Applying to the G-Cloud framework
How to apply to sell cloud hosting, software and support to public sector buyers.
You need to apply to sell your services on the G-Cloud framework.
A framework is an agreement between suppliers and government. All suppliers agree to the same terms when they apply.
Who can apply
All suppliers of cloud services can apply to sell on the G-Cloud framework. You do not need to be based in the UK.
Services you can sell
Cloud hosting
For example, content delivery networks or load balancing services. You’ll need to supply in at least one of these categories:
- archiving, backup and disaster recovery
- compute and application hosting
- container service
- content delivery network
- database
- NoSQL database
- relational database
- data warehousing
- load balancing
- logging and analysis
- message queuing and processing
- networking (including Network as a Service)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- infrastructure and platform security
- distributed denial of service attack (DDOS) protection
- firewall
- intrusion detection
- protective monitoring
- search
- storage
- block storage
- object storage
Cloud software
For example, accounting tools or customer service management software. You’ll need to supply in at least one of these categories:
- accounting and finance
- analytics and business intelligence
- application security
- collaborative working
- creative, design and publishing
- customer relationship management (CRM)
- electronic document and records management (EDRM)
- healthcare
- human resources and employee management
- information and communication technology (ICT)
- legal and enforcement
- marketing
- operations management
- project management and planning
- sales
- schools, education and libraries
- software development tools
- transport and logistics
Cloud support
For example, migration services or ongoing support. You’ll need to supply at least one of these categories:
Cloud Migration Planning
Provides planning services to enable you to move to cloud software and/or hosting services.
Set Up and Migration
Provides setup and migration services which includes the process of consolidating and transferring a collection of workloads. Workloads can include:
- emails
- files
- calendars
- document types
- related metadata
- instant messages
- applications
- user permissions
- compound structure and linked components
Security Services
Protects service against security threats. Also provides services to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of services and information.
Quality Assurance and Performance Testing
Continuously ensures that a service does what it’s supposed to do and meets your users needs efficiently and reliably.
Training
Provides training to ensure your organisation has the ability to optimise the use of cloud based software and services. Also includes training for cloud security management and other cloud and virtualisation topics.
Ongoing Support
Supports user needs by providing help before, during and after providing the service.
When to apply
The new G-Cloud framework timetable is published a few weeks ahead of the application opening date. Find out what to do and when for G-Cloud 14.
To get notifications about framework updates, sign up for emails.
How to apply to G-Cloud 14 lots 1, 2 or 3
If you already sell on G-Cloud 13 you will still need to apply to sell on G-Cloud 14. All G-Cloud 13 services will be removed when the G-Cloud 13 framework agreement expires.
You are not able to reuse your G-Cloud 13 declaration question responses and will need to respond to each question within the application.
You will be able to reuse G-Cloud 13 service question responses (unless the question has changed) along with service descriptions, features and benefits.
You should check your responses and make any necessary changes for G-Cloud 14. You will need to upload your service documents again.
If you’re a new supplier, you’ll need to create an account on the Digital Marketplace to apply.
Log in or create an account on the Digital Marketplace.
Documents you need to include
To apply for G-Cloud 14 lots 1, 2 or 3 you’ll need to supply the following documents:
- pricing document
- terms and conditions document (specific to that service)
- ‘service definition’ document
You can also add:
- Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) rate card
- modern slavery statement
Your documents should:
- meet accessibility standards
- be in Open Document Format (ODF)
- have a maximum file size of 5MB
Read the guidance on creating accessible documents.
Pricing document
Your pricing document must include:
- the service price, including unit prices, volume discounts and data extraction costs
- prices for extra services
Your pricing must not include Price on Application (POA), price ranges or prices from. For example you must not say prices from £X.
Terms and conditions
The service terms and conditions you provide cannot be changed while the framework is live. There can only be one set of terms and conditions.
Service definition document
You are required to provide a service definition document about how your service works. A ‘service definition’ document may include detailed information about:
- what the service is
- the levels of data backup and restore, and disaster recovery you’ll provide, such as business continuity and disaster recovery plans
- any onboarding and offboarding support you provide
- service constraints like maintenance windows or the level of customisation allowed
- service levels like performance, availability and support hours
- after sales support
- any technical requirements
- outage and maintenance management
- hosting options and locations
- access to data (upon exit)
- security
Your service definition document will be on your service page on the Digital Marketplace but it will not be indexed by search.
Do not include links marketing the service or pricing information. You can refer to your website.
How to submit a tender for G-Cloud 14 Lot 4
The scope for G-Cloud 14 Lot 4 is the same as the scope for lot 3 Cloud Support above. G-Cloud 14 lot 4 is for further competition only.
To find out more about G-Cloud 14 lot 4, visit the G-Cloud 14 lot 4 webpage
If you need help to apply for the G-Cloud 14 framework, contact CCS
Crown Commercial Service
cloud_digital@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Last updated 11 March 2024 + show all updates
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Updated reference of G-cloud 13 to 14 after request from CAM
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Updated the following sections: - how to apply - when to apply - cloud support - pricing document
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Updated with information about which documents you'll need to supply when applying to the framework.
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How to apply section: links added to the respective platforms for making an application to the framework. Reference to DOS removed as applications have closed.
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New information for suppliers wanting to supply on the G-Cloud 13 framework, including who can supply and when.
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Service Definition Document - deleted bullet point: 'a pricing overview, including volume discounts or data extraction cost' because all pricing should be in the pricing document.
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Updated to show G-Cloud 12 is closed for applications.
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Update application closing date
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Changing the closing date of applications to 20 July 2020.
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Updated for G Cloud 12 including requirement to provide a service definition document and electronic signature replacing signing and uploading paper documents
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Added opening date for G-Cloud 12 applications
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General overview information about the Digital Marketplace has been removed. Information has been added about how to edit services when the framework is live and how to edit services during the application process.
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The application deadline for G-Cloud 11 has been changed to 22 May at 5pm (BST)
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The G-Cloud 11 framework is now open for applications to suppliers. The application deadline is 5pm BST, 15 May 2019.
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Update to add G-Cloud 11 framework application will open on 25 March 2019. In the 'Who should not apply' section, the colocation service example has changed to 'space the buyer rents from a supplier's datacentre'. The 'Make the supplier declaration on the Digital Marketplace' section now explains how to request declaration as CSV. Information about submitting the framework applications and declaration has been updated to say that applications are automatically submitted on the deadline. Applicants can make any changes up to this date. Content around adding service information and copying over services to new applications is now consolidated under the 'Add your service information on the Digital Marketplace' section. It includes what updates can be made to existing services and how to upload price lists.
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Removed out-of-date references to G-Cloud 8.
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G-Cloud 10 closed for applications
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G-Cloud 10 is open for applications
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G-Cloud details updated
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Revised G-Cloud 10 opening date
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You can now edit part of your G-Cloud 9 services on the Digital Marketplace.
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Updated to show that G-Cloud 9 is closed for applications.
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The G-Cloud 9 framework is now open for applications.
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Updated to reflect changes to categories in the G-Cloud 9 framework.
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The G-Cloud 8 framework is now closed for supplier applications. We expect G-Cloud 9 to be open for supplier applications in early 2017.
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G-Cloud application deadline is now 5pm BST, 23 June 2016.
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G-Cloud 8 is open for supplier applications
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First published.