Media Services Framework
Framework Description
The Media Services Framework is a Scottish Government (Scottish Procurement) framework made available to APUC member institutions (Public Contracts Scotland ref. SEP538602). Lot 1 covers media monitoring: print, broadcast, online and social media coverage, with analytics and evaluation. Lot 2 covers news distribution, an online newsroom and enquiry management. Each lot has one contractor, and the framework runs to 31 August 2029 with no extension option.
Context & Use Case
Press offices and communications teams in universities, colleges and other Scottish public bodies use Lot 1 to track how they are covered in print, broadcast, online and social media and to evaluate campaigns, and Lot 2 to issue news releases, host an online newsroom and manage media enquiries. The awards were worth about £626,000 in total over four years.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Print media coverage Lot 1: Broadcast and online coverage Lot 1: Social media monitoring Lot 1: Analytics and evaluation Lot 2: News distribution and online newsroom Lot 2: Enquiry management
Lots
Framework Agreement for Media Services - Lot 1; Framework Agreement for Media Services - Lot 2
Who Can Apply
Suits media monitoring, media intelligence and news distribution providers. Each lot was awarded to a single contractor, so there is no panel to join, and the framework runs to 31 August 2029. The next opportunity is the Scottish Government's re-tender, likely in 2029.
Buyer Benefits
Communications teams need consistent coverage data and reliable distribution tools without each body contracting separately. A national arrangement gives every participating body the same service level regardless of location, with management information that helps them evaluate campaigns and report to senior leaders.
Next Steps
Read the Public Contracts Scotland notice (SEP538602) for each lot's core services. Media monitoring and news distribution providers should build public sector references, evaluation methods and coverage data, and plan for the re-tender, likely in 2029. Meanwhile, look at other media and communications frameworks that are open.
How Athena Can Help
With both lots held by single contractors until 2029, providers need other routes in. Our team maps other open media frameworks and prepares your applications to them.
For the 2029 re-tender, our tender writing for media services builds win themes with our F.V.D. model, separating foundational points from real differentiators, and our bid qualification advice tests whether a national single-contractor lot suits your scale. We also run a Bid Health Check on drafts so weak answers are fixed before the deadline.
