Olympic Tendering

With the Olympics 2012 fast approaching tendering for work is becoming increasingly competitive with such a broad range of industries involved all around the country including;

• Construction
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Merchandising
• Retail

If you are an SME business involved in any of the sectors listed above and are still unsure about the whole Tender process, HM Revenue and Customs are running a short webinar on the 27th of August 2011 that aims to clarify the process and prevent confusion for small to medium sized operators. (Note: this can also be downloaded at a later date). The webinar will cover important tendering topics, focusing on finances, policy compliance and how SME can tender for Olympic Contracts. This is one route where small companies can gain insight into the World of Olympic tendering and benefit from the estimated 50,000 contracts, believed to be worth in the region of £6 billion. Listed below is a sample of the construction projects and values that were put out for Tender, and the ones that’s SME should be tendering for.

• Athletes Village: £4 billion
• Stratford City: £4 billion
• Ebbsfleet Valley: £3 billion
• Thames Gateway: £10 billion
• Crossrail: £36 billion

The benefits from hosting an event of this nature do not start with the opening ceremony and end with the closing ceremony. The after effects of the event will be felt long after the ending of the games, with the proposed outcomes generating interest and providing the foundation for future development not just in London but throughout the country. The Olympic Games 2012 provides;

• 5, 000 homes following the conversation of the Olympic village
• Channel Tunnel Shuttle link from Stratford to Kings Cross
• 45% capacity of Jubilee line
• Extensions to the DLR
• £1bn improvement to London East line.
• Creation of thousands of part time jobs within the area

The tender process for the Olympic Games is extremely competitive with the PQQ requirements being very demanding with expected tough international competition. However an SME business that embraces the strict guidelines and adheres to the procurement requirements will be in a much stronger position to compete for future contracts with international sporting or large cultural events.
Key tips

• Prepare now-Do not wait until the contract is issued
• Make sure you have forewarned your referees
• If you are going to collaborate, start early and agree who is doing what
• Plan for the holidays
• Create a plan for the impact the Olympics is going to have on your business if you are successful. Be certain you can deliver if you win.
• Gather all of your documents together in a file and try to become “bid ready”
• Make sure all of your certifications and other company documentation is in date and registered
• Contact www.executivecompass.co.uk for expert help with your PQQ and tender writing  :)

Luke O' Neill