Financial Audit and Assurance Services Contract Extension and Increase

This is a contract modification that extends and increases the value of existing Financial Audit and Assurance Services contracts awarded under procurement reference GEN_20_22. The contract value is being increased by £9.6 million to ensure continuity of audit and assurance services for bodies delivering Defra's environmental agenda. These bodies require specialized audit support, particularly for significant property, plant and equipment (PPE) and land and buildings valuations. The modification maintains the existing contract terms, scope, and objectives while extending the arrangements. This change is necessary to support the National Audit Office in meeting its statutory audit responsibilities and to avoid the significant costs, disruption, and quality risks that would result from changing contractors mid-contract. The increase remains below 50% of the original contract value.