An Update on Procurement Complaint Reforms: Australia and the United States

Abstract

Over the past three years, both Australia and the United States (U.S.) have seen significant reforms in regard to how suppliers contest federal defence procurements. For Australia, reforms to the complaints system are profound. Whilst reforms effecting the bid protest system in the U.S. gained significant traction resulting in the Section 809 Panel recommending significant changes to the defense acquisition system, portions of those anticipated reforms have stalled due to a range of factors. This paper provides readers with an update on the state of reforms in both nations, thereby providing the global community of existing and potential defence suppliers with insight into current processes complainants have a right to access to hold the customer to account.