How to Get on a UK Public Sector Framework as a Startup

UK central government, the NHS, councils and arms-length bodies spent over £14bn through digital procurement frameworks last year. The two that matter for early-stage SaaS companies are G-Cloud (off-the-shelf cloud software) and Digital Outcomes & Specialists, now DOS6 (outcome-based delivery work). Getting on either is far easier than founders assume — and far harder to do well.

Which framework is right for you

• G-Cloud — you sell a SaaS product buyers can configure themselves. Three lots: Cloud Hosting, Cloud Software, Cloud Support.
• DOS6 — you deliver outcomes (research, design, development, transformation) with named specialists.
• Crown Commercial Service Spark — innovative tech (drones, IoT, AI) not yet covered by mainstream frameworks.
• NHS Shared Business Services frameworks — for clinical and operational software targeting the NHS specifically.

Eligibility — the bar is lower than you think

You do not need to be profitable, have three years of accounts, or any previous government work. You do need to be a registered UK or EEA company, hold indemnity insurance (typically £1m public liability and £1m–£5m PI), pass a basic financial check, and not be on an excluded list.

Why most applications get rejected

Generic service descriptions. Buyers search the digital marketplace by keyword. 'AI-powered platform that drives transformation' returns nothing. 'Document classification API for case-management workflows' returns you.

Pricing that hides the real number. Buyers filter by maximum day rate or per-user cost. Quoting only 'POA' or vague ranges gets you skipped.

Missing the security evidence. For G-Cloud you must answer 14 security questions and provide evidence (Cyber Essentials Plus is the practical floor; ISO 27001 is the credibility ceiling).

What actually wins work once you are on

Being listed is necessary but not sufficient. Buyers find suppliers via the search filters, then shortlist three to ten and request demos. Two things drive shortlisting: keyword match in your service definition, and a one-page service description that answers 'what is it, who is it for, what does it cost, what is the SLA, who else uses it'. The buyer is reading 30 of these in an afternoon. Make yours scannable.

Realistic timeline

• Application window opens once a year per framework — set a calendar reminder
• First-time application: 4–6 weeks of focused effort
• Award to live on the marketplace: ~6 weeks after framework launch
• First contract: typically 3–9 months after going live