The countdown to G-Cloud 11 begins
Today sees the launch of the biennial process for companies to apply to join the government's cloud computing and technology framework, G-Cloud, now in its eleventh iteration.
Frameworks are agreements between the government buyers and suppliers, and are a popular route to market as they are often faster and cheaper to use than entering into individual procurement contracts.
For example, in 2017-18 public sector buyers purchased £4bn of technology solutions from the private sector through various government technology frameworks, including cloud and digital, networks, software and other technology, products and services.
The G-Cloud framework is focused on suppliers who can provide the government and other public sector buyers with cloud-based services. G-Cloud services are divided into 3 categories, or ‘lots’:
- cloud hosting, for example content delivery networks or load balancing services
- cloud software, for example accounting tools or customer service management software
- cloud support, for example migration services or ongoing support
Suppliers who are already registered as providers on G-Cloud 10 have been reminded by the authority managing the process, the Liverpool based Crown Commercial Services, that they still need to apply to join G-Cloud 11 as all G-Cloud 10 services will be removed when G-Cloud 11 services are live.
If you are a supplier who has never previously applied to sell services on any of the previous versions of G-Cloud, then create a supplier account on the government's Digital Marketplace portal to apply to G-Cloud 11.
| Date | Activity |
| Mon, 25 March 2019 | G-Cloud 11 opens for applications and you can start asking clarification questions |
| Tue, 30 April 2019, 5pm | Deadline for asking clarification questions |
| Wed, 8 May 2019, 5pm` | Answers to clarification questions will be published on the Gov.UK Digital Marketplace |
| Wed, 15 May 2019, 5pm | Applications for G-Cloud 11 close |
| Fri, 21 June - Mon, 1 July 2019 | Standstill period |
| Tue, 2 July 2019 | Expected start date for framework |
