Marketing Services Framework (SP-21-017)
Framework Description
The Scottish Government's Marketing Services Framework (SP-21-017) covers marketing for the Scottish public sector, from creative development and digital campaigns to PR, research, events and video. It has six lots and runs from 1 September 2022 to 30 November 2026, so it is in its final weeks. Supplier contact details are published in the buyer's guide.
Context & Use Case
Central government, health, councils, police and fire, universities, colleges, the third sector and other public bodies use it for campaigns that target messages, engage audiences and support behaviour change. Creative work is split at £50,000, so smaller briefs and major campaigns go to different supplier pools, and buyers can buy research or PR on its own.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Creative services above £50,000 Lot 2: Creative services below £50,000 Lot 3: Digital marketing services Lot 4: Public relations services Lot 5: Market research services Lot 6: Events and video production services
Lots
Lot 1 Creative Services above £50K; Lot 2 Creative Services below £50K; Lot 3 Digital Marketing Services; Lot 4 Public Relation Services; Lot 5 Market Research Services; Lot 6 Events and Video Production Services
Who Can Apply
Creative, digital, PR, research and events agencies suit this framework. Applications are closed and it ends on 30 November 2026, so the opening for agencies not on it is the replacement arrangement. Suppliers must offer Fair Work First measures, including no inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts and at least the real Living Wage.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers get a coordinated approach and a chance to share practice with other public bodies, plus value for money from pre-agreed terms. Separate lots for research, PR and events let them buy a single service, while the creative split at £50,000 gives smaller agencies a fair chance at lower-value briefs.
Next Steps
With the framework ending on 30 November 2026, check the Scottish Government marketing services page and Public Contracts Scotland now for its successor and any tender timetable. Agencies should prepare behaviour-change case studies with measured results, Fair Work evidence and lot-specific credentials so they can respond quickly when the replacement is advertised.
How Athena Can Help
Agencies face a short window between this framework ending and its replacement being let. Athena's framework onboarding support helps you pick the right lots in the successor framework and write responses that show measured campaign results.
Our creative tender writing builds win themes for behaviour-change briefs, and agency bid planning covers standalone campaign tenders while the new framework is being set up, starting with an honest bid/no-bid view on each brief.
