Intellectual Property Services
Framework Description
APUC's Intellectual Property Services framework (Public Contracts Scotland ref. JAN496553) gives universities and colleges access to IP protection, renewals, consultancy and patent data services. It has 4 lots: IP protection, patent renewals, IP consulting, and patent searching and analytics tools. Applications for this framework are closed (it is not a DPS), and it runs to 15 October 2027 with no extension option.
Context & Use Case
Technology transfer and research commercialisation offices are the main users. They need IP protected when research produces patentable results, renewals managed across portfolios, strategic IP advice, and searching tools to check prior art. Separate lots let an office buy the specific service it needs rather than appointing one firm for everything.
Scope of Services
IP Protection Services IP Patent Renewals IP Consulting Patent Searching & Other IP Analytics Tools
Lots
IP Protection Services; IP Patent Renewals; IP Consulting; Patent Searching & Other IP Analytics Tools
Who Can Apply
Suits patent and trade mark attorney firms, renewals providers, IP consultancies and patent data or analytics vendors. Applications for this framework are closed and it has no extension, so the next entry point is APUC's re-tender, likely before 15 October 2027.
Buyer Benefits
Commercialisation teams can instruct specialist IP firms quickly, often under tight filing deadlines, without running a procurement each time. Separating renewals and analytics tools from advisory work lets institutions buy routine services at volume prices while choosing specialist advisers for strategic decisions.
Next Steps
The framework ends on 15 October 2027 with no extension, so the re-tender should appear during 2027. Read the Public Contracts Scotland notice (JAN496553) to see last time's lots and criteria, decide which lots you would bid for, and prepare evidence of university clients, filing outcomes and fee structures.
How Athena Can Help
With APUC's re-tender likely in 2027, IP firms should prepare now. Our help winning framework places covers lot selection, compliance answers and case studies drawn from university or research clients.
When the tender opens, our bid management and pricing work shapes fee models that score well and stay profitable. If you already hold a place, our public sector bidding expertise helps you keep it through the re-let, starting with a review of what scored well last time.
