Interserve, the services, maintenance and building group, has been awarded the Sustainable Built Environment Workplace Support (SBEWS) contract by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The 15-year contract has a core services value of approximately £500 million, although it is expected that the full value of services delivered, including projects and additional works, will significantly exceed this.

The contract covers 186 sites throughout England and Wales and involves three Category 4 laboratories, 39 Category 3 laboratories, 226 other laboratories and 162 offices.

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The SBEWS programme is more than a conventional facilities management (FM) contract. Its cornerstone is that Interserve will operate as a long-term strategic partner for Defra, sharing the Department's goals. SBEWS encompasses a broad range of 'normal' FM services such as buildings maintenance and waste management as well more strategic services such as energy procurement and management, professional and project services and fleet management. Interserve will also analyse and present options to Defra in several other areas - for example, telecommunications, transport, travel and accommodation, and a detailed assessment of building layouts and occupancy. Staff that currently provide FM services to Defra will transfer to Interserve.

"Defra's vision required a fresh approach to service delivery," explained Adrian Ringrose, Interserve's Chief Executive. "Our response is a total accommodation service model that encompasses sustainability, exemplar FM service, asset management and space and workplace management. We have selected, combined and developed the best practices from across PFI, PPP and traditional FM contracting into a unique, responsive and innovative service model."

(CD/JM)