Early market engagement – preparing for success

Early market engagement is a vital step in ensuring successful procurement outcomes and maximising social value. By engaging with the market before bidding, suppliers can better understand local priorities, build partnerships, and design solutions that deliver meaningful impact.

Understand local needs

Suppliers should begin by carrying out a detailed local needs analysis to identify the priorities within the community. This involves liaising with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to uncover opportunities for collaboration and to ensure that proposed solutions reflect the real needs of Lancashire’s residents and businesses.

Engage early

Early engagement with the market is essential to set clear expectations and encourage innovation. Suppliers are encouraged to participate in engagement events organised by Lancashire County Council before tenders are issued. These sessions provide an opportunity to understand requirements, share ideas, and explore delivery models that can maximise social value outcomes.

Build capabilities

Supporting your supply chain in understanding social value is a key part of early engagement. Suppliers should take time to explain what social value means in practice and outline their expectations. This helps smaller organisations within the supply chain to prepare effectively and contribute meaningfully to delivering social value commitments.

Promote partnership working

Partnership working strengthens bids and enhances social impact. Suppliers should organise or attend sessions where private sector organisations can meet and collaborate with VCFSE partners. These partnerships can lead to innovative approaches and ensure that social value benefits are widely shared across the community.

Co-design solutions

Where appropriate, suppliers should engage with potential partners and LCC to co-design solutions. This process helps clarify what is core to the contract and what constitutes additional social value, ensuring that commitments are relevant and proportionate. By working collaboratively, suppliers can develop solutions that meet contractual requirements while delivering meaningful benefits.

Early engagement helps suppliers align with local priorities, build stronger partnerships, and design bids that deliver maximum social value. It also supports Lancashire County Council’s ambition to create inclusive, sustainable growth across the Lancashire