2012 ...be involved

Worldwide situations can change dramatically in six years, but there are no current indications that the terrorist threat is likely to lessen. Given the fact that the Olympic Games have been targeted in the past – remember Atlanta in 1996 and Munich in 1972? – and in the wake of the London bombings, security has to be examined more thoroughly than ever before.

The challenges are as huge as the area that needs to be secured – the stadia, the infrastructure, the transport systems, accommodation for competitors and visitors alike and the security vetting of thousands of volunteers. Chairman of the Organising Committee, Lord Coe, has stated: “Security underpins everything we do.”

Lessons have been learned from security operations in Athens in 2004, when a host of security providers rose to the immense challenges before them and proved that technology integrated with guarding services can deliver a secure Games. All UK security eyes will be closely focused on the Games in Beijing in 2008.

The legacy of Athens is a massive integrated electronic security network where little existed before. In contrast to pre-2004 Athens, however, London already has a mature surveillance infrastructure. Having been a target of the Provisional IRA for decades, the Capital had a head start on most other cities and is now estimated to have 500,000 CCTV cameras installed (more per head of population, in fact, than any other city in the world). By 2012, it’s likely that many existing systems would be due for upgrading. Cost is not likely to be the biggest issue.

In its procurement document, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) states that it “will include, wherever appropriate, lessons that have been learned from earlier Olympic Games”.

Before London won the bid, Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced that the cost of the massive security deployment plan would be a cool £224 million, with the total sum needed to secure venues alone estimated at £24 million. He also suggested that all other security would be funded to the tune of £200 million, a figure contained within the overall £2.3 billion funding package.

However, these figures were announced prior to the 7/7 bombings. Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has subsequently commented that costs could rise in their wake. “The Games will be policed and security operated at a level consistent with the level of risk at the time.”

‘Feelgood factor’ for the UK

Lord Coe feels that London has the “skill, vibrancy and history to stage a great Games” and, over the 16 days of the event, no less than 11,000 athletes will compete in 300 events. The Games will bring a “feelgood factor” to the UK, in addition to economic growth for the regeneration areas, an increase in tourism (before, during and after the Games) and help create thousands of jobs.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the Paralympic Games is responsible for the preparation and staging. Led by Lord Coe, its vision is to stage an Olympic Games “that captures the imagination of young people around the world”.

Delivering the Games will be a massive undertaking, requiring goods and services from an enormous range of firms. The organisation is “relatively small” at the moment but, by the time of the opening ceremony, around 100,000 people will be working on the Games (including 3,000 staff, 70,000 volunteers and many contractors).

Transforming London’s East End

The 500 acres around Stratford in the East End of London, classed as one of the most deprived areas in the UK, will be transformed into the futuristic Olympic Park. The Park will include an 80,000-seater stadium, the Athletes’ Village and other sporting venues.

The Olympic Park will “contribute to the regeneration of an entire community for the direct benefit of everyone who lives there,” says The Olympic Movement (the umbrella group which includes the National and International Olympic Committees). It will “become a hub for East London, bringing communities together and acting as a catalyst for profound social and economic change... opening up opportunities for education, skills development and jobs.”

Technology changes: electronics

To what extent will the electronic solutions sector be involved? With their previous engagement in the Olympic Games, companies like Siemens, Tyco and Panasonic have already proven their abilities to look at the bigger picture. However, there will also be a myriad of opportunities for small-to-medium-sized companies.

The specifics of the security systems and their integration with the guarding forces will be decided in time, but a big factor is technological change. In the electronics sector, systems are now being routinely installed that were only theoretical six years ago. With the relentless quickening of technological development, electronic security and surveillance systems are likely to be very different in 2012. The fast-developing biometrics sector is certain to be commonplace in access control by then, and it’s anyone’s guess as to how far ‘intelligent video’ software will have developed.

The only certainty is that the security systems for the London Olympics will have to be among the most advanced in the world at that time and, like the sporting facilities, will be required to be used for years after the Games have ended.

Risk assessment considerations

An indication of the breadth of thinking required for these immense security tasks can be gained by looking back at the systems installed for not just Athens but also the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. The risk assessment will have to consider any disorder or disruption of events, from potential terrorism through to crowd trouble. As in Athens, it will take in the transport infrastructure, roads, overland railways and the London Underground, the River Thames, the city itself, the stadia, the Olympic Park and the accommodation.

Although the area to be considered is vast, around 50% of the competitors will live only minutes from their venues, and will never have to leave the security of the Olympic Park. Another 30% will be only 20 minutes from their venues, states the Olympic Movement.

How can you be involved?

How might security companies – large and small – and security professionals in general become involved with the Games?

Contracts for London 2012 will be awarded by both the ODA and LOCOG in the following manner...

The ODA will administer most contracts for the infrastructure, transport and construction of the Olympic Park. Although the ODA will remain the contracting authority, the recently-appointed delivery partner – CLM – will undertake the majority of procurements associated with the construction programme.

The LOCOG will let most services to stage the event itself, and its procurement is likely to cover goods and services such as event security, sports equipment, catering and uniforms, etc.

There have been calls across the UK for small-to-medium-sized businesses to become involved, and Business Clubs have been encouraging regional businesses to remain aware of the opportunities which, for SMEs, are likely to come from the supply chains that will surround major procurement contracts.

The first step for security companies who want to become involved would be to register on two essential websites. Tender opportunities for both the ODA and LOCOG will be announced on the official website www.london2012.com/ business Businesses are strongly advised to register on this site to receive e-mail alerts about tender opportunities and developments.

What if you are a security SME?

The ODA’s Procurement Policy in its consultation document sets out the framework that will ultimately guide the procurement process.

The ODA will consult with professional trade associations and federations on the major design, construction, supply and commissioning contracts. Contract opportunities will be advertised both on the website and in the trade press. The Authority will also use a new Government-backed service designed specifically to give companies easy access to ‘low-value’ contract opportunities (typically those worth under £100,000).

Security SMEs should register on www.supply2.gov.uk This portal will announce news of low value contracts and bring “buyers and suppliers together for the first time”. It also offers companies guidance on how to go about public sector procurement.

The selection process for companies will include a robust financial appraisal to determine their economic standing and financial regularity. There is encouragement for smaller security companies... The ODA says small-to-medium-sized firms will not be at a disadvantage – the minimum economic standing will depend upon the scale of the contract and the risk involved. The ODA will also work with the Greater London Authority, Government and groups such as regional business clubs to make sure information about forthcoming contracts and sub-contracts is available through a single portal, and will encourage its main contractors to use the same approach to procure sub-contractors.

In addition, it will encourage competition by actively promoting tendering opportunities – even down to the local level. An official statement from the ODA reads: “Small and medium-sized-enterprises and minority-owned businesses operated by minorities and women (for example black and minority ethnic groups and disabled people, etc) are particularly important in developing the ‘Olympic Promise’ – locally, regionally and nationally. The ODA will ensure it does not exclude such small companies from accessing ODA contracts.”

For those outside of London...

Regional development agencies in the UK have been setting up Business Clubs so that regional companies can gain access to the opportunities presented by the Games.

The idea was borrowed after it worked successfully at Sydney 2000 and for the Manchester Commonwealth Games. The Clubs are offering advice on subjects such as which contracts businesses could consider bidding for, how to go about bidding, the worth and extent of Olympics 2012 work and what effect the work could have on your business.

At one recent meeting attended by 300 regional business delegates in the West Midlands, Tessa Jowell suggested that there are “tremendous opportunities for all parts of the country to benefit... We are working hard to spread the economic dividend.” Chair of the ODA, Jack Lemley, added: “The overwhelming majority of opportunities are to come, but you do need to make sure your company is fully prepared to take advantage of them in the years ahead.”

The clear message for security companies is that there will be huge competition for the work, in particular when you consider the kudos to be gained from such a high profile event. The encouraging news for smaller companies is that the procurement process will not exclude them from becoming involved in what could prove to be the biggest challenge ever for ‘Security UK’.