G-Cloud
The CCS framework for cloud-based digital services; suppliers publish service descriptions, buyers select directly from the catalogue.
Definition
G-Cloud is the Crown Commercial Service framework for cloud-based digital services, hosting many thousands of cloud and digital services from hundreds of UK and international suppliers. Buyers in central government, NHS, local authorities, and the wider public sector use G-Cloud to procure cloud hosting, cloud software, cloud support, and related digital services. The framework operates entirely on a Direct Award basis: suppliers publish detailed service descriptions, pricing, and terms in the Digital Marketplace catalogue, and buyers select directly without further competition.
How it works in practice
G-Cloud refreshes roughly annually; suppliers apply during the open application window, list their services and pricing, and (subject to passing the standard selection criteria) join the framework for the next iteration. The framework is divided into lots: Cloud Hosting (IaaS, PaaS), Cloud Software (SaaS), and Cloud Support. Suppliers can apply to multiple lots if their offering spans categories. Service descriptions are the single most important authoring task: buyers search the catalogue by keyword and filter, so service descriptions need to be searchable, accurate, and detailed enough to support a direct-award decision. Pricing models are flexible but must be transparent: per-user-per-month, per-transaction, fixed-price implementation, support packages. Buyer journey: search Digital Marketplace, identify candidate services, evaluate against the procurement requirement using the published service descriptions and pricing, document the selection rationale (often a short comparison matrix), and place the call-off contract using the standard G-Cloud Order Form. The whole journey can complete in days for routine services and weeks for complex ones. KimonBids G-Cloud module helps suppliers maintain optimised catalogue listings and surfaces buyer activity (which services are being viewed, downloaded, called off) so suppliers can refine their listings to attract more direct awards.
Common questions
How long does G-Cloud framework membership last?
Each iteration runs typically 12 months. Suppliers reapply at each refresh; service descriptions and pricing can be updated between iterations through the supplier portal. The annual cycle keeps the catalogue current with rapidly-evolving cloud market.
How are call-offs awarded under G-Cloud?
Entirely by direct award. Buyers search the catalogue, evaluate against their requirement, and select directly. They must document the selection rationale but no further competition is needed. The model trades upfront supplier effort (detailed catalogue listings) for ongoing low-friction call-offs.
What goes wrong with G-Cloud listings?
Common failures: vague service descriptions that do not surface in keyword search; pricing that is incomplete or unclear (especially around configuration cost); missing or weak case study evidence; long or templated descriptions that lose buyer attention. Strong listings are specific, evidence-backed, and competitively priced with transparent pricing models.