PPN 008: Armed Forces Covenant · first published 17 February 2025
PPN 008 (updated February 2025) is an information note — not a new obligation — reminding central government departments to encourage their suppliers to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant is a voluntary pledge by businesses to support veterans, reservists, and service spouses/partners through fair employment practices and other commitments. Departments may include standard Covenant text (set out in Annex A of the PPN) in their tender documents inviting suppliers to sign. Critically, the PPN explicitly states that signing the Covenant is not a condition of participation, an award criterion, or a contract term — so refusing to sign cannot harm your bid. This update mainly refreshes terminology to align with the Procurement Act 2023, which applies to procurements commenced on or after 24 February 2025; it does not change policy.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
Because signing the Covenant is explicitly excluded from evaluation criteria and contract terms, there is no scoring risk for SMEs who have not yet signed. However, signing is low-cost and signals alignment with government values — SMEs that already employ veterans or reservists can formalise and publicise that commitment at no operational cost. The reputational upside (being listed among 800+ Covenant signatories) may support relationship-building with public sector buyers even if it never moves a score.
1. When you see Covenant text in a tender document, read it but do not panic — you are under no obligation to sign, and choosing not to sign cannot affect your score or eligibility.
All SMEs bidding for central government contracts — The PPN explicitly states signing 'is not a condition of working with the contracting authority now or in the future, nor will this issue form any part of the procurement process'.
2. Consider signing the Armed Forces Covenant (free, via the GOV.UK 'Show your support' page) to formalise and publicise what you already do — list it in bid social-value or company-values sections as evidence of community commitment.
SMEs that already employ veterans, reservists, or service spouses/partners — The government actively wants more businesses to sign ('that number continues to grow'), and the Covenant provides a recognised framework to evidence support for the armed forces community that buyers will be aware of.
3. Review the template commitments in Annex A of PPN 008 and select only those realistic for your business size — the PPN notes 'the level of support will depend on the size and nature of the organisation'.
SMEs considering signing the Covenant — The Annex A template explicitly invites organisations to 'sign up to as many of the above as appropriate to your business', so you are not locked into every commitment.
4. If you have any questions about the Covenant or need tender templates, contact the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Helpdesk on 0345 410 2222 or info@crowncommercial.gov.uk.
All SMEs — general awareness — The PPN directs all enquiries and requests for standard templates to the CCS Helpdesk.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The PPN applies to all central government departments, their executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies (collectively 'in-scope organisations'). (All in-scope central government organisations, all contract values, from 24 February 2025)
“The contents of this PPN apply to all central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.”
In-scope organisations should apply the provisions of this PPN from 24 February 2025. (All in-scope central government organisations)
“In-scope organisations should apply the provisions of this Information Note from 24 February 2025.”
The Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024 apply only to procurements commenced on or after 24 February 2025; earlier procurements remain under the previous legislation and PPN 06/16. (All central government procurements)
“The Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024 apply to procurements commenced on or after 24 February 2025.”
Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is explicitly NOT a condition of participation, an award criterion, or a contract term — declining to sign carries no procurement consequence. (All suppliers bidding for central government contracts, all values, from 24 February 2025)
“Paragraphs 1 - 3 above are not a condition of working with the contracting authority now or in the future, nor will this issue form any part of the procurement process (for example, as a condition of participation, an award criteria or term of the contract).”
Departments are encouraged to include standard Covenant text (Annex A) in tender documents to invite — not compel — suppliers to sign. (Central government buyers drafting tender documents, from 24 February 2025)
“They should consider encouraging suppliers to sign the Covenant by including the text at Annex A in their tender documents.”
This PPN update does not represent a change in policy or a new call for action; it only updates terminology to reflect the Procurement Act 2023. (All in-scope organisations)
“This update does not incorporate amendments made by the Armed Forces Act 2021, and does not constitute a change in policy or a new call for action.”
Typical Covenant commitments include supporting veteran employment, supporting service spouses/partners, accommodating reservist training, and offering Armed Forces Community discounts. (Any business choosing to sign the Covenant)
“typically includes policies that: encourage reserve service; support employment of veterans and service spouses/partners; give the Armed Forces community a fair deal on commercial products and services.”
More than 800 businesses and charities have already signed the Armed Forces Covenant. (General context — all potential signatories)
“More than 800 businesses and charities have signed an Armed Forces Covenant, and that number continues to grow.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.