What is G‑Cloud? Your Ultimate Guide to G‑Cloud 15

The UK Government’s G‑Cloud framework has transformed how cloud services are procured across the public sector. It streamlines procurement, reduces red tape, and creates opportunities for both established providers and agile SMEs to deliver secure, scalable digital solutions.

Now in its fifteenth iteration, G‑Cloud continues to evolve, with updated requirements, service categories and procurement processes reflecting changes across the UK public sector procurement landscape.

In this guide, we’ll explain what G‑Cloud is, how the framework has evolved including updates introduced in G‑Cloud 15. We also look at what the latest framework means for public sector organisations looking to procure secure cloud services.

What is G‑Cloud?

G‑Cloud is a UK Government procurement framework launched in 2012 to simplify public sector access to cloud services, such as IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and support. It provides an established route to procure cloud services without having to create a new tender for each opportunity.

G‑Cloud gives public sector buyers access to a catalogue of cloud services from approved framework suppliers, with transparent service information, pricing and terms.

Core principles

• Off‑the‑shelf solutions with transparent pricing, service information, and terms.
• Faster procurement through an established route to market.
• Broad SME participation – over 90% of suppliers are SMEs.
• Extensive choice, with more than 50,000 services available from over 4,000 suppliers through G‑Cloud 15.

Service categories (Lots)

G‑Cloud is structured into categories, known as “Lots”, covering different classes of cloud services.

G‑Cloud 15 introduced a revised Lot structure. The current categories are:

• Lot 1a: IaaS/PaaS – general
• Lot 1b: IaaS/PaaS – specialising in defence and security
• Lot 2a: SaaS – infrastructure and service management
• Lot 2b: SaaS – all other software
• Lot 3: Cloud Support and MSP services

Why G‑Cloud works

• Speed – an established framework provides a faster, fully compliant route to market, with buyers selecting from a ready‑made catalogue.
• Transparency – buyers have access to clear service information, upfront pricing and established framework terms.
• Compliance – suppliers must meet the relevant commercial, security and contractual requirements of the framework.
• Accessibility – a broad range of suppliers, including SMEs, gives public sector buyers access to extensive choice and specialist expertise.

G‑Cloud 15: Key Updates

G‑Cloud 15 went live on 6 August 2026, replacing G‑Cloud 14. It is the first iteration of G‑Cloud to be let under the Procurement Act 2023 and introduces a revised Lot structure, new call‑off procedures and an open framework model.

Here’s what’s changed.

Regulatory environment

G‑Cloud 15 is the first framework formalised under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into effect in February 2025. The Act introduced a new public procurement regime designed to increase transparency, flexibility and accountability.

Key changes include:

• Open framework model – G‑Cloud 15 can reopen to new suppliers during its four‑year term.
• Two call‑off procedures – buyers can use either award with competition or award without competition, depending on the requirement.
• Greater supplier assessment – suppliers are subject to more substantive checks around areas such as financial viability, quality and technical ability.

A more comprehensive supplier assessment

G‑Cloud 15 introduced a more comprehensive competitive assessment of suppliers than previous iterations, with suppliers evaluated across areas including quality, technical capability, pricing, and financial viability.

• Quality and technical capability – suppliers must demonstrate that their services and commercial offer meet the framework’s requirements.
• Pricing and service information – suppliers must provide clear information about their services and pricing to support buyer assessment and procurement.
• Financial viability – suppliers are subject to financial stability and viability assessments as part of the framework process.

Call‑offs and competition

Being appointed to G‑Cloud 15 provides suppliers with a route to market, but individual customer contracts are awarded separately through the framework’s call‑off process. These call‑offs, rather than the framework award itself, are where specific customer commitments and revenue arise.

What Ascertia’s G‑Cloud 15 award means

Ascertia has retained its place on the G‑Cloud framework for G‑Cloud 15, continuing its longstanding presence on the framework. Under G‑Cloud 15, Ascertia is an appointed supplier under Lot 2b: Software as a Service (SaaS), providing eligible UK public sector organisations with an established route to procure qualifying SaaS services.

• Continued Framework status – Ascertia has successfully secured a place on G‑Cloud 15 following the framework’s competitive supplier assessment.
• Lot 2b appointment – Ascertia is appointed under Lot 2b: Software as a Service (SaaS), covering its qualifying SaaS services.
• Established procurement route – eligible UK public‑sector organisations can procure Ascertia’s in‑scope SaaS services through G‑Cloud 15, in accordance with the framework rules.

What this means for public sector buyers

For eligible public sector buyers, Ascertia’s continued presence on G‑Cloud provides an established route to procure its qualifying SaaS services.

• Established procurement route – buyers can procure Ascertia’s in‑scope SaaS services through G‑Cloud 15.
• Established terms – the framework provides agreed contractual terms, helping simplify the procurement process.
• Call‑off contracts – individual requirements are contracted through the framework’s call‑off process, in line with G‑Cloud 15 rules and the buyer’s procurement requirements.

Buying Ascertia services through G‑Cloud 15

Ascertia’s continued presence on G‑Cloud, under Lot 2b, gives eligible UK public‑sector organisations a recognised route through which they can procure Ascertia’s qualifying SaaS services.

A recognised route to Ascertia’s SaaS services

Ascertia’s continued presence on G‑Cloud 15 under Lot 2b gives eligible UK public sector organisations an established route to procure its qualifying SaaS services.

Looking to procure through G‑Cloud 15?

Ascertia provides secure, standards‑based digital trust solutions used by public sector organisations and enterprises around the world.

If your organisation is exploring digital trust solutions through G‑Cloud 15, our team can help you understand which Ascertia services are available through the framework and how they can support your requirements.

Contact us to discuss your requirements and learn more about how Ascertia’s SaaS services can be procured through G‑Cloud 15.