The UK government launched the third interation of its G-Cloud framework
The UK government launched the third interation of its G-Cloud framework, which its says it has doubled the total value of potential spend from $161 to $322 million.
With this latest round, the government says it has listened to more buyer and supplier feedback, as well as improved identity services, service integration and service management, software support and business process automation.
The second round of procurement for the G-Cloud in late May, adding new suppliers and services including Amazon and Salesforce.
Existing suppliers have the option of staying on with the existing G2 framework, or rolling over their services to the new G3 framework.
The organizers behind G-Cloud sent out invitations to potential providers last week before officially opening the e-buyers portal Monday.
The government says it expects that framework agreements will begin around the end of March.
Since going live last February, the G-Cloud framework has helped streamline the procurement process and has given buyers a greater selection, says the UK government.
The framework has helped earned more than $6.43 million in revenue up to December 31, with 60 percent of these earnings going to SMBs.
The UK government says the third version of the G-Cloud framework features a new and improved ITT application process.
For instance, the process now has a new online ITT submission form that is centered around feedback given by suppliers.
“Since the start of G-Cloud, our intention has always been to run procurements every three to six months, so as to encourage a regular influx of new suppliers and refreshed services,” said a G-Cloud spokesperson. “We believe this is the best way to drive competition, provide greater choice and flexibility for buyers, and help the public sector to deliver better value and more responsive services for citizens and businesses across the UK.”
Talk Back: Are you currently offering hosting or related services through the G-Cloud framework? Are you considering rolling out your services to the new G-Cloud framework? Do you think this latest third round will be a success? Let us know in the comments section.
About Justin Lee
Justin Lee has been a staff analyst with theWHIR since 2004. He writes about a range of web hosting and IT-related issues facing the industry on the WHIR website, as well the print version of the WHIR magazine. Follow him on Twitter @Justin_theWHIR.
