Case Study for PPN 01/21 – Scoring Social Value in the Supply of Workplace Uniforms and PPE

The Education Authority (EA) Commercial Procurement Service (CPS) established a contract for the supply of workplace uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including catering uniforms as well as safety clothing and bite-resistant PPE, to the EA and schools. While Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 01/21 does not require supplies contracts to score social value, CPS recommended including social value due to the nature of the goods being provided. This provided an opportunity to include social value as a contributing factor in selecting suppliers, as well as through contractual clauses.

The EA is committed to the responsible use and protection of natural resources and reducing our carbon footprint as key objectives in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland. In support of the Draft Programme for Government 2024-27 and the EA’s Strategic Plan 2017-27, the EA seeks to manage resources effectively and efficiently and is therefore keen to support and be part of a culture of careful resource management, to build sustainability and protect the environment. The objective of scoring social value was to ensure that suppliers understood the importance of delivering social value, particularly environmental benefits including working towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions, for the duration of the contract.

Following consultation with potential users of the contract and engagement with suppliers, it was deemed appropriate to include, as part of the tender response, a criterion on Delivering Climate Actions. Suppliers were asked to provide a methodology explaining how they would deliver environmental benefits during the contract. This formed part of the qualitative evaluation criteria assessed by the panel.

The suppliers appointed to the contract provided comprehensive responses explaining how they would deliver environmental benefits during the contract such as:

• Circular economy principles - items designed for durability, with end-of-life items recycled.
• Use of sustainable products – the introduction of sustainable and biodegradable materials.
• Carbon reduction - optimising transport routes and consolidating shipments.
• Supply chain audits – ensuring the supply chain adheres to environmental and ethical standards.

Although not mandated by PPN 01/21, it is important to consider scoring social value in applicable supplies contracts to reinforce the importance of social value in public sector procurement. While the social value initiatives proposed do not have a direct impact on children and young people, the benefits delivered by suppliers help ensure that the EA meets key objectives in the Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland and the EA Strategic Plan, while supporting the Draft Programme for Government 2024-27.

The contract management arrangements will ensure that, from the outset of the contract, sustainable products are included, items are robust and durable, and that end-of-life items are recycled.