G-Cloud Framework

G-Cloud is one of the most widely used digital procurement frameworks in European public sector buying. Administered by the UK Crown Commercial Service (CCS), it operates as a dynamic catalogue rather than a traditional competitive tender: suppliers apply once to be listed, buyers search the catalogue and award directly, and the entire transaction can be completed without a separate procurement exercise. For many cloud hosting procurement and software as a service (SaaS) procurement needs, G-Cloud is the fastest compliant route to market.

What is the G-Cloud Framework?

G-Cloud is a framework agreement established under the UK's Procurement Act 2023 and its predecessor regulations (which implemented EU Directive 2014/24/EU prior to Brexit). It covers three service categories: cloud software (formerly Lot 1: SaaS), cloud hosting (formerly Lot 2: PaaS and IaaS), and cloud support (formerly Lot 3: specialist cloud services). Each iteration of the framework (currently G-Cloud 14) is open to new supplier applications on a rolling basis.

Buyers from central government, NHS, local authorities, emergency services, education, and third-sector organisations with public funding can all access G-Cloud. The buying process involves searching the Digital Marketplace, comparing services on defined criteria, and awarding directly to a supplier from the catalogue. Call-off contracts are governed by standard Crown terms, though buyers may add supplementary requirements.

Because the framework itself was competed openly, individual call-offs do not need to run their own OJEU-equivalent notice. The contracting authority must still keep a record of how it selected the service, apply the technology code of practice principles, and confirm that the service meets its open standards in procurement and interoperability requirements.

Why it matters for bidders

For technology suppliers, listing on G-Cloud is a significant route to public sector revenue without the cost and time of bidding individual contracts. Once accepted onto the framework, a supplier's services are visible to thousands of public bodies. The catalogue entry is effectively a persistent marketing asset that buyers can find and award against at any time during the framework's life.

Suppliers must price their services at the point of application and cannot exceed those prices during the framework period. Buyers can negotiate downward but not above the listed price. Suppliers should therefore price competitively from the outset, bearing in mind that G-Cloud call-off values can range from a few thousand pounds to several million for multi-year arrangements.

Cyber Essentials (procurement requirement) certification is mandatory for most G-Cloud lots, and buyers increasingly expect suppliers to demonstrate GDPR compliance in procurement processes, particularly for cloud software handling personal data.

Example

A district council needs a cloud-based revenues and benefits case management system. Instead of running a restricted procedure (which would take three to six months), the procurement officer searches G-Cloud for case management software, identifies four catalogue entries that meet the functional requirements, requests demonstrations, and awards to the supplier offering the best fit at the listed price. Total procurement time: four weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does G-Cloud differ from running a normal tender?

In a traditional procurement, the buyer publishes a contract notice, receives and evaluates bids from suppliers, and awards after a structured competition. With G-Cloud, the competition happened when the framework was set up. Buyers select from pre-evaluated suppliers using the catalogue, which means no formal ITT, no scoring of proposals, and no standstill period before award.

Can any public body use G-Cloud?

Yes, provided the organisation falls within the definition of a "contracting authority" under the Procurement Act 2023 or the relevant devolved equivalent. This includes central government departments and arm's length bodies, NHS bodies, local authorities, police, fire services, universities, and housing associations that meet the relevant threshold criteria. Private companies cannot use G-Cloud.

Is there a spend limit for G-Cloud call-offs?

There is no hard cap, but buyers should ensure the call-off value is proportionate to the framework scope and that the chosen service genuinely meets the need. For very high-value or highly bespoke requirements, a framework call-off may not be the most appropriate route, and a digital services procurement exercise or competitive dialogue may be better suited.