What is the story about?
What's Happening?
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is inviting bids for a £300 million contract to provide IT hosting services. The contract will cover a range of services, including datacentre management, cloud hosting, and infrastructure as a service. The chosen supplier will support Defra's internal infrastructure and deliver external cloud environments. The contract is expected to be awarded in August 2026, with an initial five-year term and potential extensions.
Why It's Important?
This significant investment by Defra highlights the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure within government agencies. By upgrading its IT services, Defra aims to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery across its agencies. The contract will also support the department's digital transformation efforts, ensuring it can meet future technological demands. This move could influence other government departments to invest in similar IT infrastructure improvements.
What's Next?
Interested tech suppliers have until September 4 to submit bids. Defra will then shortlist companies to submit full tenders, with the contract expected to be awarded by August 2026. The successful bidder will play a crucial role in supporting Defra's digital services, impacting thousands of employees and various agencies. The outcome of this procurement process could set a benchmark for future government IT contracts.
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