# Ninth Circuit Narrows NDAA Whistleblower Protection

The Ninth Circuit Court has ruled that employees who do not make protected disclosures under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are not considered whistleblowers, thereby limiting the scope of whistleblower retaliation claims under the NDAA. This decision clarifies the legal boundaries of protected disclosures for government contractors and agencies managing federal grants, impacting compliance and risk management practices.

- Procurement professionals should review contract and grant compliance policies to ensure alignment with the narrowed whistleblower protections under the NDAA.
- Contractors and agencies must update training and reporting procedures to reflect the clarified scope of protected disclosures, reducing potential liability exposure.
- Legal and compliance teams may need to reassess whistleblower claim handling and documentation in light of this ruling.
- Organizations involved in federal grants and contracts should consult legal counsel to understand implications for employee disclosures and retaliation claims.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- Wellpinit School District

### Sources
- [Ninth Circuit Narrows NDAA Whistleblower Protection in Nonrenewal](https://natlawreview.com/article/employee-who-made-no-protected-disclosure-was-not-whistleblower) - The National Law Review