8. Lord Currie's report was published in October 2011 and is accessible at http://defenceconsultations.org.uk/ category/independent-review-of-single-source-pricing-regulations/link-to-pdf-document/. One of the reports main recommendations is that MOD should receive from its single source contractors more regular and consistent pricing data, actual cost information and variance analysis. If implemented, this should significantly improve the quantity, quality and timeliness of contractor data received by the MOD on non-competitive contracts. Rather than the selective approach to deciding what contracts to seek outturn costs on, the Currie recommendations would give the MOD actual outturn data (including actual versus target profit) on all single contracts over £5 million. By definition, this data will be less skewed than a selective sample and will enable more accurate conclusions to be drawn about MOD's pricing performance, leading to better informed pricing of subsequent contracts.
9. Although MOD would be able to include this data when reporting the outturns on single source contracts to bodies such as the PAC, HMT and the NAO, it does not envisage a full "post-costing" type investigation of every contract over £5 million. The MOD will in many cases rely on the fact that the contractor's statement of actual costs/profits will require company Board level certification. For this reason Lord Currie recommends the retention of the MOD's formal post-costing rights, where the Department believes it needs to examine the outturn in more detail, to verify the contractor's explanation of cost variances. He also recommends a relaxation of the terms of DEFCON 648A, allowing contractors to make greater returns on individual contracts where efficiencies deliver cost reductions (and greater losses where performance is poor). Lord Currie's recommendations are all aimed at driving greater efficiency into single source procurement and improving value for money to the taxpayer.
10. Lord Currie's recommendations are now the subject of further consultation across Government and industry, led by MOD with the involvement of the CBI and other stakeholders. Following consultation the MOD is planning to make a public response to Lord Currie's recommendations in spring 2012.