Kainos secures £150 million contract with Defra for digital transformation

Kainos, a digital and AI services supplier in the UK, has secured a contract with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) valued at up to £150 million.

The initiative is intended to support Defra’s transition toward a more digital-first approach in public services.

The contract forms part of Defra’s Application, Development, Maintenance and Support (ADMS Plus) procurement strategy. It is planned to run for an initial four-year term, with an optional one-year extension. During this period, Kainos will deliver application development and maintenance services across a range of digital projects within Defra and its associated bodies.

The delivery model includes a UK supplier ecosystem that involves partners such as TPXimpact and Envitia. The contract covers the provision of AI-enabled solutions across the digital application lifecycle, supporting ongoing efforts to modernise services and technology infrastructure.

Kainos’s role includes areas such as DevOps, digital transformation, software development, and data management. The aim is to support improvements in service delivery efficiency, the replacement or enhancement of legacy systems, and outcomes for users and stakeholders.

Defra is responsible for policy and delivery areas including environmental protection, water regulation, flood risk management, biosecurity, and wildlife conservation.

Project Highlights:

• Customer: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Contract Value: Up to £150 million
• Contract Term: Four years, with an optional one-year extension
• Scope: Application development and managed services across digital systems

The contract continues the working relationship between Kainos and Defra in delivering digital transformation services across public sector systems related to environmental and public service functions.