The SSRO has published two papers bringing together information on international approaches to single source contracting – where goods and services are purchased from a supplier in the absence of competition.
To coincide with the annual meeting of the International Industrial Cost Analysis and Verification Community of Practice (ICOP), being hosted by the SSRO in London from 9-10 September, the SSRO has published two papers which bring together information on the approaches to single source contracting taken by eleven international public procurement authorities.
Same Challenges, Different Solutions draws on information provided to the SSRO by ICOP members in spring and summer 2025 giving insights into the key similarities and distinctions in approaches to single source contracting in different jurisdictions, including:
- approaches to risk sharing;
- approaches to profit;
- approaches to cost; and
- use of data on single source contract pricing.
A compendium of the responses from ICOP members is provided separately as a reference source for ICOP members and other interested parties.
The SSRO hopes these papers will improve awareness of this increasingly important aspect of public procurement. Additionally, the papers provide a stimulus for further information exchange and discussion between ICOP members and others about how differences in approach impact on the achievement of policy objectives including the roles that assurance and regulatory bodies can play in supporting improvements.
The publications will be of interest to policy makers, procurement professionals, cost auditors, academics, and others who are also considering these matters.
