Framework
National TOMs
The National Themes, Outcomes and Measures framework used to measure and price social value in UK public sector bids.
Definition
The National TOMs is a standardised framework for measuring social value in procurement, structured as Themes, Outcomes and Measures. Maintained by the Social Value Portal with sector and local government input, it gives each measure a proxy financial value so that commitments made in a bid can be added up and reported as a single monetary figure. It is the most widely adopted measurement framework in UK local government social value evaluation.
How it works in practice
The framework is hierarchical. Themes are the broad policy areas, such as local employment, supporting growth of responsible regional business, healthier safer and more resilient communities, decarbonising and safeguarding the environment, and promoting social innovation. Each theme contains outcomes, and each outcome contains measures. A measure is a specific, countable commitment, for example the number of local people employed on the contract or the number of hours of expert business advice donated.
Each measure carries a proxy value, a financial figure representing the estimated social benefit of one unit. A bidder selects the measures it will genuinely deliver, states the quantity, and the framework converts that into a total social value figure, often expressed as a percentage of contract value. Buyers commonly evaluate on both the size of that figure and the credibility of the delivery plan behind it.
Two practical cautions matter for bidders. First, the proxy values are updated periodically, and buyers may specify a particular version of the framework in the tender documents, so committing against the wrong version produces figures that do not reconcile. Second, TOMs commitments are contractual. They are typically written into the contract and monitored during delivery, so an inflated figure at bid stage becomes a reporting problem later. Note also that TOMs is not universal: central government procurements usually apply the PPN 002 social value model instead, and Scotland and Wales operate their own frameworks.
Common questions
Is the National TOMs mandatory?
No. It is a widely adopted voluntary framework rather than a statutory requirement. Individual buyers choose whether to use it, and many local authorities specify it in their tender documents. Central government typically uses the PPN 002 social value model, and Scottish procurements commonly use community benefit requirements instead.
How is the social value percentage calculated?
The total proxy value of all committed measures is divided by the contract value and expressed as a percentage. Buyers sometimes set a minimum threshold, and a target of ten per cent or more of contract value is common in local government, though expectations vary considerably by sector and contract size.
Can commitments be changed after award?
Only through the contract's change process, and buyers are generally reluctant. TOMs commitments usually become contractual obligations with monitoring and reporting attached. The practical advice is to commit to what can be evidenced and delivered, since underdelivery against a stated figure is visible and can affect both this contract and future evaluations.
Do proxy values change?
Yes. The framework is reviewed and updated periodically, and proxy values are revised to reflect current evidence. Always confirm which version the tender specifies before calculating, because figures produced under different versions are not directly comparable.
