We provide statutory oversight and regulation of single-source defence contracts
The Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) oversees the regulatory framework for single source (non-competitive) defence contracts, which places pricing controls on qualifying contracts and requires transparency on the part of defence contractors.
Our purpose is to support and improve the operation of the regulatory framework and to assist the organisations who must apply it to do so as effectively as possible.
Through the delivery of our statutory functions we aim to ensure that good value for money is obtained in government expenditure on qualifying defence contracts and that contractors are paid a fair and reasonable price under those contracts.
The SSRO plays a key role in supporting the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts established by Part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014 (the Act) and the Single Source Contract Regulations 2014 (the Regulations). We aim to provide the SSRO’s stakeholders with an overview of the guidance the SSRO issues for use by the Secretary of State for Defence and the parties to contracts which are regulated under this framework. The guidance overview sets out:
- the guidance the SSRO provides and the basis for doing so;
- how we develop and review our guidance, including how we engage with stakeholders to ensure our guidance is fit for purpose;
- how we promote understanding of our guidance; and
- how we measure our performance in providing guidance to inform ongoing improvements in our approach.
The Defence Contract Analysis and Reporting System (DefCARS) allows contractors to meet the reporting requirements for contract and supplier reports.
DefCARS is an online, web-enabled system which facilitates submission of statutory reports to the SSRO and MOD. When preparing reports, contractors must have regard to guidance issued by the SSRO.
The regulatory framework specifies how contracts that meet the requirements for being qualifying defence contracts (QDCs) or qualifying sub-contracts (QSCs) must be priced.
The SSRO’s functions include giving guidance on each of this aspect of the regulatory framework and providing an annual assessment to the Secretary of State on the appropriate rates to use in determining contract profit. Our guidance plays an important role in supporting MOD contracting staff and contractors to apply the regulatory framework and realise the benefits the Act and Regulations seek to achieve.
The SSRO provides support to the MOD and defence contractors in relation to the regulatory framework. The SSRO’s support is designed to:
- inform people about the regulatory framework, the role of the SSRO and aspects of its work, such as guidance, compliance reviews and referrals;
- assist contractors to submit reports required under the regulatory framework and apply the SSRO’s guidance; and
- help the MOD and contractors to use the Defence Contracts Analysis and Reporting System (DefCARS).
Our helpdesk operates from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding UK bank holidays. It can be contacted on 020 3771 4785 or by email at helpdesk@ssro.gov.uk. We can also arrange online video calls via Microsoft Teams.
We answer most helpdesk queries within 1 or 2 working days and aim to respond to all queries within a maximum of 5 working days.
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.
Featured
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May 28, 2026
This newsletter highlights the SSRO’s recent work to support stakeholders across the MOD and industry. Transcript of video Hello everyone – I’m John Russell, Chief Executive of the Single Source Regulations Office, and I have a brief update to share on how we’re supporting stakeholders across the Ministry of Defence and industry. In March, the […]
May 11, 2026
Most UK defence contracts awarded without competition fall under the Single Source Regulatory Framework, which is designed to ensure fair pricing and value for money. Price changes may arise where the scope of a contract changes, new work is added, or the costs or assumptions used to set the original price need to be updated. […]
May 11, 2026
The SSRO will hold its second teach-in session of 2026 on 10 June (online, via Teams), focusing on new guidance that helps contractors and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) amend the prices of qualifying contracts in a clear, transparent and efficient way. The teach-in will help attendees gain a better understanding of the guidance on […]
March 13, 2026
The Secretary of State for Defence has today (13 March 2026) confirmed the baseline profit rate that will apply for 2026/27, which will be used as the first-step in the process for agreeing the contract profit rate on critical defence contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the absence of a competitive process. […]
February 12, 2026
The SSRO’s approach to overseeing the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts is grounded in the principle of being a responsive and supportive regulator. By providing clear and accessible guidance on the regulatory framework, the SSRO helps the parties to non-competitive contracts to understand what is expected of them and safeguards value for money […]
November 12, 2025
Detail of outcome The SSRO is today publishing the outcome of its consultation on changes to the compliance and review methodology. The proposals included: aligning our key performance indicators to the SSRO’s Corporate Plan 2025-2026; clarifying our report review priorities depending on resource availability; and providing more flexibility for when the SSRO may raise issues […]
Latest News
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May 28, 2026
This newsletter highlights the SSRO’s recent work to support stakeholders across the MOD and industry. Transcript of video Hello everyone – I’m John Russell, Chief Executive of the Single Source Regulations Office, and I have a brief update to share on how we’re supporting stakeholders across the Ministry of Defence and industry. In March, the […]
May 11, 2026
The SSRO will hold its second teach-in session of 2026 on 10 June (online, via Teams), focusing on new guidance that helps contractors and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) amend the prices of qualifying contracts in a clear, transparent and efficient way. The teach-in will help attendees gain a better understanding of the guidance on […]
May 11, 2026
Most UK defence contracts awarded without competition fall under the Single Source Regulatory Framework, which is designed to ensure fair pricing and value for money. Price changes may arise where the scope of a contract changes, new work is added, or the costs or assumptions used to set the original price need to be updated. […]
May 8, 2026
Announcement of publication date for 2025/26 annual statistics bulletin The SSRO would like to make stakeholders aware that the forthcoming Annual Qualifying Defence Contract Statistics: 2025/26 bulletin will be published on 28 July 2026. There are a number of changes the SSRO would like to ensure readers are aware of, detailed below. Forthcoming changes to […]
April 23, 2026
Update: A subsequent publication of the Contract Award Notice on the central digital platform (Find a Tender service) has resulted in a later standstill end date. The SSRO will apply this later date. The standstill period will therefore end at midnight on Friday 8 May 2026 and the SSRO will not enter into the contract […]
March 13, 2026
The Secretary of State for Defence has today (13 March 2026) confirmed the baseline profit rate that will apply for 2026/27, which will be used as the first-step in the process for agreeing the contract profit rate on critical defence contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the absence of a competitive process. […]
SSRO Helpdesk
The helpdesk is the point of contact within the SSRO where parties to qualifying defence contracts or qualifying sub-contracts can ask for clarification, advice or seek further information on all issues related to the work of the SSRO and its statutory functions.
helpdesk@ssro.gov.uk020 3771 4785