Olympic construction – Olympic contractor - CompeteFor
The 2012 Olympics will be the biggest ever peace time event that the UK has seen. From 27 July to 12 August the main games will be staged followed by the Paralympic Games from 29 August to 12 September. There will be 26 different sports taking place in 34 venues, with 10,500 athletes taking part in the main games and a further 4,220 in the Paralympics. More than 9 million tickets will be sold to spectators and an estimated 20,000 people will be present from the press and media.
An event of this enormity happens only once in the lifetime of most businesses so it makes sense for everyone to climb aboard and make the most of the opportunities it brings. This is especially true for the construction industry. Many projects are construction based, providing work not only for the main contractor but also for businesses further down the supply chain. At a time when recession is biting into the industry’s business pipeline the Olympics could be the flame that keeps a raft of construction companies alive!
The scale of the opportunities is vast. It is estimated that approximately 7,000 direct contracts will be awarded to businesses, with a ripple effect creating a further 75,000 opportunities. These contracts will come via two organisations:
- The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), which is a privately funded body responsible for staging the Games, and
- The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) – a government funded organisation responsible for the construction of the venues and infrastructure, which is subject to EU procurement rules.
Following the Games, the London Development Agency will be responsible for re-designing and adapting the facilities within the Olympic Park, providing yet more opportunities for the construction sector. 
The LOCOG and ODA lists all available contracts on the website, CompeteFor. Companies interesting in tendering for contracts need to register to be informed of opportunities. Providing a brokerage service, CompeteFor gives businesses throughout the UK access to the array of work that 2012 offers. This facility has been created on behalf of the Regional Development Agencies across the country and the London Development Agency, which is taking a lead in staging the Games. The Supplier Activity Centre on the site allows businesses to search for contracts that fall within their area of specialism and gives details on how to respond, as well as search for suitable partners where necessary. There is also a Buyer Activity Centre where opportunities can be posted.
David Higgins, the Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has pledged that the procurement process will be “open, transparent and fair” and that the ODA will “…help businesses, particularly small and medium sized companies, identify and compete for opportunities supplying our contractors.”
The ODA divides its requirements into three categories: “Works”, “Goods” and “Services”. “Works” includes building and construction and “Goods” includes suppliers to the construction industry. Companies interesting in competing for opportunities need to register; once accepted they will have access to bids and will be alerted of invitations to tender. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet certain criteria covering financial stability, technical competence, health and safety, equal opportunities, sustainability, and issues relating to care of customers and workers. Those awarded large contracts will be known as Tier One Contractors and these will be encouraged to adopt similar practices as they engage suppliers and contractors.
Danny McGowan, Contracts Manager from Phelan Construction, a leading Essex based company, describes the process: “Registering interest is straightforward and much of the stipulated criteria will be familiar to reputable companies within the construction sector. Those who have already gone through a supplier approval to carry out Government contracts might find they can shortcut the approval process, but even where this doesn’t apply it is worth investing time in getting your firm’s name on the shortlist. At Phelans we have already won contracts related to 2012, providing valuable work for our company as well as employment for local people.”
In fact, Phelans was awarded the very first relocation contract associated with 2012. The project, delivered in association with the ODA, was to build a new salmon smokery on a brownfield site in Bow – the relocation was due to the former site being required for new Olympic facilities. The factory covers 50,000 sq ft and incorporates specialist smoking kilns. Significant hygiene requirements had to be provided in the fish processing and production areas, and the new build was to include offices, a restaurant and a visitor centre. Bounded by the River Lea Navigation and with existing buildings on either side, the site was a challenging one in terms of logistics. Despite these difficulties, Phelan Construction was able to complete the project meeting all required milestones and deliverables.
The ODA has a great responsibility resting on its shoulders. It has to bring in projects on time and on budget whilst deploying best practice. It needs suppliers that can offer commitment, demonstrate excellence through past projects and adhere to its policies on sustainability. With just over three years to go before the Games opens there is no time to loose. Phelans Construction is one of the companies that has incorporated 2012 into its business plan. Could your company do the same?
Phelan construction is a registered on the CompeteFor website that allows contractors to compete for London Olympic 2012 contracts.
CompeteFor has been developed on behalf of the English Regional Development Agencies and UK Devolved Administrations by the London Development Agency, working closely with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
Source;
https://www.competefor.com/london2012business/nru/home.html
