National Physical Laboratory contract extension

Serco has signed an extension to its existing contract to manage the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) on behalf of the UK's Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) for a period of up to 12 months from 1 April 2014.

Last year, the Government announced its intention to look at alternative structures for the operation, investment and ownership of the Laboratory based in Teddington, southwest London. This extension, made under the existing Government Owned, Contractor Operated (GOCO) model, will aid the transition to a new arrangement with one of four UK universities shortlisted.

Serco is extremely proud of its record at NPL and its contribution to its development since it was first awarded the contract in 1995.  Over the last 19 years, Serco has transformed the running of the Laboratory and NPL has flourished both scientifically and commercially as a result.  There have been many internationally significant scientific highlights over the period.  For example, the work associated with low carbon technologies and climate change alone will deliver an economic benefit of £500m to UK GDP with the potential to save eight million tonnes of CO2 - equivalent to 2% of the UK annual footprint.

Ian Downie, Serco's Strategic Partnerships, said: "While we were obviously disappointed by the Government's decision to seek a new model for the future of NPL, we are pleased to be extending our partnership in the short term.  Over the coming months, Serco will work closely with BIS, the National Measurement Office (NMO) and their new partner to ensure NPL continues to deliver world-class science output and is ready to seamlessly transfer into a new organisation." 

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