In this article:
• What the G-Cloud 14 framework is and why it matters for public sector buyers
• What’s new in G-Cloud 14, including its lots, key dates and the recent extension
• A step-by-step guide to buying and running a G-Cloud 14 call-off contract
• How to find, compare and evaluate G-Cloud 14 suppliers
• How Delta eSourcing helps you run a compliant, auditable G-Cloud 14 procurement
Buying cloud services for the public sector no longer has to mean a full open tender. G-Cloud 14 is the latest iteration of the UK’s flagship framework for procuring cloud hosting, software and support — giving buyers access to thousands of pre-vetted suppliers and a faster, compliant route to market. This guide explains what has changed in this version, how to buy from it, how to find the right suppliers, and how the call-off contract works.
The stakes are high because the market is busy and increasingly competitive. According to Delta eSourcing procurement data (February–April 2026), UK buyers published just over 9,000 procurement notices worth a disclosed £403 billion in a single quarter, and awarded 30,841 contracts worth £1.07 trillion across 2,703 buying authorities. Choosing a compliant framework route like G-Cloud 14 lets you move quickly without losing the audit trail those numbers demand.
See how Delta eSourcing helps buyers run compliant procurements across frameworks like G-Cloud 14 — Request a free demo.
Why G-Cloud 14 Matters for Public Sector Buyers
G-Cloud 14 matters because it removes most of the procurement friction from buying cloud and digital services. Rather than running a lengthy open tender, buyers search a catalogue of pre-assessed suppliers whose terms are already agreed, then award directly against clear, published criteria.
That speed is valuable in a transparent, fast-moving market. The Procurement Act 2023 — now in force — has raised expectations on how buying authorities publish and justify their decisions. Delta eSourcing procurement data (February–April 2026) shows buyers are increasingly disclosing contract values, with 3,125 pre-market engagement notices published in the quarter at an average disclosed value of £226.6 million. For buyers, a compliant framework plus a defensible record of every decision is now the baseline, not a nice-to-have.
What is the G-Cloud 14 Framework?
The G-Cloud (or “gcloud”) framework is the UK government’s flagship agreement for buying commodity cloud services. It is managed centrally — by the body formerly known as Crown Commercial Service, which became the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) on 1 April 2026 — and is used across central government, local authorities, the NHS, education and the wider public sector.
The g cloud 14 framework (reference RM1557.14) is the fourteenth iteration. It gives buyers access to roughly 46,000 cloud services from more than 4,000 suppliers, all of whom have signed up to standard terms. Because those terms are pre-agreed, buyers do not need to negotiate contracts from scratch — instead, they select a service and award a call-off contract under the framework’s conditions, following the principles of a well-structured framework agreement in public procurement.
What’s New in G-Cloud 14
Lot structure and service categories
G-Cloud 14 is organised into four lots. Lot 1 (Cloud Hosting) covers infrastructure and platform services such as IaaS, PaaS, storage, content delivery networks, and load balancing services. Lot 2 (Cloud Software) covers SaaS applications, including customer service management software or accounting tools, while Lot 3 (Cloud Support) covers professional services for cloud migration, management and optimisation, including migration services, cloud migration planning, service management, cloud security management, and ongoing support needed to maintain cloud software after go-live. Lot 4 handles larger, more complex cloud support requirements and runs on a “further competition” basis, with a smaller pool of around 42 suppliers.
Framework duration and key dates
G-Cloud 14 went live on 29 October 2024 for an initial 18-month term. Crucially, it has since been extended by six months — a £1.65 billion extension — pushing its end date to 28 October 2026. As a result, that extension buys time to transition to the next iteration without disrupting live call-offs.
Changes to terms and the framework agreement
The g cloud 14 framework agreement keeps the familiar direct-award model for Lots 1–3, while retaining Lot 4 for complex needs that warrant further competition. Standard terms, call-off conditions and the transparency requirements introduced under the Procurement Act 2023 continue to shape how buyers document their decisions.
Supplier onboarding and what comes next
G-Cloud is refreshed regularly, so new suppliers and services can join at each iteration. The application process is completed digitally through the online portal. Suppliers must provide detailed information about their services, submit a pricing document with itemised costs, and declare compliance with framework rules and applicable security standards during application. Its successor, G-Cloud 15 (RM1557.15), is expected to go live around September 2026 with a maximum value of £14 billion — so buyers starting a procurement now should still use G-Cloud 14 while planning for the eventual switch, especially if they previously bought through G-Cloud 13 and need a comparative overview.
Manage tenders and call-offs in one compliant workspace with Delta eSourcing — Request a free demo.
How to Buy from G-Cloud 14
Buying from G-Cloud 14 follows a clear, repeatable path. First, define your requirement in plain terms — the outcome you need, your budget and your timescales, making sure it reflects user needs and whether you need an off the shelf service rather than bespoke digital outcomes, while aligning this with the stages of the public sector procurement cycle. Next, search the Digital Marketplace and G-Cloud framework catalogue, an online catalogue of pre-approved cloud based services for public sector organisations and public sector bodies, and refine the results with keywords until you have a shortlist of suitable services. After that, evaluate those services against published, proportionate criteria (typically the most economically advantageous tender, balancing price and quality), using a tender and procurement management system where appropriate. Finally, award a gcloud 14 call off contract to your chosen supplier under the framework’s standard terms and published service terms.
For Lots 1–3 there is no further competition: you assess the available services and award directly to the one that best meets your requirement. Lot 4, by contrast, uses a further-competition process for larger or more complex support work. Non cloud related services, non cloud technology services and hardware services sit outside G-Cloud and must be bought through other routes. Throughout, keeping a clear record of why you shortlisted, scored and selected each option is what makes the award defensible and supports strong procurement compliance practices.
How to Find and Evaluate G-Cloud 14 Suppliers
Using the supplier search effectively
Finding the right gcloud 14 suppliers starts with the catalogue’s filters. Begin with a broad gcloud 14 supplier search in the online catalogue used by public sector customers, including central government and local government buyers, then narrow by lot, service type, capability and price. Because the catalogue is large, precise keywords and consistent shortlisting criteria save considerable time. Suppliers also need strong service descriptions and service definition documents to stand out in a crowded marketplace when buyers are filtering and shortlisting.
Comparing and shortlisting services
Once you have a shortlist, compare services on a like-for-like basis: buyers should review each supplier’s service definition for detailed information on scope, support, security, and pricing assumptions when comparing services, while weighing quality alongside cost effective solutions. Recording your scoring against each criterion keeps the process fair and transparent — and gives you the evidence trail expected under the Procurement Act 2023 as part of a robust, end-to-end procurement cycle, supporting a defensible procurement process and helping explain the decision to unsuccessful suppliers after award.
G-Cloud 14 Call-Off Contracts Explained
A gcloud 14 call off contract is the actual agreement between you and your chosen supplier, formed under the wider framework agreement. In short, the framework sets the standard terms; the call-off applies them to your specific purchase.
G-Cloud 14 call-offs can typically run for up to 36 months, with the option to extend once for up to a further 12 months — a maximum of 48 months. Central government buyers generally need spend-controls approval for call-offs beyond 24 months and should demonstrate a clear exit strategy. Importantly, a call-off signed before the framework’s 28 October 2026 end date can continue to run afterwards, which is exactly why the extension matters for buyers procuring now.
How Delta eSourcing Helps Buyers Get the Most from G-Cloud 14
Running a framework procurement still creates real admin: capturing requirements, documenting evaluation, awarding the call-off and keeping everything auditable. This is where Delta eSourcing helps. It gives buyers a single, compliant workspace to manage requirements through evaluation to award, with a defensible and auditable record — across G-Cloud 14 and other frameworks, underpinned by Delta’s comprehensive procurement, contract and tender management platform. That also supports public sector organisations pursuing digital transformation through compliant cloud solutions.
That matters in the current climate. With the Procurement Act 2023 raising transparency expectations, and Delta eSourcing procurement data (February–April 2026) showing a more competitive market of over 30,000 awards in a single quarter, a consistent, well-documented process protects both compliance and value for money — and, for public sector bodies, makes it easier to evidence both when decisions are later scrutinised.
G-Cloud 14 FAQs for Buyers
When does G-Cloud 14 start and end?
G-Cloud 14 went live on 29 October 2024 and, following a six-month extension, now runs until 28 October 2026.
How do I search for G-Cloud 14 suppliers?
Use the Digital Marketplace catalogue: run a broad search, then filter by lot, service type and capability to build a shortlist.
What is a G-Cloud 14 call-off contract?
It is the contract you award to a chosen supplier under the framework’s standard terms, typically for up to 36 months plus a possible 12-month extension.
Can I negotiate on G-Cloud 14?
Prices and core terms are set by the framework, so there is limited room to negotiate. For Lots 1–3 you award directly, whereas Lot 4 allows a further-competition process.
How does G-Cloud 14 differ from G-Cloud 13?
G-Cloud 14 refreshes the supplier and service pool, retains the four-lot structure with Lot 4 for complex needs, and reflects the transparency requirements of the Procurement Act 2023.
Key Takeaways for Buyers
G-Cloud 14 remains the quickest compliant route to hosting services, cloud based software and support until G-Cloud 15 arrives. Know the key dates (live since October 2024, extended to 28 October 2026), use the catalogue to find and shortlist the right gcloud 14 suppliers, and award a gcloud 14 call off contract with a clear, documented rationale. Do that well and you gain speed without sacrificing compliance, while helping public sector organisations achieve a smooth transition to latest technology with compliant cloud based services.
Ready to buy from G-Cloud 14 with confidence? Run compliant, auditable procurements across your frameworks — request a free demo of Delta eSourcing.