In this webinar, Advice Cloud CEO & Founder Chris Farthing walks through everything network and connectivity suppliers need to know about NS4 – from the expected lot structure to what GCA heard during pre-market engagement.
A note on this recording
This webinar was recorded in June 2026, ahead of GCA’s market engagement session on 7 July 2026. The ITT has since published on 21st August 2026, in line with GCA’s planned timeline below, and applications are open until 2nd October 2026. Since recording, GCA have also clarified several other details. Please read the following before watching:
- NS4 will be a closed framework, not an open framework. The option to reapply at a reopening point, as discussed in this session, does not apply.
- The framework term is four years with optional extensions, not eight years as stated in this session.
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GCA have now published a planned timeline (subject to change):
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| ITT issued | 21st August 2026 |
| Clarification period opens | 21st August 2026 |
| Deadline for submission of clarification questions | 15:00 11th September 2026 |
| GCA responses to clarification questions | 25th September 2026 |
| Tender submission deadline | 15:00 2nd October 2026 |
| Assessment summaries issued | 22nd February 2027 |
| Contract award notice published and commencement of 8 working day standstill period | 22nd February 2027 |
| End of standstill period | Midnight end of 3rd March 2027 |
| Award of framework contracts | 4th March 2027 |
| Framework contract start date | 4th March 2027 |
| Contract details notice and copy of the framework contract published | Published on Find a Tender within 30 days of the contract award notice publication date |
All dates are planned and subject to change.
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No ISO accreditations are required at framework level. They may be requested by buyers at call-off stage, but you do not need them to get listed.
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FVRA thresholds will vary by lot. GCA confirmed the metrics remain the same as NS3, but thresholds will differ per lot. The ITT will confirm exact levels.
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Insurance levels are consistent across all lots.
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Prompt Payment requirements reference PPN 015, not PPN 018.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the GCA NS4 page or read our updated Knowledge Hub articles.
Chris covers:
- What NS4 is and how it differs from NS3
- The expected Lots – what’s new, what’s gone, and where your services fit
- What GCA heard from suppliers and buyers during market engagement (Dec 2025 – Feb 2026)
- Whether NS4 is the right framework for your business
- What certifications and evidence you’ll need to apply
- What to do before the ITT publishes in August
Download the slides and resources from this session here.
New to Network Services frameworks? Read: Network Services 4 (NS4): How to Get Listed and Win Government Tenders.
Want support with your NS4 applications?
Our team helped 24 clients secure 52 listings on NS3, with a 100% quality score across every single one. Book a chat with us to talk through your options.
