Preparing for the year 2012, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in Britain has set out how it plans to procure and manage 2,000 direct contracts with businesses that will in turn manage up to 50,000 agreements across their own supply chains in its Supplier Guide, launched last week.

Among the requirements are:

* Union representation.
* Payment of nationally agreed rates, where applicable, and fair and appropriate pay.
* E-tendering, but not electronic auctions.
* The reuse or recycling of 90% of demolition materials.
* Transporting half the construction materials by weight by water and rail.

The ODA has already said it will not be using retentions to ensure conformity by bidders, but has not said it will ban the practice further down the supply chain. "We don't think retentions reflect industry best practice and have signed up to the 2012 construction commitments that include a pledge not to use retentions. We are encouraging all of our contractors to sign up to the 2012 commitments," said a spokesman.

According to Contract Journal, ODA head of procurement Morag Stuart launched the guide at the 2012 Construction Commitments roadshow in Bristol.