Rivus has resecured the deal to provide fleet servicing, inspection, maintenance and repair for the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

The multi-million-pound contract covers around 1,500 commercial vehicles

The multi-million-pound contract with Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) covers approximately 1,500 commercial vehicles used by the Environment Agency (EA), Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) and Natural England.

Awarded following a competitive tender process, the agreement runs for three years, with the option to extend until 2029, and builds on the organisations’ existing partnership.

Rivus was initially contracted by DGFS in 2016 to manage the combined contract for plant assets and commercial vehicles. In early 2022, DGFS underwent a lengthy and competitive procurement exercise to re-tender into two separate contracts, splitting out plant and commercial vehicles.

Rivus secured the latest deal after demonstrating its nationwide servicing capability and data-driven tools that help reduce vehicle off-road times and keep critical vehicles moving. Its proposal also supported Defra’s wider digitalisation and net zero fleet ambitions.

The Rivus network of 78 independently owned garages capable of servicing complex LCV and HGV fleets, its EV ready technicians and Rivus Mobile servicing were also key in resecuring the Defra contract.

The Rivus Insights and Rivus Vehicle Check App (VCA) will also help deliver fleet operational efficiencies while cutting downtime for Defra. Rivus is recognised as an Approved IT Supplier for Earned Recognition by the DVSA and the VCA app will help Defra achieve its goal of Earned Recognition status for its HGV fleet.

Lara Bailey, strategic relationship manager at Rivus, said: “We are so excited to have resecured the new commercial fleet contract with Defra. With such a varied and largely rural-based fleet, including HGVs and LCVs across all manufacturers, we’re proud to offer a nationwide garage network as well as Rivus Mobile, where we can carry out SMR and MOTs on-site.

“The Vehicle Check App, initially for HGVs, enables streamlining of servicing, advanced notice of defects and means that the workshop can plan part ordering and allocate correct time for servicing. This significantly reduces vehicle off road time, as well as ensures HGV fleet operators are completing their legally required vehicle safety checks.”

Rivus was also selected for its ability to support Defra in meeting the Government’s Fleet Commitment target for all vehicles under 3.5-tonnes to be zero emitting (at tailpipe) by December 2027.

Bailey continued: “Rivus is in a prime position to support this transition with our Electric Vehicle as A Service offering and Alternative Fuel strategy, all of which help us provide unbiased, data-driven consultancy to our customers.”