Kainos wins GBP £150 million Defra digital contract

Kainos has secured a contract worth up to GBP £150 million with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to support digital delivery and transformation across the department and its arm’s length bodies.

The agreement forms part of Defra’s Application Development, Maintenance and Support (ADMS Plus) programme. It will run for an initial four-year term and includes an option for a one-year extension.

Under the contract, Kainos will provide application development and maintenance support across a range of digital programmes. The work is intended to support Defra’s move towards digital-first public services and the ongoing modernisation of its technology estate.

The company will work alongside a UK-based partner ecosystem that includes TPXimpact and Envitia. The contract is structured to support AI-enabled delivery throughout the digital application lifecycle.

Contract scope

The agreement covers several areas of digital delivery and operations. Kainos will provide expertise in application development, maintenance, DevOps, digital transformation, build and transition activities, end-to-end software development, and data management.

The scope also includes support for the delivery and operation of digital services used by citizens, organisations and stakeholders that interact with Defra and its agencies.

Defra is responsible for policy and operational areas including water regulation, flood risk management, biosecurity, wildlife conservation and environmental protection. The department also oversees a broad range of public services and regulatory functions.

The contract is expected to contribute to Defra’s efforts to modernise legacy systems and improve the efficiency and resilience of its digital infrastructure.

Digital delivery

Kainos said the programme will support accelerated delivery through the use of AI-enabled processes across software development and service management functions.

The company has worked with Defra on a range of previous programmes. These projects have included work related to the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Border Target Operating Model and digital inspection systems designed to support biosecurity measures.

The latest agreement extends that relationship and expands the company’s role across Defra’s wider digital estate.

Partner support

TPXimpact and Envitia will support delivery under the contract as part of the wider supplier ecosystem.

The arrangement reflects the increasing use of multi-supplier delivery models across government technology programmes, particularly where departments require a combination of software engineering, data management and operational support capabilities.

The contract is designed to support delivery across the full lifecycle of digital applications, from development and deployment through to maintenance and ongoing service management.

Defra focus

Defra has continued to increase investment in digital capabilities as part of broader efforts to improve service delivery and operational effectiveness across the department and its associated bodies.

The department’s responsibilities span environmental protection, food systems, agriculture, animal and plant health, flood resilience and natural resource management. Digital systems play a central role in supporting those activities and enabling public access to services.

“We are delighted to have been appointed to the Defra ADMS Plus contract and to be partnering with Defra to deliver high-impact digital services that restore nature, support growth and enhance security. We are proud of our 12-year history working together to deliver critical programmes such as EU Exit, Border Target Operating Model and digital inspection systems to protect biosecurity, and we are looking forward to contributing to the protection of our natural resources moving forward,” said Daniel Kemp, Digital Services Director, Kainos.