Bid+ or Procure+

Impact can be easily configured to utilise any sustainability and social value frameworks in a matter of minutes. In addition, our own resource, MeasureUp is already pre-populated within our software. Please note: some proprietary, sector-specific frameworks may require you to obtain a licence first to use their measures and conversions.

In short, no, there are no hidden charges, overage or setup fees on any of our packages. We do, however, offer additional consultancy services if you need any advice or assistance that goes beyond any services provided within your package.

Nope! We want to delight our customers and make it easy for you to scale your business, so we don’t charge additional for storage. In fact, we encourage you to store as much data in Impact so you always see the system as your single source of truth.

We take data security extremely seriously. Impact is fully cloud-based and is hosted on a private AWS EU-West-2 network based in London, UK, ringfenced from the public internet with strict access controls.

The software itself has been built from the ground up with OWASP recommendations in mind and is regularly assessed for compliance by Sec-1. In addition:

• ISO 27001 Compliant & HIPAA Eligible Infrastructure
• Cyber Essentials Plus Certification (OWASP)
• ICO Certified – DPA Officer
• WCG 2.1 Certified Level A & AA.
• Qualys A HTTPS enforcement terminating on load balances in private containers with Impact’s Core not accessible via public internet

The majority of our customers commit to bi/annual billing since we’ve found this gives you enough time to see a noticeable difference within all areas of your organisation.

Impact Reporting’s tender module can be used globally and is easily aligned to support local authorities and councils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Social Value accounts for the net societal effect of your business activities. It plays a critical role in the built environment sector by promoting sustainable development, boosting employee morale, enhancing brand reputation, and fulfilling regulatory requirements. At Impact Reporting, we believe in harnessing the power of business to drive social and environmental good.

We’re here to support you at every stage, be it understanding social value, figuring out where to start, or perfecting your existing practices. Our platform simplifies the journey, plus we offer tailored support, consulting, and guidance to help amplify your impact.

Social value as defined through the Public Services (Social Value) Act (2013) refers to the wider benefits to society that can be achieved when purchasing goods, services, or works. When applied to procurement, it’s about achieving maximum value for every pound spent, not just economically but also socially and environmentally. 

According to the UK Government’s Guide to Using the Social Value Model, “the huge power of public money spent through public procurement every year in the UK must support government priorities, to boost growth and productivity, help our communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and tackle climate change. There should be a clear ‘golden thread’ from these priorities to the development of strategies and business cases for programmes and projects, through to procurement specifications and the assessment of quality when awarding contracts.”

Examples of social value can range from creating jobs for local communities, reducing carbon footprint, promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting local businesses, and addressing societal issues such as homelessness. 

The social value weighting within bids and tenders is an integral part of your procurement application where you detail how your organisation’s activities will contribute positively to social, economic, and environmental welfare. It’s not just about being financially attractive anymore; it’s about showcasing your commitment to broader societal benefits.

PPN 06/20 mandates that central government departments must evaluate social value with a minimum overall weighting of 10% when assessing bids. While this percentage sets a standard, you must understand that simply increasing the weighting doesn’t automatically enhance the social value you deliver. Therefore, it’s vital to find a balanced approach in setting these weightings to ensure meaningful social value outcomes.

To be quite simple, it’s best impact practice. Using surveys in your social value reports lets you see the human stories behind your initiatives, not just the metrics.

Social value outcomes vary by tender but may include employing local labour, engaging with social enterprises, improving worker conditions, reducing environmental impact, supporting community projects, and providing apprenticeships and work placements, amongst others.

• Sustainability reporting: Focuses on a company’s overall sustainability performance, including environmental, social, and economic aspects. It typically covers a broader range of topics beyond ESG criteria.
• ESG reporting: Specifically focuses on Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria used to evaluate a company’s sustainability and ethical practices. It may be a subset of sustainability reporting, emphasising these specific areas.

You start by understanding what’s important to your organisation, your stakeholders, and the communities you serve. This will guide the areas of social value you might seek. Then, embed this into your procurement documents – specify the desired social value outcomes in the contractual requirements.

Companies across all industries, especially in the built environment, FTSE businesses, and investment organisations, can and should incorporate social value outcomes into their procurement practices. This applies whether they are required by law or driven by purpose and commitment to create a social and environmental positive impact.

The best way to showcase social value is to integrate it into your business model rather than treat it as an add-on. You can use Impact Reporting to gather, manage, and present your social value data compellingly and transparently, aligning it with your business activities.

Our cloud-based social value and sustainability measurement platform will streamline your data collection and consolidation, helping you demonstrate your social value effectively. We transform complex data into easily understandable metrics and guide you toward impactful initiatives that can be a game-changer in your procurement bids.

The specific processes may vary depending on your geographical location and local legislation. However, a universally valid principle is aligning your procurement with overarching social, environmental, and economic goals, following responsible business practices and engaging with vendors who share similar values.

Sustainability reporting requirements vary by jurisdiction and industry. While some countries or stock exchanges may mandate sustainability reporting for listed companies, it is still optional. However, there is a growing trend towards voluntary disclosure and transparency in sustainability practices, especially within the UK and the EU.

It’s essential you clearly outline how you plan to deliver your social value commitments year by year within the contract term. This approach allows the tendering organisation to monitor and ensure that these commitments are being met consistently throughout the contract duration. Requesting evidence of delivery helps maintain accountability and ensures that the promised social value is realised, benefiting the community as intended.