LDA wins award for 2012 business service

The London Development Agency (LDA) has won the Government Opportunity Magazine Collaborative Procurement Award for developing the 'CompeteFor' service - a groundbreaking online resource that allows companies to compete for business opportunities linked to the 2012 Games.

CompeteFor matches businesses of all sizes to thousands of opportunities to supply London 2012 contractors. An estimated 75,000 future business opportunities - around £6 billion of work - is expected to be allocated by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee (LOCOG).

The service, which was developed on behalf of the nation's regional development agencies, will also match companies with local Business Link support services, helping to boost the long-term competitiveness of businesses across the UK.

Around 6200 London companies have registered since its launch in January. Out of those 87% are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The LDA delivers the service in London in partnership with the London Business Network and the ODA.

Geoff Newton, Director of Olympic Opportunities at the LDA, said: "Innovative projects such as CompeteFor are crucial in spreading the benefits of the 2012 Games as wide as possible and we are delighted that over 18,500 companies have already signed up nationally."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:"London's small businesses deserve an environment where they can realise their full potential and where it is more rewarding to do business. CompeteFor is doing just that and with almost 90 per cent of those registered being small or medium-sized, I urge other SMEs to sign up if they haven't already. This is exactly the style of procurement that my team and I are committed in developing to make it easier for small businesses to work with the GLA group and stakeholders, now, for the 2012 Games, and beyond."

London Business Network also helped the LDA to develop the service with support from leading consultants Hedra and managed service provider Serco plc.

Ian Barlow, Chairman of London Business Network, said:"The service will particularly help small and medium sized businesses gain access to a wide range of contracts by opening up the Olympic supply chain."

"Winning this award illustrates how we have worked closely with the LDA to create a tool which will benefit businesses long after the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Games."

More information about the CompeteFor service

How CompeteFor works

ODA and LOCOG are advertising 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 all contractors that have been awarded ODA infrastructure or venue contracts are registered as buyers on CompeteFor and one is currently advertising for a supplier to tar over 300 metre square of sheet metal piles.
 
Companies at every level of the London 2012 supply chain will be encouraged to advertise their supplier opportunities through CompeteFor.

After registering basic company information any 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 assessed 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 email, 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 bidder(s) 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.

Ends

For media enquiries, please contact Andreas Christophorou at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8444. andreaschristophorou@lda.gov.uk.com. For public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000. 
 

Notes to Editors:

1. The London Development Agency works to improve quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.
2. For more information about the wards can be found on the GO awards website
3. For full details on how the system works can be found on the CompeteFor website
4. CompeteFor has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, which includes the English RDA's, Devolved Administrations, the ODA and LOCOG to deliver a common vision: 'To ensure the transparency and availability of London 2012 opportunities maximising the number and diversity of businesses contributing to the London 2012 programme, and create a legacy of increased capacity and expertise'.