Partner Article

Top tips on winning Olympic work

Last week we brought you the news that there is still £700m worth of contracts yet to be awarded for involvement in the London 2012 Olympics. Here we give you the lowdown on how to get your share of the action.

While the athletes endure the blood, sweat and tears that goes with the preparation for the performance of their lives, the Olympic organisers have a multitude of other factors to worry about before the summer of 2012.

There are stadiums to build and fill, accommodation for 15,000 athletes to be provided, 70,000 volunteers to be enlisted and over £1bn to be invested in UK businesses.

Organising body LOCOG is charged with sharing the myriad of contracts - which span the service, media, retail, construction, technology, hospitality and leisure sectors – across the country.

As it stands there is still a £700m pot of capital waiting to be invested in British partners who can play their part in making the greatest show on earth a reality.

And, as LOCOG spokesperson Lawrie Neville told the North East last week, now is the optimum time to put your bid in for Olympic gold.

“The majority of our procurement activity will be done this year and next. Now is the time to be putting yourself forward. There will be opportunities for regional business to stamp their flavour on the Games,” he said.

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Here are some top tips on getting your hands on Olympic gold before 2012:

The London Olympic tendering service is available at www.competefor.com. It is also advisable to sign up for news alerts from the site to get ahead of your competitors.

When you place your bid, remember that, as well as expecting quality service and prompt delivery from its partners, LOCOG is also keen to work with companies that can show they embrace diversity and inclusion and sustainability.

The key remaining areas in which LOCOG is actively seeking partners are: Sports equipment, technology, facilities management and catering, security, a range of services including PR, transport and entertainment.

One of its most pressing contracts is for a venue in the North East to host a recruitment week in January 2011 for some of the 70,000 volunteers needed at the event.

Since there are 1.1 million pieces of equipment needed of the games, there may be an opportunity for retailers or manufacturers in the North East – LOCOG even needs a supply of horses for some of the equine events.

While much of the technology contracts are covered by the major Olympic sponsors, this is an area where there will be a large number of sub-contracted opportunities available.

Transport for athletes, equipment and spectators is still in high demand despite a huge response from companies all over the UK.

In terms of infrastructure, there is still high demand for fencing, roofing, seating, office furniture, portable buildings and barriers.

Some of the larger contracts may go to the event’s major sponsors, however many of these firms will be looking for smaller partners to outsource to. If your bid direct to LOCOG is rejected consider pitching to the headline sponsors.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .