Guidance

Guidance on the SSRO’s procedures under the Defence Reform Act 2014 and Single Source Contract Regulations 2014

The SSRO has a duty to issue opinions or legally binding determinations in relation to certain matters referred to it by the Ministry of Defence or contractors in qualifying contracts.

• From: Single Source Regulations Office
• Published: 24 March 2015
• Last updated: 8 April 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Guidance on the SSRO's procedures for determinations under the Defence Reform Act 2014

PDF, 354 KB, 26 pages

Guidance on the SSRO's procedures for opinions under the Defence Reform Act 2014

PDF, 369 KB, 21 pages

Guidance on the SSRO’s procedures for appeals against assessment as a qualifying sub-contract under the Defence Reform Act 2014

PDF, 315 KB, 21 pages

Guidance on the SSRO’s procedures for notices of cessation as a qualifying sub-contract under the Defence Reform Act 2014

PDF, 311 KB, 20 pages

Guidance on requiring the payment of referral-related costs

PDF, 205 KB, 15 pages

Details

The SSRO may be asked to give a formal opinion or make a legally binding determination on matters related to the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts in circumstances set out in the Defence Reform Act 2014 and Single Source Contract Regulations 2014. The SSRO has published guides to the procedures it will follow when giving an opinion or making a determination on matters referred to it. The guidance for each type of referral provides details of:

• the requirements for making a referral to the SSRO;
• the criteria that the SSRO will apply to determine whether to accept a referral;
• the process the SSRO follows at each stage when giving an opinion or making a determination; and
• the roles and expectations of all parties throughout the process.

Anyone intending to make a referral to the SSRO should contact us via referrals@ssro.gov.uk or 020 3771 4785 to discuss the requirements for referrals.

A party seeking an opinion or determination from the SSRO may find it helpful to complete the SSRO’s Referral submission template.

Requiring the payment of referral-related costs

The regulatory framework provides that the SSRO may require the payment of referral-related costs by one party to another when giving an opinion or making a determination. The SSRO has published guidance describing the approach it will take when considering, upon request, whether to require the payment of referral-related costs by one party to another.

The SSRO welcomes feedback on its published guidance to referrals@ssro.gov.uk.

Published 24 March 2015
Last updated 8 April 2024 + show all updates

1. 8 April 2024

   Opinions, determination, appeals and cessation guidance updated

2. 27 October 2021

   Guidance on payment of referral related costs published and other guidance updated to reflect

3. 18 February 2020

   Guidance on appeals and cessation published

4. 1 April 2019

   Guidance updated post consultation

5. 5 February 2016

   Guidance updated

6. 24 March 2015

   First published.