The UK Government have re-opened their G-Cloud 11 for supplier applications: Read more to find out what that means for your business
We will be opening G-Cloud 11 on Monday 25th March for new and current suppliers. Prospective suppliers must sign up to apply. Find out more information here: https://t.co/douceyTUoL #GCloud11 pic.twitter.com/1Bs4LQmLLd
— Digital Marketplace (@GOVUKdigimkt) March 20, 2019
The UK government G-Cloud programme was instated to change how IT is perceived and used throughout the Nation. Then, the programme can deliver cyber capabilities, using the accessible cloud computing system.
The Digital Marketplace is a publicly accessible portal created from agreements between the UK government and many service providers, which side-steps the need for Public Sector organisations to enter the full tender process.
Government frameworks are agreements between the government and suppliers. The basic terms of use are agreed by both parties after a contract notice is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
Buying services through frameworks is faster and cheaper than entering into individual procurement contracts. Buyers and suppliers still need to sign a contract (or ‘call-off contract’) for each service bought through a framework.
You can buy or sell:
• Cloud services (for example content delivery networks or accounting software) through the G-Cloud framework
• Digital outcomes, digital specialists and user research services through the Digital
Outcomes and Specialists framework
The government has stated that it wants to shift 50% of IT spending to cloud-based services by 2015. They also proposed the “Cloud First” approach: in which Central Government only buys IT services through the cloud unless the alternative is cheaper.
Similar to an innocent until proven guilty judgement, the onus is on the State to present evidence that would enable them to exit this procurement circle.
The G-Cloud framework is usually given an update every six to nine months.
Simon Hansford, CEO at UKCloud comments:
“Since its inception, G-Cloud aimed to open the market to smaller businesses looking to compete for Government contracts. This happened at the start, however over the last couple of years we’ve seen a return of Government awarding contracts to big tech companies over SMEs.
“Having a vibrant SME community not only drives innovation throughout government but significantly reduces costs and increases competition.
“As such, we expect the launch of G-Cloud 11 to present strong opportunities for SMEs given Government’s renewed commitment to increasing SME spend.”
The G-Cloud 11 framework is now open for supplier applications. The application deadline is 5 pm BST, 15 May 2019.
Read the G-Cloud suppliers’ guide to learn how to submit services to the G-Cloud framework.
If you need any more information about frameworks, email enquiries@digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
