators. We focus on developing credible, contract-specific strategies that resonate with evaluators and stand up to delivery scrutiny.
Our Approach
We support clients across the full lifecycle of a TOMs response:
- Commitment selection
Identifying the most relevant and high-impact TOMs measures aligned to both the contract and local authority priorities as well as organisational capacity - Robust proxy values
Developing realistic, evidence-based commitments that are competitive without being inflated or risky - Compelling qualitative narratives
Crafting method statements that clearly articulate how social value will be delivered, managed, and measured - Governance and delivery planning
Embedding social value into operational structures, with clear ownership, KPIs, and reporting frameworks - Evidence and differentiation
Strengthening responses with case studies, delivery examples, and demonstrable track record.
Why It Works
Our success in achieving top scores is driven by a clear principle: alignment between promise and delivery.
We ensure that every commitment made is:
- Rooted in operational reality
- Aligned to client capability
- Clearly evidenced
- Directly relevant to the contracting authority’s priorities.
This not only maximises evaluation scores but also positions our clients as credible, low-risk delivery partners.
Final Thoughts
The TOMs framework has brought much-needed consistency and rigour to social value in procurement, but it has also raised the bar for bidders.
Success is no longer about stating good intentions. It requires a combination of:
- Strategic selection of commitments
- A compelling and credible delivery narrative.
