SMEs can play the Olympics contracts dating game

The London 2012 Business Network has been developed for small firms that have not pre-qualified as a supplier, as have the larger firms seeking main contract work.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee (LOCOG) expect an estimated 75,000 future business opportunities covering direct contractors and their supply chains.

Business Network, a so-called “business dating agency”, has three component parts:

- essential information on upcoming opportunities and how to supply London 2012;

- business events;

- CompeteFor service, a business ‘dating agency’ that will match companies to thousands of opportunities supplying London 2012 contractors.

SMEs already make up more then two-thirds of the 500 contractors that have won Olympic contracts. Up to a fifth of London 2012 supply chain opportunities are expected to go through the CompeteFor system.

Both the CBI and the Federation of Small Businesses have endorsed the Business Network. FSB Co-ordinator for the London Games Nick Winch urged SMEs to make it a priority to register for CompeteFor: “Not only will it provide them with access to contracts but registering on CompeteFor will give SMEs a quick 'MOT' and through access to business support a helping hand on the way to greater business success.'

ODA and LOCOG will advertise their direct contract opportunities online through CompeteFor and direct London 2012 contractors appointed will be encouraged to advertise their supply chain opportunities through the system. For example, the Olympic stadium construction contractor Team Stadium has opened the service with an advert for their site accommodation cleaning contract.

After registering basic company information, interested business can view the opportunities advertised. Companies can then complete a business profile, which involves answering a series of simple questions, to be able to compete for opportunities.

A company’s business profile is automatically tested against a small number of minimum standards in areas such as health and safety. If these requirements are not met the company is automatically referred to tailored business support to help improve their performance. This service is provided by Business Link in England and the support services in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Once a company’s profile is successfully published on CompeteFor, they are automatically matched to opportunities which suit their business and invited, by e-mail, to apply for them by filling out a short, tailored application form. The buyer advertising the contract then selects a shortlist of companies and invites them to formally tender through the buyer’s own procurement system.

Details of the winning bids are published on CompeteFor and unsuccessful bidders receive feedback from the buyer. Throughout the process local business support agencies are on hand to help companies maximise their chances of success.

More information is available on: www.london2012.com/business.