Contents
What is G-Cloud?
G-Cloud 15 (RM1557.15) is the framework for cloud services bought by public sector buyers. It is live and replaces G-Cloud 14 (RM1557.14), G-Cloud 14 Lot 4 (RM1557.14L4) and Cloud Compute 2 (RM6292). It is an open framework let under the Procurement Act 2023, with a total maximum length of four years.
G-Cloud 15 lot structure
| Lot | Services | Call-off length | Mandatory certification | Economic and financial standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1a | Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service | Up to five years initially, with optional extensions of up to three more years | ISO 27018 where the service includes public cloud | Gold FVRA |
| Lot 1b | Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service above OFFICIAL | Up to five years initially, with optional extensions of up to three more years | ISO 27018 where the service includes public cloud | Gold FVRA |
| Lot 2a | Infrastructure Software (I-SaaS) | Up to four years, with optional extensions of up to two more years | Cyber Essentials | Bronze Plus FVRA |
| Lot 2b | Software as a Service (SaaS) | Up to four years, with optional extensions of up to two more years | Cyber Essentials | Bronze Plus FVRA |
| Lot 3 | Cloud support services (Additional Services) | Up to four years, with optional extensions of up to two more years | Cyber Essentials | Bronze Plus FVRA |
Is G-Cloud right for you?
Although G-Cloud doesn’t impose numerous restrictions on suppliers, naturally it does have its own rules and regulations. Not every company can get on the framework. Here are a few key factors to consider:
1. Suppliers must be selling a cloud-based solution. No hardware solutions can be listed on the framework.
2. Suppliers must fit into one of the G-Cloud categories or Lots.
3. No ‘colocation’ services can be listed. For example, equipment the buyer rents from a supplier’s data centre can be listed.
4. G-Cloud is for off the shelf solutions only. If you offer bespoke development this is not a framework for you. Instead of G-Cloud, you should be looking at listing on the Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS) framework.
Free self-assessment
Could your business win work here?
Before you choose a lot or invest in a bid, take our free Buyability™ assessment. Answer a few short questions to see where you stand with public sector buyers, and what to fix first.
Which lot suits your business?
These are the supplier types each lot is typically built around. The financial standing and certification requirements in the table above are the hard gates: they decide which lots you can bid for before anything else is considered.
| Lot | Common supplier types |
|---|---|
| Lot 1aIaaS and PaaS | Cloud hosting providers, data centre operators and platform providers selling compute, storage or hosting environments. The Gold FVRA financial threshold means this lot typically suits larger, financially established providers. |
| Lot 1bIaaS and PaaS above OFFICIAL | The same providers, operating accredited environments with security-cleared staff. This is a different business rather than a harder version of Lot 1a. If you do not already work to those standards, it is the wrong lot rather than a stretch target. |
| Lot 2aInfrastructure Software (I-SaaS) | Vendors whose software runs or manages infrastructure: monitoring, security tooling, databases, middleware, backup and integration. Bronze Plus financial standing and Cyber Essentials put it within reach of smaller suppliers. |
| Lot 2bSaaS | Application software sold by subscription, from specialist tools to enterprise platforms. The broadest lot, and the usual starting point for a software SME. |
| Lot 3Cloud support services (Additional Services) | Consultancies, systems integrators, migration specialists, managed service providers and training providers. Services rather than product, so it suits suppliers selling people and expertise. |
How buyers buy through G-Cloud
Buyers buy through G-Cloud using direct award and further competition.
Evaluation, direct award and call-off contracts
There are two ways buyers can evaluate and award a contract on G-Cloud.
Firstly, if after a compliant search the buyer ends up with only one supplier on G-Cloud that meets their needs, they can direct award. (One of the reasons we love G-Cloud!).
When buyers are faced with multiple suppliers that meet their requirements, a buyer can make the final decision in two ways:
One is to choose the supplier that meets the needs and that has the lowest price.
Two, and more likely to be used, is the M.E.A.T process or the most economically advantageous tender. This is where a buyer will evaluate multiple suppliers against a set of predetermined criteria. As a supplier, you should be aware of the guidance around what buyers can and can’t ask you if you appear within their shortlist.
The Public Procurement Gateway buyers guide and the framework agreement outline four different types of criteria you can use when evaluating shortlisted suppliers under M.E.A.T:
Whole-life cost, cost-effectiveness, price and running costs. Technical merit and functional fit. After-sales and service management. Non-functional characteristics.
The final selection should be based on best fit rather than ruling out suppliers that don’t meet your current contract or an ideal set of terms.
Once a buyer has awarded a contract the winning supplier is notified. Best practice for buyers is to inform the unsuccessful suppliers and offer the reasons why they weren’t successful, so they can improve their bids next time.
After the contract has been awarded the supplier and the buyer complete what is called a ‘call-off contract’. This will include any specific terms the parties have agreed to. The call-off contract is then completed and signed. After this, the work can begin.
How to apply and what to have ready
Suppliers must register on the central digital platform (CDP) before bidding.
Applying for G-Cloud is not easy, especially if you want to have a quality and compliant listing. Hopeful suppliers must make sure they dedicate the right amount of time and internal resources. Not sure how long it might take you to apply? Our G-Cloud application roadmap gives you a good indication of how long each step of the process might take.
The G-Cloud application is made up of the following:
- Pass/fail questions around background and compliance
- Questions around your solution and service offering which make up the front-end of your listing
- Supplementary Document:
- Service Definition
- Pricing document
- Suppliers own terms
- Optional SFIA rate card
Before we delve into each of these elements individually, remember each part of your listing should be crafted with your buyer in mind and be easy for them to navigate.
Accreditations and information security
Cyber Essentials is mandatory for Lots 2a, 2b and 3. ISO 27018 is mandatory for Lots 1a and 1b where the service includes public cloud.
Economic and financial standing requirements are Gold FVRA for Lots 1a and 1b, and Bronze Plus for Lots 2a, 2b and 3.
ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security.
We couldn’t talk information security and not mention GDPR and G-Cloud. Before May 2018, CCS notified all G-Cloud suppliers that they would be updating the terms of the G-Cloud framework in line with GDPR.
There are now specific clauses within the G-Cloud framework agreement and call-off contract covering the supplier requirements in line with GDPR. We also advise suppliers to detail their information security processes and internal GDPR procedures within their Service Definitions.
Your front-end listing
Think about your product name - if it is branded, it is likely that a buyer will never find you. Searching for a product name isn’t a compliant way to buy on G-Cloud.
Take time over your service summary and features and benefits. These are your searchable terms.
Answer all the technical questions to the best of your ability. These sections are difficult to change later and relate to the filters on the framework. This means if a buyer has a longlist and wants to refine the search results to a shortlist and you haven’t included that you are ISO27001 certified, you won’t appear in the search results.
Consider whether you’re listing too many services. Can you cut down on how many you have? Listing more isn’t always a good thing. Quality can be better than quantity in a lot of cases.
Service Definition
After G-Cloud 9, CCS decided to make the Service Definition an optional document. However, this was short-lived and changed again, as from G-Cloud 12 Service Definitions were made mandatory (along with other changes made for the 12th iteration). So suppliers will have to include this document in their application. A Service Definition is a chance for suppliers to further detail the features of their service without word count restriction.
Take the time to create a great Service Definition, it could be the difference between you and another supplier. Here are ‘9 Steps to G-Cloud Service Definition Success’.
Pricing Document
Suppliers often struggle with the best way to present their pricing but you must get your pricing right for G-Cloud! The best pricing documents are the ones that:
Plainly state their costs. Aren’t over-designed Include all additional set-up or training fees. Do not switch currency mid-way through. Include examples.
Here’s how NOT to price your service on G-Cloud.
Terms and Conditions
Suppliers are required to issue their current terms and conditions. The service terms and conditions you provide can’t be changed while the framework is live. In our experience, most of the suppliers not doing any business on the framework have non-compliant Ts&Cs!
SFIA Rate Card
This stands for ‘Skills for the Information Age’ and relates to the cost of professional services relating to your product or service. This document is also optional, but it is always good for suppliers to include one to cover any future support a buyer may want.
As there are many elements to applying for G-Cloud, we recommend creating and using a checklist so you stay on track. Another tip is to go onto the framework and take a look at other listings to get some inspiration. For more advice on submitting for G-Cloud, here are our five key steps - with top tips!
G-Cloud or DOS?
Ultimate framework battle: G-Cloud versus DOS infographic
What the spend data shows
Explore the live G-Cloud spend dashboard.
TechMarketView reported in August 2026 that over 4,000 companies were awarded a place on at least one lot, of which 90% are SMEs, and that total G-Cloud spend in 2025-26 was £2.9bn. These are industry-reported figures, rather than primary figures verified here.
Sales and marketing on G-Cloud
Just listing on G-Cloud will not be enough to start making sales and get noticed by the public sector. You have to first get marketing!
Come up with a content strategy. Start researching your target market and begin creating content that resonates with them.
- Mention your G-Cloud listing on your website, maybe this is a dedicated page or even just a sentence on your product page.
- Start building up your reputation on social media and at events.
- Come up with a content strategy. Start researching your target market and begin creating content that resonates with them.
Just like your marketing strategy, your sales strategy should also be tailored to the public sector. We always give suppliers some good recommendations of what to do during the application period - it’s just about getting on to the framework, after all.
Make sure you:
Zero in on a target buyer. Work out which departments or sectors could best make use of your solution and work on getting in front of them
Learn how G-Cloud works. Knowing how buyers can purchase through the framework will give your buyers confidence that you know what you are talking about.
Use the sales data! It is publicly available and is a great source of information regarding who is buying and what!
The G-Cloud framework is a crowded marketplace so to be one of the suppliers making sales on the framework you need to make sure you have a great listing and a G-Cloud sales and marketing strategy. If you aren’t selling, it isn’t too late to change that - you just need to find out why! Suppliers can edit their listings, as long as it does not materially change the provided service or product. There are some very valuable components to the G-Cloud listing that suppliers should be keeping up to date, and as we said, changing them if they’re not generating some form of success.
Related guidance
Newsletter
Never miss a framework change
Register for our newsletter to be kept up to date with important framework changes and upcoming webinars.
Not on G-Cloud 15?
The framework reopens to new suppliers at 18 months and at 36 months. Book a call and we will tell you what to have ready before it does.