SI explanatory text
Part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014 (c. 20) (“the Act”) establishes a regulatory framework for single source contracts (that is, contracts which are not subject to competitive tendering processes) to procure goods, works and services for defence purposes. The framework applies to qualifying defence contracts (that is, contracts to which the Secretary of State is a party and which meet the criteria in section 14(2) of the Act) and to qualifying sub-contracts (that is, contracts intended to secure the delivery of goods, works or services required under a qualifying defence contract and which meet the criteria in section 28(3) or (4) of the Act). The framework is overseen and monitored by the Single Source Regulations Office (“the SSRO”), a non-departmental public body established by the Act. The Single Source Contract Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3337) (“the Principal Regulations”) were made to implement the detail of the Act’s framework.