Businesses

The London 2012 Olympic Games offers a unique opportunity for Southampton businesses to apply for and gain contracts to supply both the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). Large and small businesses from all sectors will be needed to deliver the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and its associated legacy. It is a fantastic opportunity for businesses in Southampton to find new trading partners, enter new markets, compete for contracts and improve capacity to access wider public procurement contracts in the future.

To be in with a chance of bidding for a contract and the best place to find contracts
and opportunities relating to the London 2012 Games is on ‘Compete For’ - the official contract brokerage service. Registration is free, and with around £250 million worth of big and small contracts to be won across all sectors, businesses in Southampton should consider the opportunities that Compete For offers. www.london2012.com/business

No business is too small to compete!

What Compete For offers:

• Once you have registered your company, compete For will automatically send you an update on any relevant contracts as soon as they come out. You can tailor your profile to be sent updates on as narrow or wide a range of opportunities as you like.

• As well as seeing contracts yet to be won you can also see what the contracts have already been tendered, and when. This is an excellent opportunity to identify companies who might be able to include you as part of their supply chain. It can also give you an idea of what sort contracts are posted and what contracts have yet to go to tender.

Opportunities for all
There is a far wider range of contracts being offered then most people realize. As expected, there are many contracts in areas such as tiling, plumbing, and landscaping and sports equipment. But there will also be contracts around security solutions, alcoholic drink provision, window cleaning and dental equipment. For a complete breakdown of contracts you will need to sign up to the Compete For website.

Compete For puts an emphasis on bringing opportunities to smaller companies. Nearly a quarter of all contracts awarded for the London 2012 Games are won by businesses with less than ten employees. With contracts ranging from £2,000 to £2 million there are opportunities for all.

Tourism
Tourism2012Games.org is a great online resource for anyone who works in hospitality, leisure or tourism and wants to get involved with the 2012 Games. The site – co-published by Visit Britain and London 2012 – contains useful information about visitors likely to come to the Games and how to reach them. It also has essential guidelines for businesses who are hoping to promote themselves to these visitors

Links
Business Southampton - www.businesssouthampton.com
Chamber of Commerce - www.soton-chamber.co.uk
SEEDA - www.seeda.co.uk
Business Link - www.businesslink.gov.uk