Rio 2016 launches Procurement Portal in order to meet Games demands
Initiative allows businesses of any size to plan ahead and qualify in order to participate in bids
Fernando Cotrim, Rio 2016 Procurement Director, presents the new tool (Alex Ferro)
On Wednesday, the 7th, the Rio 2016 Organising Committee launched its Procurement Portal, a tool for interaction with the market, which will allow businesses of any size to access the purchase schedule, plan ahead and qualify in order to meet the Olympic and Paralympic Games demands.
“Our idea of hosting Olympic and Paralympic Games for Brazil as a whole goes further; we are now opening the Games for Brazilian companies. Today we just take the first step. When we plan all our purchases, we think about the life cycle of each product and that means what the product will contribute to the Games, how long the product lasts and what will be its use after 2016”, Fernando Cotrim, Rio 2016 Procurement Director, explained.
The new portal promotes competitiveness through the advance announcement of categories as well as the forecast of the quantities of goods and services that will need to be purchased until 2016. Around 30 million items will be used before, during and after the competitions. The tool will leave a legacy for Brazilian industry.
“Our greatest challenge is to change the way the supply chain is managed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to leave a legacy for the Brazilian market. Excellent Games and without excesses. Only the Games celebration should be over the top”, Cotrim joked.
The initiative also gives all businesses the chance of reaching new levels through participation in the Supplier Development Programme that includes projects such as “Sebrae on the Podium”, aimed at qualifying Brazilian micro and small companies, as well as finding credit solutions for business growth in programmes promoted by Bradesco, an official Rio 2016 sponsor.
The Procurement Portal is part of the Organising Committee’s supply chain that is based on five pillars: sustainability, transparency, cost reduction, risk management and operational excellence.
“Sustainability is not an option; it’s one of our obligations. And our goal is to exceed the success of previous Games. As for transparency, the procurement portal is a good example. Advance notification, clear requirements and fair processes are inherent in this matter as well. As for cost reduction, we intend to create ingenious and innovative alternatives as we have four years of planning and one of implementation”, Cotrim informed.
