North East Herts MP Oliver Heald has today welcomed the announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has awarded a new seven year contract to the Post Office to provide DVLA’s services from their post office network.
DVLA-related services at the Post Office will expand to include services currently only offered through DVLA local offices. There is also scope for the provision of other Government services through the post office network.
Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin said, ‘I congratulate the Post Office and am confident they will deliver an excellent service to motorists throughout the country.
‘This contract also provides value for money for the taxpayer, resulting in savings of between £13 million and £15 million a year and demonstrates how serious we are about making savings within Government.’
Commenting, Oliver Heald said, ‘Today’s announcement is great news. Local post offices sit at the heart of community life, and this decision will make life easier for everyone who drives in North East Hertfordshire.’
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Contact Oliver Heald 01763 247640
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Notes to Editors
The contract will result in savings of up to £15 million a year. Worth in the region of £450 million the contract will result in savings of between £13 million and £15 million a year (DVLA Press Release, 13 November 2012).
DVLA services will be offered at over 4,700 outlets and will include new licensing transactions. Under the contract, the Post Office will initially offer DVLA services at over 4,700 outlets (as currently) for road tax and vehicle transactions, 750 of which will also cater for driver licensing transactions. Depending on the demand for similar services across Government, the Post Office is likely to offer these services at more of their outlets (DVLA Press Release, 13 November 2012).
The contract includes an option for extension. The seven year contract run from 1 April 2013 until 31 March 2020, with the option of an extension for up to three years (DVLA Press Release, 13 November 2012).
The contract was awarded on the basis of a rigorous and competitive bidding process. Following pan-European advertisement of the contract placed on 17 December 2011 an initial three bidders were narrowed down to two for a process of competitive dialogue that was completed in early October. Preparation of bids by suppliers, evaluation and assurance processes by DVLA have just been completed (DVLA Press Release, 13 November 2012).