ust two months to the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the organizing committee (OC) ironically seems to be slowing down rather than speeding up. It has now decided on a fresh request for proposal (RFP) to award catering contracts at all 17 venues, except the Games Village.
The process of choosing caterers is not expected to be completed before August-end, which would leave barely a fortnight for the infrastructure to be put in place. The caterers are meant to start operating from September 15 when the athletes are expected to start arriving.
The two RFPs are for two services — packaged food and catering in VIP lounge areas. The RFPs were released on Saturday and a deadline of July 30 and July 31 respectively has been set. If followed to the letter, the process could take a while to get to the point when OC chairman, Suresh Kalmadi makes the final choice.
While one RFP is meant for the workforce, another one will serve VIPs and the Games Family members, as well as athletes and delegates.
This will further need the approval of the finance committee of the OC and then the executive board before the caterer is given the letter of award to start work. The entire procedure is expected to take at least till the end of August. Interestingly, the caterer will also need to give a list of workers for accreditation by Delhi police, the last date for which is August 1. This is besides the time required to set up temporary structures that the caterer will need at the venues, especially the firm serving at the lounge areas.
Source TOI