If you’re preparing your G-Cloud 15 application, one of the most important areas you’ll come across is the Economic and Financial Stability (EFS) section. This is where Crown Commercial Service (CCS) checks that your organisation is financially capable of delivering the services you’re offering through the framework.
A key part of this is the Financial Viability Risk Assessment (FVRA). If you’re not sure what the FVRA is, when you need it, where to find the template, or how to submit it in the Digital Marketplace, this guide walks you through everything step-by-step.
What Is the EFS Section in G-Cloud 15?
The Economic and Financial Stability section checks whether your business has the financial capability to deliver the services you’re bidding for.
The FVRA is how you demonstrate this. If you’re required to complete it and don’t, your submission will be marked non-compliant, meaning your entire G-Cloud 15 bid will fail.
Whether you need to submit an FVRA depends on the lot you’re applying for:
Lots That Always Require an FVRA
- Lot 1A
- Lot 1B
Lots That Go Through an Enhanced Financial Sift First
- Lot 2A
- Lot 2B
- Lot 3
If you’re applying for Lots 2A, 2B or 3:
- passing the enhanced sift means you don’t need an FVRA,
- failing the sift means you do.
Make sure you’ve already selected your services, as the FVRA only becomes available once your service selection is complete.
Where to Find the FVRA Template
Before you start completing the FVRA, you’ll need the correct template, and this is something many suppliers don’t realise until later.
Both FVRA templates are located in your G-Cloud 15 tender documents within the Digital Marketplace under the “Tender Documents” section of your application.
There are two versions, and you must download the one that matches your lot:
For Lots 1A and 1B
Download: RM1557.15 Attachment 5a Lots 1a 1b: FVRA Gold
For Lots 2A, 2B and 3
Download: RM1557.15 Attachment 5b Lots 2a 2b 3: FVRA Bronze Plus
Each template is slightly different, so using the wrong version can cause errors or make your submission non-compliant. Once downloaded, you can start entering your financial data into the blue tabs and work through the assessment as needed.
How to Start the FVRA in the Digital Marketplace
Once you’re logged into the Digital Marketplace:
- Go to your G-Cloud 15 application.
- Head to the Financial Viability Risk Assessment section.
- Click Start assessment.
If you’re bidding for Lots 2A, 2B or 3, your enhanced financial sift results will display at this stage. If either you or a consortium member fail the sift, the system will confirm that an FVRA is required.
Click Continue to begin.
FVRA Upload Requirements (Important)
When completing the FVRA questions, you’ll need to upload supporting documents. Make sure you keep these limits in mind:
- Maximum size per file: 20MB
- Maximum upload per page: 100MB
- If your files exceed this, upload them in batches, the system allows it.
After entering all information:
- Click Save and return to review your responses.
- Use Edit if you need to correct anything.
- Uploading a new document automatically replaces the old one.
If you’re applying as part of a consortium, each member must complete financial questions and provide a consortium declaration.
Once everything is complete, click Mark FVRA as complete.
This updates your dashboard and confirms that you have met the financial stability requirements for your lot.
For Lot 1A and 1B suppliers, your process will be the same, just without the enhanced sift result step.
How to Complete the FVRA Template (Step-by-Step)
The FVRA template is a spreadsheet used to assess your organisation’s financial position. It calculates key financial ratios and assigns each one a RAG rating (Red, Amber, Green) to indicate risk.
Here’s how to complete it effectively:
1. Fill in the Blue Tabs
These are the input areas where you enter your financial information. As you update these fields, all ratios are calculated automatically.
2. Check the RAG Thresholds Tab
There’s a dedicated tab that explains:
- each ratio
- the thresholds
- how red, amber, and green ratings are assigned
This helps you understand how the final assessment is generated.
3. Check the Black Assessment Tabs
Start with the 3.1 Lead Bidder Assessment tab.
Here you’ll find:
- your calculated ratios
- each ratio’s RAG rating
- space to add commentary
4. Add Commentary for Amber or Red Ratings
If any ratios score amber or red, you must explain them.
Your commentary provides context that raw numbers can’t. You can refer to supporting evidence such as:
- temporary cash dips
- interim accounts
- projected revenue
- cash flow forecasts
- investment or growth plans
These supporting documents can also be uploaded in the “optional supporting information” section of the Digital Marketplace.
This commentary is a crucial part of the FVRA, it helps CCS understand the full story behind your business’s financial position.
Final Steps to Complete Your EFS Section
Once you’ve:
- filled in the correct FVRA template
- uploaded all required documents
- completed all questions
- and marked the section as complete
…your EFS section is done.
This part of the G-Cloud 15 submission can feel a bit intimidating, but once you understand the flow, it becomes much more manageable.
