WIREDGOV

* Transport agencies to save more than £9m over contract lifetime
* Four year contract with services, maintenance and building group
* Improved services for over 400 properties across Great Britain

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has signed a four year total facilities management contract with Interserve, the services, maintenance and building group.

The contract, worth around £12 million over its lifetime, has been signed as part of a collaborative procurement process by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), for agencies across the Department for Transport (DfT) including DSA and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

Interserve will provide services across the DSA estate, which covers 439 properties across Great Britain, including DSA's headquarters in Nottingham, its training and development centre in Bedfordshire, its administrative centre in Newcastle and 418 driving test centres.

The contract will also cover VOSA's headquarters and training centre in Bristol and potentially extend to cover other parts of the Department.

Rosemary Thew, DSA chief executive, said:

"Delivering value for money is of paramount importance to DSA and its partner agencies across DfT. Interserve have shown an innovative approach to delivering more efficient, cost-effective services in this current economic climate which will further increase our savings. We are looking forward to working in partnership with them and our colleagues in VOSA to achieve these benefits."

By buying services through one provider, DfT agencies will reduce costs by over 40 per cent and improve services standards across their estate. Interserve will provide services including maintenance, utilities and waste management, cleaning and security, and helpdesk, reception and switchboard.

* For further information contact DSA press office: 0115 936 6135 / Pressoffice@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

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Notes to editors 1. DSA promotes road safety through setting standards for drivers, riders and trainers, testing drivers and riders fairly and efficiently, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors; Large Goods Vehicle Instructors; Fleet Trainers; Driving Instructor Trainers and Post Test Motorcycle Trainers; supervising Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists; and driver education and the provision of learning resources.

2. DSA is a trading fund with planned income of £195 million in 2011/12, largely funded through fees and revenue from other road safety initiatives. It delivers tests from over 400 practical driving test centres and 158 theory test locations.

3. DSA employs around 2,600 staff, of which just over 1,800 are driving examiners. In 2010/11 DSA conducted around 1.8 million practical tests (of which 1.6 million were car tests) and around 1.6 million theory tests. At the end of 2010/2011 there were around 47,000 people on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.

Contacts:

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk