The SSRO’s Referral Committee met on 7 September 2026 to consider a referral submitted under the Defence Reform Act 2014 by a contractor to the Ministry of Defence. The contractor asked the SSRO to determine the extent to which its method for determining costs under regulated defence contracts would result in the costs being recoverable under those contracts.
The Referral Committee was satisfied that the referral is within the scope of the matters that may be referred to the SSRO for determination under section 20(5)(b) of the Defence Reform Act and that the contractor is permitted to apply for such a determination.
The SSRO will now investigate the matter in accordance with legislative requirements and having regard to its procedures for determinations. The Referral Committee’s final determination is expected to be made in February 2027 at which time an anonymised summary of the case and the matters considered will be published on the SSRO’s website.