b'Feet to the FireThe Procurement Act 2023 offers a valuable opportunity for contacting authorities to ensure that social value is actually delivered by their contractors, writes Dr Rebecca ReesThe delivery of social value outcomes is often a key priority for local authorities through their public contracts, and the social value promises and proposals put forward by bidders for public opportunities are increasingly subject to a greater weighting as part of the procurement process. However, notwithstanding this increased focus and importance (which can ultimately be a determinative factor in identifying a successful bidder to be awarded the ensuing contract), social value outputs are often not delivered in line with tender promises, often without repercussion, and the management of social value objectives requires improvement across the sector.With that in mind, what can local authorities do now to improve the management of social value outputs through their public contracts, and what tools does the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) provide to assist in this endeavour?Procurement Act 2023 considerations when setting KPIsPerhaps surprisingly, the Act itself is silent as to the delivery of social value, save for the requirement to have regard to the National Procurement Policy Statement (which sets out a national priority to "deliver social and economic value that supports the Governments missions including by working in partnership across organisational boundaries"). Absent a specific process or requirement in the Act to deal with the delivery of social value outcomes, contracting authorities should consider the provisions regarding setting KPIs and how these can be used to monitor the effective delivery of social value through their contracts.Of particular note, local authorities are required for all of their public contracts exceeding 5 12'