TL;DR
- → What it is: the standard UK structure for scoring social value in bids.
- → How it works: themes, then outcomes, then quantifiable measures.
- → How you score: National TOMs 2023-24 proxy values turn measures into pounds.
The TOMs framework, Themes, Outcomes, Measures, is the most widely used structure for social value in UK public procurement.
It splits social value into three layers. Themes are high-level policy goals. Outcomes are the specific results sought. Measures are quantifiable deliverables.
Each measure is then turned into pounds of social value using proxy values from the National TOMs.
Structure
- Theme: policy area aligned to PPN 002 missions (e.g. tackling economic inequality).
- Outcome: specific social change sought (e.g. more local employment).
- Measure: quantifiable deliverable scored using National TOMs proxy values (e.g. number of apprenticeships created, local spend, training hours).
Key facts
- Proxy values: National TOMs 2023-24 is the canonical reference.
- Alignment: 5 PPN 002 missions map to TOMs themes.
- Evidence: each measure requires documented evidence (contracts, pay records, delivery reports) retained for audit.
- Scoring: measure quantity × National TOMs proxy → monetary social value → contributes to the minimum 10% weighting.
- Buyer discretion: buyers can choose which TOMs measures to score (they cannot reduce the 10% weighting, only add to it).
How CrowAgent uses this term
CrowMark stores the full TOMs measures library with National TOMs 2023-24 proxy values in its database (never hardcoded). When a contract profile is submitted, deterministic rules map the contract to relevant missions, surface eligible TOMs measures, and score against the correct proxy values, with every number traceable to its source.
Read more
PPN 002 social value guide → missions, TOMs measure selection, scoring methodology and worked examples.