The Hub for Media, Creative Professionals and Artists in Tunbridge Wells.
Olympic tendering
Has anyone had a go at this yet?
I registered but then got lost in the mire of form filling.
I registered but then got lost in the mire of form filling.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Harvey on -
I've been advised to register at www.competefor.com
The process is painful and open to fits of anger and pique at the heavy PC detail.
I don't expect anything will come of it, but at least I've registered - Bob
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Permalink Reply by Silvia Ortiz Nin on -
I have registered too. The registering system is incredibly rigid and doesn't make any allowances for businesses that are a bit different. For example, as a freelancer working from home (and I will never, ever, see a client here), obviously I don't have a Health & Safety policy, but the process requires that I have one. There are also a number of requirements that only apply to businesses that employ people - I don't, but there is no allowance for that either.
I still managed to complete the registration process and I receive daily alerts, but none remotely relevant to what I do. I am pretty sure this was all a waste of time for me, but at least I tried.
Silvia
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Permalink Reply by Jez Timms on -
Good point Silvia - I too have signed up to other government portals and every day I get email alerts with nothing at all relevant. Obviously they never have any design requirements be they graphic or web related!
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Permalink Reply by Bob Harvey on
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I had great fun with the diversity questions - I do feel we have to play the game. When they asked about the sexuality of my employees (I'm a sole trader) I ticked "prefer not to answer." Never been quite sure, actually, and what my sexual preferences have to do with Olympic tendering. Anyway, like those Russian hammer-throwers... I've left them guessing. Bob Harvey (Grandfather of 9) ...oops! s'pose that gives it away....!
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Permalink Reply by Frank O'Brien on -
Hi All,
I have just joined and please to meet you all.
I have taken this a bit further forward and fully registered, wrote my Quality Management, Health & Safety and Environment Policy Statements so I got cleared through the whole process.
I then attended a workshop of how to complete the procurement process / writing procurement documents for compete for and local government.
At this meeting I sat open mouthed discovering that you can go through the whole process properly, investing many hours, days to ensure all the right boxes are ticked and in effect complete the document 100% correct and yet you will still not be put forward because "A certain client might prefer T&C written as opposed to terms and conditions, this will get you removed from the process." Yes, that is what was said and the same with if you use the wrong structure of grammar within a sentence.
Sounds fantastical doesn't it?
There was no word on whether you are a good agency, highly creative, great track record etc. and we were told "well, you have to understand they may have 120 companies applying for this work, they need some form of process to get the amount down."
To be honest, I went in positive and came out shaking my head. There is no opportunity there for SME's no matter what our beloved Gvmnt have smoke and mirrored up. You would need a large agency with a full department working on procurement alone to stand any chance, but even then... make sure your lucky and your grammar is second to none.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and all that, but believe me, it is all a lot of PC fluff.
My name is Frank O'Brien and this has been my rant.
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Permalink Reply by Jez Timms on
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Ah Frank - that sounds soul destroying indeed. Sorry to hear about that nightmare... On a positive note, nice to meet you and welcome to the Hub :)
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Permalink Reply by Frank O'Brien on
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Thanks Jez. Believe me, I am not a negative soul, but that is not a good direction to head. My inside view is that you link on to the sites, but then look at who has won the projects and target them directly as they possibly will need graphic support... so every cloud and all that!
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Fleming on -
Since I posted this I have been to a CompeteFor workshop and tried to tender for a few things but just when you think you're getting somewhere they seem to put out a few more fences to clear.
It's a shame but I'm sure there will be opportunities for SMEs - just not direct ones through the official channels.
Don't let them grind you down.
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Permalink Reply by Frank O'Brien on
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Oh, never would Stephen, just thought it would be useful for you guys to know what to expect. I don't know if you can read what I replied to Jez, so listed it below for you. Cheers, Frank
"My inside view is that you link on to the sites, but then look at who has won the projects and target them directly as they possibly will need graphic support... so every cloud and all that!"
© 2012 Created by Jez Timms.
