Contractors have just two months to pre-qualify for 拢6bn of projects for the 2008 Beijing games.
China has invited contractors to bid for seven schemes linked to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, which will cost a total of 拢6bn.

The projects will include a national stadium, swimming centre, convention centre, indoor stadium and Olympic Village.

The announcement was made last week by the client, Beijing Organising Committee for the Games.

The initial schemes, drawn from 154 Olympic-related projects, will be procured under the build, own, operate and transfer model used at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

A report into the tenders compiled by lawyer Holman Fenwick Willan said: "The [procurement] concept calls for bids leading to the appointment of owners who will be responsible for the investment in, and construction and operation of most of the projects."

Multiplex and Bovis Lend Lease are expected to put in bids for these schemes because they did so well with the contracts they were given at the Sydney games.

Richard Wilmot, partner in Holman Fenwick Willan in Hong Kong, said the games would offer substantial opportunities for international contractors, especially those from the UK.

There are great opportunities for British contractors

Richard Wilmot, partner, Holman Fenwick Willan

He said: "There are great opportunities for British contractors. We are talking to some interested in pitching for some of the schemes."

But Wilmot warned contractors that the Chinese would enforce strict deadlines over pitching for schemes and completing contracts. Companies must pick up tender documents by the end of this month and then have two months to pre-qualify for the schemes.

Design and construction is due to start next July, with completion by December 2006.

Wilmot said: "I expect to see penalty provisions for contractors if they don't meet the completion deadlines."

  • Consultant Arup's report supporting a London bid for the 2012 Olympics was officially published last week.