Procurement: framework agreement media services - buyer guide

Framework scope

Scottish Procurement has awarded a national framework to Precise Media Monitoring Ltd (as a single contractor) for the provision of media services, for both Lot 1 and Lot 2.

Lot 1 – press media, broadcast, online media, social media and analytics and evaluation services

Lot 2 – news distribution and newsroom services, and enquiry management services

This framework replaces the previous framework for the provision of media services (Ref: SP-16-003), with Precise Media Monitoring Ltd. This framework expires on 31 August 2021.

Access scope

The framework agreement is accessible to all Scottish public bodies (for example central government, local authorities, higher and further education, health bodies and special health boards, police and fire and rescue), and Scottish third sector bodies (for example registered charities and voluntary organisations).

 NOTE: It is the responsibility of any public body wishing to utilise the framework agreement, to satisfy itself that it is eligible to do so. Entitlement  guidance on this can be found in Annex A of Scottish Government Guidance on Framework Agreements. If there is any doubt, legal advice should be sought.

Commencement date and duration

The framework agreement commences on 1 September 2021 and ends on 31 August 2025.

Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014

Buyers are reminded of the obligations contained in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 in relation to the award of contracts valued equal to or greater than £50,000.00, including those awarded as a result of a framework call-off and/or mini competition. In particular, buyers should note that in accordance with Section 23(2) the award of contracts must be publicised on the Public Contracts Scotland website and in accordance with Section 35 contracts must be registered in the contracting authority’s “contracts register”.

Framework contract management

Scottish Procurement will manage the framework agreement at a strategic, framework level. This incorporates a number of activities including management of contractor performance issues, collating management information for the framework as a whole, co-ordinating feedback, contractor reviews, user feedback groups and escalations.

Framework public bodies must manage all contracts awarded under this framework at a local level, and deal with day to day contractor issues with a view to resolving these locally in the first instance. Scottish Procurement will act as an escalation point should local resolution prove unsuccessful.

Framework public bodies utilising this framework must request their own management information and hold regular meetings with the contractor as necessary. The framework contractor is aware of the need to supply management information to individual framework public bodies as part of the agreed framework agreement terms and conditions.

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs are detailed within the framework agreement document and framework public bodies utilising this framework must familiarise themselves with these. 

Framework agreement participation

Framework public bodies utilising the framework must agree in writing to operate the framework in accordance with the procedures set out in this document. Framework public bodies may access as few, or as many services, within each lot as they wish.

Sustainability benefits achieved under this framework

As part of their sustainability commitment Precise (as part of the wider Kantar group in 2020):

• achieved another year of being Carbon Neutral in all of their global operations
• signed the Business Ambition for 1.5⁰ C commitment letter as part of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI)
• received a rating of A- for their environmental impact, in their first public disclosure
• incorporated sustainability risk management into their global governance structure

Looking ahead, they have set the following targets:

• they aim to achieve Net-Zero Carbon status across all of their operations by 2030
• in line with their emission reduction targets, they are committed to reduce their Scopes 1 and 2 direct carbon Emissions by 90% by 2030
• they  plan to convert 100% of our operations to renewable energy sources by 2021
• in 2019, 76% of  their waste was diverted from landfills with a target of 90% by 2030
• implement a global supplier ESG ratings methodology to incorporate sustainability into their supplier sourcing and management 
• develop mechanisms in combination with their employees to reduce Scope 3 business travel-related emissions