The scale of the work is revealed by Howard Shiplee as business opportunity forum is launched

The Olympic Delivery Authority is to let up to 15,000 construction contracts during the building of the Olympic Park, according to construction director Howard Shiplee.
Olympic veledrome

Speaking at a Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform select committee hearing into the construction industry, Shiplee gave the clearest indication yet of the scale of work available for the industry to bid for.

Shiplee said: 鈥淲e鈥檒l have over 500 primary contracts, but when you go down the supply chain there will be over 15,000 contracts, every one of which will be important to us.鈥�

The ODA construction director signalled his commitment to operating without contractual retentions, saying that the Authority would take a 鈥渄im and proactive view鈥� if this was not reflected down the supply chain.

However, Shiplee said the ODA would not be able to reinvent the construction process in the way BAA has attempted to do with its T5 Agreement.

He said: 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have the time or the luxury to go back to school. We have to build on our experiences and learn quickly from best practice as we go along.鈥�

Shipley鈥檚 comments came as the ODA launched a business 鈥榙ating agency鈥� to help companies compete for work to prepare for the 2012 Games.

The London 2012 Business Network is a free online service which matches businesses with appropriate opportunities

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