How to Apply for G-Cloud 15: A Complete Guide for UK Tech Suppliers

The countdown to G-Cloud 15 has begun

The UK government’s next major cloud framework, G-Cloud 15, is now open for applications on and will close early in January 2026.
If your company offers cloud software, hosting, or support services, this is chance to secure a position on a multi-billion-pound framework that makes selling to the public sector simpler, faster, and far more transparent.

But getting onto G-Cloud 15 isn’t automatic. The application is detailed, legally binding, and governed under the Procurement Act 2023 - a new set of rules since the last round (G-Cloud 14) under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

So, if you’re wondering how to apply for G-Cloud 15, here’s a clear, step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Understand what G-Cloud 15 is

G-Cloud is part of the UK Government’s Digital Marketplace (now hosted on the Crown Commercial Service platform). It allows public sector buyers - from councils to NHS trusts and central government departments - to purchase cloud services from pre-approved suppliers.

Being listed means your business is visible, trusted, and easy to buy from. It removes the need for long tender processes and opens the door to contracts that can transform a company’s growth trajectory.

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

To apply for G-Cloud 15, you must:

• Offer a cloud-based service (Software, Platform, or Infrastructure as a Service)

• Be a legally registered business in the UK or overseas

• Comply with the Procurement Act 2023, data protection, and cyber security requirements

• Agree to the G-Cloud framework terms and conditions, which form a binding contract with the Crown Commercial Service

If you’re an international supplier, you can apply too - provided your service is accessible to UK public sector buyers and you can trade legally within the UK.

Step 3: Register on the Digital Marketplace

Before you can apply, you’ll need to:

1. Create an account on the Central Digital Platform.

2. Register your organisation and verify details such as company name, registration number, and VAT.

3. Assign a lead contact - the person responsible for managing your submission.

It sounds simple, but errors here can invalidate an application later. Ensure every detail exactly matches your official company records.

Step 4: Prepare your documentation

The G-Cloud application is comprehensive. You’ll need to prepare:

• A full service description written in plain English

• Pricing and service levels

• Data protection policies, Social Value Policies and security certifications (e.g. ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials)

• Accessibility and sustainability statements

• Proof that your service is genuinely cloud-based

Many suppliers fail at this stage because they submit incomplete or unclear documentation.
Remember: every answer you provide becomes part of your offer.

Step 5: Complete the application correctly

Once applications open, you’ll submit your responses via the procurement portal.

The form includes mandatory questions covering:

• Service category (Software, Hosting, or Support)

• Pricing model and contract terms

• Data handling and storage

• Technical support and service levels

• Subcontracting and SME engagement

Ticking the wrong box or misunderstanding a clause can result in automatic exclusion. This is why many tech firms choose to partner with consultants trained in the Procurement Act 2023, to ensure full compliance from the outset.

Step 6: Review before submission

Before hitting submit:

• Recheck every section for completeness

• Confirm pricing is consistent across documents

• Verify compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 principles: transparency, fair treatment, and value for money

• Ensure no claims are misleading or unsubstantiated

A meticulous review is often the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Step 7: Plan your go-to-market strategy

Getting on the framework is only stage one. Once listed, your business must actively market its G-Cloud services to public sector buyers.

This involves:

• Optimising your G-Cloud listing for search

• Building a clear public sector proposition

• Directly targeting buyers through sales

• Engaging through targeted outreach on LinkedIn and digital channels

• Responding to buyer requests quickly and professionally

In short: you must get on the framework and then get out of it - meaning, generate actual sales.

Why it matters now

After January 2026, the G-Cloud 15 framework will close and remain locked until reopening.
If you miss this window, your business will be excluded from billions in potential public sector opportunities until the next iteration.

Applying correctly, on time, and in line with the new legislation is therefore mission-critical.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming last year’s G-Cloud application process still applies

• Copying content from commercial bids without adapting it to public sector standards

• Failing to evidence security and compliance measures

• Submitting too late – procurement portals often freezes under final-day traffic

Act early. Build your documentation now.

How Nexus Procurement Solutions can help

At Nexus Procurement Solutions, we specialise in helping UK and international tech companies successfully apply for G-Cloud 15 under the new Procurement Act.

As some of the few Advanced Practitioners of the Act trained by the Cabinet Office, we offer a turnkey service - Ludify G-Cloud - “Let Us Do It For You.”

We handle:

• Full G-Cloud 15 submission and compliance

• Document preparation and review

• Procurement Act alignment

• Framework strategy and post-award growth planning

We’ve sat on both sides of the table - as buyers and suppliers - and provide insight in to what public sector procurement teams are looking for.

Act now

Applications for G-Cloud 15 open 26 October 2025.
The most successful suppliers begin their preparation months in advance.

If you’d like expert support or a readiness assessment, contact Nexus today to secure your place before the window closes.

Secure your G-Cloud 15 listing. Secure your future in the public sector market.

This article reflects Nexus Procurement Solutions’ professional perspective on current procurement developments and does not constitute formal advice.