Navigating the G-Cloud 15 framework successfully is an essential step for any UK public sector organisation looking to deliver digital transformation at pace. As the government shifts to this new iteration under the Procurement Act 2023, the landscape of purchasing cloud hosting, software, and support services is undergoing its most significant update in years. The familiar routine of simple direct awards and basic compliance checks is evolving into a far more rigorous, value-driven process. For commercial leads and procurement teams, this means adapting to expanded lot structures, stricter security standards, and the brand new Central Digital Platform.
Whether you are securing critical infrastructure for defence or collaborative software for a local council, this guide explores exactly what has changed and how you can confidently navigate the new requirements to get your digital projects moving.
What is the G-Cloud 15 framework and how does it benefit public sector buyers?
G-Cloud 15 is the fifteenth iteration of the Crown Commercial Service framework designed to give public sector buyers a secure and simplified route to market. It replaces G-Cloud 14 and serves as the primary purchasing vehicle for cloud hosting, software, and support services.
Crucially, G-Cloud 15 is the first iteration procured under the new Procurement Act 2023. It operates as an open framework, which marks a major departure from previous versions. The framework will run for four years in total, consisting of three overlapping sub-frameworks awarded for terms of 18 months, followed by a final 12-month term. This open structure is highly beneficial for public sector buyers because it allows new technology firms to join the marketplace at regular intervals. Rather than waiting years for a framework refresh, buyers will have continuous access to the latest market innovations.
How does G-Cloud 15 compare to G-Cloud 14?
To make informed purchasing decisions, procurement teams must understand exactly what has changed from the previous framework. The government has introduced stricter controls and wider evaluation criteria to ensure the public sector receives maximum value and security.
The most notable differences are highlighted in the table below:
A significant operational shift is the mandatory move to the Central Digital Platform, which replaces the old Digital Marketplace platform. This centralised hub is designed to improve transparency and streamline the bidding process for both buyers and suppliers. Furthermore, buyers now have the explicit authority to run mini-competitions among G-Cloud suppliers, allowing them to test the market thoroughly before awarding large contracts.
How is the new lot structure defined for public sector procurement?
To make purchasing as intuitive as possible, the G-Cloud 15 framework agreement is divided into specific categories known as lots. Each lot is dedicated to a distinct type of technology or service, which prevents buyers from sifting through irrelevant offerings.
The new structure expands from four to five primary lots to provide better categorisation:
- Lot 1a Cloud hosting (IaaS and PaaS): This covers Infrastructure as a Service and Platform as a Service. It allows maximum contract terms of up to eight years, comprising an initial five years followed by up to three optional 12-month extensions.
- Lot 1b Above official security hosting: This is a newly defined space for infrastructure services that operate above the standard official security tier, catering specifically to highly sensitive government and defence environments.
- Lot 2a Infrastructure Software as a Service (I-SaaS): This covers software accessed securely over the internet, allowing for a maximum term of six years (an initial four years plus two optional extension years).
- Lot 2b Software as a Service (SaaS): This lot is reserved for general software applications, including collaborative team tools and case management systems.
- Lot 3 Cloud support services: This includes additional services to help buyers set up, maintain, and migrate to cloud platforms safely and efficiently.
Understanding these categories is vital for procurement success. Identifying the correct lot ensures that buyers evaluate the right type of supplier which keeps the procurement process fully compliant and highly efficient.
What are the key compliance and security standards for suppliers?
Because the public sector handles highly sensitive citizen data, suppliers listed on the framework must meet stringent compliance standards. Government buyers rely on these pre-vetted qualifications to ensure their digital supply chains remain secure against emerging threats.
Under G-Cloud 15, evaluations are no longer simple pass or fail exercises. Bids will be heavily scrutinised on social value, environmental impact, and financial stability. If a supplier is offering services in major cloud infrastructure lots, they must provide a comprehensive Carbon Reduction Plan outlining their greenhouse gas emissions and reduction strategies. Additionally, suppliers will be required to submit a Modern Slavery Statement to prove they are actively preventing unethical practices within their supply chains.
Financial resilience is also a major focus. Suppliers applying for critical categories, such as cloud hosting, will undergo a Financial Viability Risk Assessment at the Gold level. This deep dive into a company's financial accounts ensures they possess the economic stability required to deliver massive public sector workloads.
Security certifications have also become stricter. Suppliers on Lots 2a, 2b, and 3 must possess a valid Cyber Essentials certification. For the more critical infrastructure environments in Lots 1a and 1b, suppliers are mandated to hold Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO/IEC 20000-1 certifications.
How do buyers manage the new call off contract process?
Once a supplier is selected, the engagement is formalised through a call off contract. G-Cloud 15 completely overhauls this process. The old bespoke G-Cloud terms have been replaced by a modular contract based on the Public Sector Contract, the government standard template that is fully compliant with the Procurement Act 2023.
While this provides long-term stability, it also introduces complexity. The Public Sector Contract consists of over 50 separate documents, meaning contracting authorities must carefully select which core terms, joint schedules, and call-off schedules apply to their specific purchase.
One major change sits within Call-Off Schedule 1 regarding Intellectual Property Rights. Buyers must now choose from four distinct ownership options:
- The buyer owns all new intellectual property with limited supplier rights.
- The buyer owns all new intellectual property with non-exclusive supplier rights.
- The supplier owns all new intellectual property with buyer rights for the current contract only.
- The supplier owns all new intellectual property with buyer rights extending to broader public sector functions.
Managing these contracts effectively is crucial for long term success. Procurement teams must clearly define their acceptance criteria and establish structured service review meetings using the new, highly detailed performance monitoring schedules provided within the Public Sector Contract template.
How do digital squads eliminate delivery challenges?
Securing your new cloud infrastructure through the G-Cloud 15 framework is a brilliant milestone, but it only solves the initial procurement hurdle. The reality is that buying the technology does nothing to clear the execution backlog waiting back at the office. When public sector teams lack the immediate internal engineering bandwidth to build, test, and migrate these complex workloads, vital public services can stall before they ever launch.
Bridging this capability gap requires governed capacity you can rely on right now, rather than waiting on months of recruitment overhead. This is where a digital squad becomes an invaluable asset. At Satigo, we understand that regulated organisations require speed, control, and assured outcomes. To provide that immediate practical support, we deploy pre-qualified, multi-disciplinary digital squads that plug directly into your existing delivery structures. The beauty of this approach is that your internal leadership retains complete strategic control of the project roadmap, while our specialists seamlessly integrate with your team to take on the hands-on technical heavy lifting. It is a highly collaborative model designed to help your department bypass hiring delays, transfer delivery risk away from your permanent staff, and turn your approved cloud procurement into actual working infrastructure.
If you are ready to turn your newly approved procurement into a measurable, working reality without the usual growing pains, reach out to our team today. Let us discuss how a digital squad can integrate with your department and accelerate your upcoming migration.
