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The 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games will use a mixture of new, existing and temporary venues, with their cleaning, facilities management and waste disposal having a broad requirement across these disparate venues. The centrepiece of the games is in the regenerated Stratford in east London, which will be the site of the Olympic Park.

Over 50,000 contracts will be procured through the London 2012 supply chain and related work. The cleaning budget for the games is expected to be approximately £20 million, in what is the largest peacetime cleaning and catering operation in history.

Tender packages will be bid for, negotiated and awarded throughout 2010, with all contracts anticipated to be awarded before this date. The Games are based in London but will also take place across the UK; to date, almost 50% of all contracts awarded have gone to companies based outside of the capital.

The values guiding the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games' services procurement ethos is the development of the UK economy, by assisting a diverse range of businesses to benefit from London 2012 investment.

At the most basic level, London 2012 requires its suppliers to meet certain requirements such as having a health & safety policy and a suitable quality management system. On the second level it will seek to achieve value for money, through a combination of efficiency, effectiveness and economy throughout the life of a project. Additionally, LOCOG aims to maximise the number and diversity of businesses contributing to the London 2012 programme, assisting as many businesses as possible increase their capacities and levels of expertise.

All contracts are being opened for tendering; this includes current operators in existing venues that will be forced to retender to win service contracts for the games.

The merits of each service provider will be assessed anonymously at the early stages of the bidding process, which is intended to give all bidders better chances to achieve success and create a competitive environment.

Current policy is to offer invitations to negotiate, as opposed to invitations to tender. This is intended to open up opportunities to small and medium businesses, which will be able to demonstrate their credentials at the early stages of the bidding process and perform in a bigger and more challenging environment.

LOCOG will be working in partnership with local administrators to maintain Britain’s travel portals, areas which will form an important part of the visitor experience. These areas will be subject to the retendering process, and the awardees of any contracts in this area will form a partnership with local authorities.

Current policy is against offering large, inclusive facilities management opportunities, due to the risk associated with using single contractors and the desire to allow as many businesses to prosper from the Olympics. However, all bids will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Games will be the first ‘zero-carbon’ Olympics. Locally based organisations with reduced logistical requirements which use resource-efficient technology will in an advantageous position in the bidding process.

Part of 2012’s commitment is to leave zero landfill and achieve 70% recycling across the games. Alongside the service providers, the key partners in this sustainability drive will be London 2012’s main sponsors; Coca Cola, Cadbury’s and McDonalds.

Other sustainable development commitments include a 40 % reduction in portable water use at permanent venues, the use of microfibre cloths instead of detergents wherever possible and the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products when necessary. Bidders who present a strong case outlining their sustainability credentials will be in an advantageous position.

A commitment to positive legacy is a recommended component of any bid. Preference will be given to providers who are committed to furthering careers, creating apprenticeships, reducing unemployment and leaving a positive imprint on their communities and the Olympics venues localities after the Games.

The Games’ commitment to legacy aims for small and medium enterprises to be given the opportunity to grow and advance.

The Olympic Delivery Authority is committed to the advancement of equality practice in the cleaning sector and developing sustainable skills and experience. It will favour bids that demonstrate workers are equipped to pursue long and fulfilling careers in the cleaning & support services industry.

CompeteFor is the portal which allows access to the many opportunities in the London 2012 supply chain. It also intends to forge stronger business links by creating a wide and diverse supplier base, and give businesses access to focused business support to make them ready for opportunities up to and beyond the London 2012 Games

It is recommended that all businesses interested in contributing to the games register immediately if they have not done so already:

www.competefor.com

Ed: Our thanks go to the British Cleaning Council for updating the industry for the above article

T: info@britishcleaningcouncil.org
W: www.britishcleaningcouncil.org