Guidance

G-Cloud buyers' guide

How to buy cloud services on the Digital Marketplace.

Buying services through the G-Cloud framework

You can use Contract Award Service, accessed through the Public Procurement Gateway (PPG) to buy cloud services through the G-Cloud framework.

A framework is an agreement between government and suppliers. Buying services through frameworks is faster and cheaper than entering into individual procurement contracts.

All public sector organisations, including agencies and arm’s length bodies, can use the Contract Award Service. Eligible customers are listed in the contract notice for the agreement. Buyers will also need to be listed on the customer unique reference number (URN) list.

For further information on how to buy services through G-Cloud, refer to the buyers guide on the CCS webpage.

Published 24 September 2013
Last updated 11 March 2024 + show all updates
  1. Removed all content except the first section at request from CAM

  2. Updated Buying services through the G-Cloud framework section.

  3. Customer Benefits Record are now submitted through a Google form (https://forms.gle/ir3a77A5knkUuiJ38). This replaces a paper form.

  4. Updated number of suppliers on G-Cloud framework from 25,000 to 31,000 Support email address changed to cloud_digital@crowncommercial.gov.uk

  5. Updated steps 2 and 3 of How to buy: a step-by-step guide

  6. Updated how to buy: a step-by-step guide, how to assess services, before you start, how to use keyword search and the introduction to the G-Cloud buyers' guide.

  7. Updated guidance about awarding a contract, declaring the outcome of a saved search and publishing contract details on Contracts Finder.

  8. Buyers need to tell the Digital Marketplace the outcome of a saved search.

  9. You can now save details of your search for cloud services, edit saved searches and download a spreadsheet of your search results.

  10. Updated to reflect changes to the new G-Cloud 9 framework, for example new 'lot' structure.

  11. First published.