G-Cloud: What you’ve missed

If you are one of those cloud tech suppliers who haven’t yet jumped on the G-Cloud band wagon, here’s a short summary of how the framework began and how it’s got to where it is now!

How it started

“G-Cloud is not a single entity; it is an ongoing and iterative programme of work which will enable, the use of a range of cloud services, and changes in the way we procure and operate ICT, throughout the public sector.”

The above is from the Government Cloud Strategy that was published in March 2011. A big part of that strategy was implementing ‘Government Cloud’ or G-Cloud. The G-Cloud framework was created to help push forward the government’s vision for a ‘cloud first policy’. Quite simply, this means that central government bodies must evaluate potential cloud solutions, before considering other options.

G-Cloud was to become instrumental in giving government easy access to innovative cloud solutions, as well as giving SMEs easy access to government contracts. The government set out for the online marketplace to be:

Open – always available for government customers, with transparent product details including pricing, contract details and spend.
Simple and Fair Procurement – simplified commodity purchasing which creates a level playing field for all suppliers, especially SMEs.
Freedom to Innovate – service suppliers are free to innovate, to offer new solutions and improvements to services at any time, rather than being held to deliver often outdated specifications and requirements.

How it works

Public sector buyers can forgo some of the traditional OJEU processes when using G-Cloud. The framework is already OJEU complaint with suppliers having already been previously evaluated. It allows public sector buyers to use search terms and filters to find suppliers who best fit their requirements. This process makes procurement more efficient and cost effective – a win win for both buyers and suppliers.

For more information on how buyer’s evaluate suppliers on G-Cloud, check out the evaluation section of our ‘Ultimate Guide to G-Cloud’.

What you’ve missed – the headlines!

To date there have been 10 calls for contract in which suppliers were able to list their services on G-Cloud.
The G-Cloud framework is uncapped so, if the application is compliant, an unlimited number of suppliers can join the framework.
The 11^th iteration of the framework is expected in April this year.
This framework has been a resounding success with £4.25bn having been put through it since its inception and from what we can tell this figure can only increase for G-Cloud 11….

We hope you have enjoyed this brief history of the G-Cloud framework, and if you are a cloud tech supplier you should consider listing!