For the first time ever, GDS have released draft versions of the legal documents for the G-Cloud framework before opening it for applications. This gives prospective Suppliers early visibility to understand whether they should apply. Prospective Suppliers can ask questions or seek clarifications about these draft legal documents when G-Cloud 9 opens for applications.

Draft framework agreement

This is the agreement between the government and suppliers. It sets out the basic terms and conditions for buying and selling G-Cloud 9 services.

Draft call-off contract

This is the individual contract between the buyer and the supplier. It specifies the terms, conditions and prices of the services being bought. There are additional schedules that can be added to a call-off contract, these are the collaboration agreement, alternative clauses and guarantee.

Summaries of the changes made to the legal documents can be found here:

• Framework agreement changes
• Call off contract changes

Essential information and guidance on how to apply for G-Cloud 9 can be found here

Suppliers who don't have an account on the Digital Marketplace can create a supplier account here. Suppliers with an account will be sent an email to let them know when G Cloud 9 is open for applications.

We already know that all G-Cloud 7 and G-Cloud 8 services will be removed, and suppliers must submit for G-Cloud 9 to continue selling G-Cloud services on the Digital Marketplace. Note that latest guidance states that for buyers, no new procurements for G8 services can start after the date that G-Cloud 9 services are live on the Digital Marketplace, and any G-Cloud 8 procurements already underway must be completed by the framework's expiry date on 28 July 2017.

GDS state that the existing lot structure was confusing for some users as it wasn't an accurate representation of the cloud technology market. There will now be three lots called "Cloud hosting", "Cloud software" and "Cloud support", with a primary and secondary category to help buyers to focus in on what they actually need. The draft categories can be found here.

The draft questions have now been released and are more specific to the technology being bought, and align more clearly with the NCSC cloud security principles. The drafts are available below, with feedback being sought by the Digital Marketplace team.

cloud hosting [https://digitalmarketplace.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2017/02/g-cloud-9-hosting-questions.csv] cloud software [https://digitalmarketplace.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2017/02/g-cloud-9-software-questions.csv] cloud support [https://digitalmarketplace.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2017/02/g-cloud-9-support-questions.csv]

If you have any comments on the draft questions and categories, then simply update the comments column in the files and send to [email protected].

They will be collecting feedback until 22 February 2017

Management charge for G-Cloud 9 will be increased from 0.5% to 0.75% of all charges billed by the supplier to the buyer. This is in response to the 2015/16 Government Spending Review.

When G-Cloud 9 services go live on the Digital Marketplace, all G-Cloud 7 and G-Cloud 8 services will be removed. All existing suppliers who want to continue offering G-Cloud services need to apply to G-Cloud 9.

Although you won?t be able to start your online application until March, you can create a Digital Marketplace account now. We?ll remind everyone here when they can start their application.