Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →G-Cloud is the UK public sector’s framework for buying cloud hosting, cloud software and cloud-support services. It is not a cloud provider or a single government IT system. Eligible organisations choose appointed suppliers, follow the applicable award procedure and sign an individual call-off contract.
As at 18 August 2026, G-Cloud 15 (RM1557.15), awarded on 6 August 2026 under the Procurement Act 2023, is the replacement framework. G-Cloud 14 (RM1557.14) remains relevant to existing call-offs and transition work and is due to end on 28 October 2026.
What G-Cloud actually is
A framework agreement establishes common terms and appoints suppliers before individual purchases are made. It gives public bodies a route to market without running a wholly new procurement for every suitable cloud requirement, but it does not remove procurement duties.
- Framework agreement: the overarching agreement setting supplier eligibility, terms and procedures.
- Service listing: a supplier’s catalogue entry describing a specific service, price and terms.
- Buyer process: the search, assessment, approvals and award route required for the purchase.
- Call-off contract: the binding contract between the buyer and selected supplier for that purchase.
Buyers still need due diligence, security and data-protection assessments, competition where required, governance approvals and contract management. The Digital Marketplace guidance explains the distinction between framework participation and an actual contract.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
G-Cloud 15: the current framework
G-Cloud 15 is an open framework with a four-year term, reopening at 18 and 36 months. Its supplier material describes revised lots, evaluated price, quality and social-value criteria, technical-ability requirements across all lots and a cloud-specific contracting structure based on the Procurement Act 2023. The final buyer guide and schedules are authoritative if any presentation summary differs; see the G-Cloud 15 tender and contract documents.
G-Cloud 15 lots
| Lot | Scope |
|---|---|
| Lot 1a | Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service |
| Lot 1b | Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service above the relevant OFFICIAL threshold |
| Lot 2a | Infrastructure software |
| Lot 2b | Software as a Service |
| Lot 3 | Cloud support services, described as additional services |
Examples include virtual machines, storage, networking, managed platforms, hosted applications, SaaS subscriptions, migration, architecture, monitoring, optimisation, security-related support, backup, disaster recovery and agreed exit assistance.
G-Cloud 14 and G-Cloud 15 compared
| Issue | G-Cloud 14 | G-Cloud 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Agreement | RM1557.14 | RM1557.15 |
| Legal regime | Public Contracts Regulations 2015 | Procurement Act 2023 |
| Status on 18 August 2026 | Existing framework, due to end 28 October 2026 | Replacement framework, awarded 6 August 2026 |
| Framework term | Originally 18 months, extended by six months | Four-year open framework, reopening at 18 and 36 months |
| Main structure | Lots 1–3 catalogue services; Lot 4 further competition | Infrastructure/platform, infrastructure software, SaaS and support lots |
| Evaluation | Compliance checks; Lot 4 had further-competition features | Price, quality and social value evaluated at framework procurement |
| Technical ability | Especially associated with Lot 4 | Required across all lots |
| Contracting architecture | G-Cloud 14 core terms and call-off contract | Public-sector-contract structure with framework, call-off and joint schedules |
G-Cloud 14 used Lots 1 (Cloud Hosting), 2 (Cloud Software) and 3 (Cloud Support), with Lot 4 for larger or more complex cloud-support requirements. The GCA reported more than 46,000 services and more than 4,000 suppliers on its G-Cloud 14 page; those figures are not current G-Cloud 15 counts.
Who can use G-Cloud?
The live G-Cloud 15 agreement page contains the controlling “available for” list. It covers eligible public-sector customers rather than the whole UK economy. Typical categories include central-government departments and agencies, local authorities, NHS and other health bodies, education organisations, emergency services, charities, devolved administrations and certain overseas territories, subject to the agreement’s eligibility wording.
A private company cannot automatically buy through G-Cloud, and an overseas public body should not assume eligibility. Confirm the customer category and any onboarding requirements on the current agreement page before starting a procurement.
What can—and cannot—be bought
Usually in scope
- Cloud infrastructure, compute, storage and networking.
- Managed platforms and infrastructure software.
- Hosted business applications and SaaS subscriptions.
- Cloud migration, implementation, architecture and optimisation.
- Monitoring, security-related support, backup, continuity and disaster-recovery assistance.
Do not force these requirements onto G-Cloud
- Physical data-centre co-location.
- Staff augmentation, interim recruitment or contingent labour.
- Non-cloud services.
- Bespoke digital outcomes where the requirement is for a developed product rather than an existing cloud service.
- Large, unusually integrated transformation or support programmes needing a detailed competition and tailored commercial model.
For bespoke digital work, the GCA points buyers to Digital Outcomes and Specialists. Major transformation may fit Technology Services or another technology agreement. Recruitment and pure consultancy require their relevant frameworks.
How a public-sector buyer purchases
- Define the requirement: outcome, users, volumes, deployment model, data classification, security, integrations, migration, service levels, exit and budget.
- Check eligibility and scope: confirm the organisation can use G-Cloud and that the requirement belongs in the chosen lot.
- Search the catalogue: filter by lot and category, then read the full service definition, pricing and terms rather than relying on marketing summaries.
- Create a defensible longlist: compare functional and technical fit, security, service management, price, resilience and exit provisions.
- Apply the permitted award route: use direct award only where the current agreement and buyer guide allow it; run a further competition where required or proportionate.
- Evaluate and record: retain the search, requirements, shortlist, scoring, approvals, conflicts checks and award rationale.
- Complete the call-off: identify the supplier and service, price, contacts, schedules, service levels and any permitted special terms using the correct G-Cloud documents.
- Manage delivery: monitor usage, incidents, security, data handling, price changes, resilience, supplier performance and exit readiness.
The Contract Award Service supports catalogue searching, requests for information or expressions of interest, direct awards, further competitions, contract awards, feedback and audit trails. The Digital Marketplace remains the catalogue and supplier-facing environment.
Direct award versus further competition
Direct award
A direct award can be faster where the framework procedure permits it and one listed service demonstrably meets the requirement. The buyer must still define the need, search relevant services, apply the stated criteria, justify the choice, avoid predetermination and retain evidence. “G-Cloud” does not mean “choose any supplier without competition.”
Further competition
Further competition is appropriate when the agreement requires it, the requirement is complex, suppliers must submit tailored proposals or implementation and integration are substantial. G-Cloud 14 Lot 4 required this route. Its documented process included a statement of requirements, request for information, tender documents, issue to identified suppliers, evaluation, award and notification of unsuccessful suppliers; see the Lot 4 procedure.
Do not assume every G-Cloud 15 purchase is direct-awarded or that every purchase needs a mini-competition. Use its final buyer guide and Framework Schedule 7.
Contract duration and transition
Under G-Cloud 14, a call-off could last up to 36 months with one extension of up to 12 months, for a maximum of 48 months, subject to additional central-government restrictions. Those limits must not be carried over to G-Cloud 15 without checking its final schedules; supplier material indicates different potential periods for Lots 1a and 1b.
An existing G-Cloud 14 contract does not automatically transfer to G-Cloud 15. Check its terms, remaining framework life, extension powers and the procurement-law consequences of any replacement. Crown Commercial Service became the Government Commercial Agency on 1 April 2026; older CCS-branded documents remain contractually relevant where the GCA says they do.
Recommended Free Tools
Pricing and total cost
Catalogue prices are only one part of the commercial assessment. Compare total cost, including:
- consumption, storage growth and minimum commitments;
- implementation, migration, integration and training;
- support tiers, premium incident handling and security tooling;
- data egress or extraction;
- licence changes, inflation and usage assumptions; and
- termination, transition and exit assistance.
Cloud consumption can be difficult to forecast, so model realistic and high-demand scenarios. A low unit rate or day rate may not be the lowest whole-life cost.
For G-Cloud 14, suppliers had to publish pricing and could not use “price on application”, price ranges or “prices from” in the pricing document. Permitted amendments could reduce prices or add discounts, but suppliers could not increase prices during the framework term. These rules should not be assumed to apply unchanged to G-Cloud 15; read its final pricing documents. The G-Cloud 14 requirements are described in the supplier guidance and the G-Cloud 14 FAQ.
Security, data protection and resilience
Framework appointment is not universal security accreditation. The buyer remains responsible for deciding whether a service is suitable for its data and risk profile. Assess:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- government data classification and departmental accreditation;
- identity, privileged access, encryption, logging and monitoring;
- vulnerability management and incident response;
- business continuity and disaster recovery;
- subcontractors, data location and international transfers;
- UK GDPR and Data Protection Act responsibilities;
- Cyber Essentials or other required assurance; and
- data portability, deletion and practical exit.
G-Cloud 15’s published material includes schedules for security, continuity and disaster recovery, exit management, data processing, cyber security and sustainability. Treat those schedules as operational requirements, not legal footnotes.
How suppliers join and win work
- Monitor GCA notices and supplier-engagement events.
- Register on the required central digital procurement platform.
- Read the invitation to tender, lot specifications and contract schedules.
- Prepare service descriptions, pricing, technical evidence, quality and social-value responses, certificates and terms.
- Submit within the tender window and respond to clarifications.
- If appointed, maintain accurate listings, prices and contractual information and answer buyer opportunities.
G-Cloud 15 required registration on the central digital platform before bidding; its stated tender opening date was 23 October 2025. For G-Cloud 14 Lots 1–3, supplier submissions included pricing, service definition and service-specific terms, with optional SFIA rate cards and modern-slavery statements.
Being admitted to a lot, having a published listing and winning a call-off are three different events. Framework admission is not guaranteed revenue. SMEs may gain visibility and a repeatable route to public buyers, but must budget for bid writing, compliance, security evidence, sales uncertainty, delivery capacity and potential partnership arrangements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Buyer checklist
- Is the requirement genuinely cloud hosting, software or cloud support?
- Is the selected G-Cloud 15 lot correct?
- Is direct award permitted, or is further competition required?
- Have integration, migration, security, resilience and exit been specified?
- Does total cost include usage, support, egress and transition?
- Can the supplier and subcontractors deliver at the required scale?
- Is the award rationale auditable?
- Have the correct current framework and call-off documents been used?
Supplier checklist
- Is the service description specific and searchable rather than generic?
- Are pricing assumptions, exclusions and usage units clear?
- Do technical, security, quality and social-value claims match the contract?
- Can delivery capacity, subcontracting and financial resilience be evidenced?
- Are migration, support, data extraction and exit costs understood?
- Will listings and prices be kept current?
- Is the business case viable without assuming guaranteed government sales?
When another route is better
| Requirement | Potentially better route |
|---|---|
| Bespoke digital product or outcome | Digital Outcomes and Specialists |
| Major technology transformation | Technology Services or another technology framework |
| Recruitment or contingent labour | Relevant resourcing framework |
| Pure consultancy or business strategy | Applicable consultancy framework |
| Physical rack or facility space | Data-centre or co-location procurement |
For unusual, highly integrated or very large requirements, a route supporting detailed competition and tailored terms may produce a safer outcome than forcing the purchase into a catalogue process.
Frequently asked questions
Is G-Cloud mandatory for every government cloud purchase?
No. It is a framework route, not a universal mandate. Buyers must select a lawful and suitable procurement route.
Rank #4
Can a private company buy through G-Cloud?
Not automatically. G-Cloud is for the eligible customer categories stated in the live agreement.
Does listing mean a supplier is approved for every government use?
No. Appointment confirms framework requirements were met; buyers still assess security, suitability, risk and performance.
What happens to G-Cloud 14 contracts?
They remain governed by their existing framework and call-off terms. They do not automatically become G-Cloud 15 contracts.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
When will G-Cloud 15 accept new suppliers?
It is an open framework with reopening points at 18 and 36 months. Check GCA notices and the live tender documents for the applicable window.
Can buyers negotiate any price they want?
Only within the applicable framework and call-off rules. Buyers should compare published and permitted commercial terms and document the outcome.
The Bottom Line
G-Cloud 15 is a structured route for eligible UK public-sector organisations to buy cloud infrastructure, software and support. Its value is speed, common terms and supplier choice—not automatic compliance, automatic competition exemption or guaranteed low cost. Buyers should use the current lot and award rules, while suppliers should treat framework appointment as access to opportunities rather than a promise of work.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
