Interserve, the international support services and construction group, has signed a four-year total facilities management contract with the Department for Transport worth around £15 million over its lifetime.

The contract has been procured as part of a collaborative process by the category lead, Driving Standards Agency (DSA), for agencies across the Department for Transport (DfT) including the DSA and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

This contract was signed through the Buying Solutions facilities management services framework, and has the potential to extend further across other DfT agencies and offices.

Interserve will provide services across the DSA estate, which covers 439 properties including its headquarters in Nottingham, its training and development centre in Cardington, its administrative centre in Newcastle and 418 test centres around the country. It will also cover VOSA's Headquarters and Training Centre in Bristol.

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By combining procurement through one provider, the DfT reduces its costs and improves services standards across its estate. Over 300 Interserve staff will be delivering services including planned and reactive maintenance, utilities and waste management, catering and hospitality, cleaning and security, accommodation and room-booking services, helpdesk, reception and switchboard, car park management and driving duties, pest control and grounds maintenance.

Bruce Melizan, Executive Director at Interserve commented: "Signing this prestigious contract with the Department for Transport is an excellent opportunity for Interserve. The DfT is going through a period of change, and this project has helped it realise the benefits of effectively procuring support services in a collaborative manner.

"Interserve has taken an intelligent approach to delivering services across the DfT's diverse estate and, in this current economic climate, the cost-effectiveness of this integrated solution is paramount. This is just the first step in the Department's longer-term rationalisation plan and we are looking forward to working in partnership and supporting it to achieve these benefits."

(CD/GK)