What You Need to Know Now: Preparing for a Possible Government Shutdown
The continuing resolution currently funding government operations, including many federal contracts, will expire at midnight on April 8, 2011. Failure by lawmakers to pass another resolution or reach an agreement on funding for the remainder of the fiscal year will result in a federal government shutdown. The possibility of a shutdown has left contractors wondering how or even if they can continue to perform their federal contracts.Construction contracts awarded on a fixed-price basis will be substantially unaffected by the shutdown. However, for most cost-type contracts, time and materials contracts, IDIQ contracts, and those contracts that have yet to be awarded, the shutdown will likely suspend operations completely or delay awards indefinitely. Therefore, it is important for contractors to prepare for the consequences of a government shutdown.
ѻý FAR Committee Chairman Dirk Haire has written an article and provided a matrix and model letters for contractors to utilize to help answer questions on what to do in the instance of a government shutdown.
To view the article click here.
To view the matrix and sample letters, click here.
ѻý has also prepared information from the following Federal agencies on their contingency plans should the government shut down at midnight April 8.
Army Corps of Engineers
The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued guidance to its entire workforce on the potential government shutdown. Click here to view.
Bureau of Overseas Building Operations
OBO issued the following guidance:
In the event the Government is shutdown between Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 and is not reopened by Monday, April 18, the scheduled April 26 OBO Industry Advisory Panel meeting will be postponed to a later date in May. If there is a shutdown and the Government is opened before Monday, April 18, we will proceed with the meeting as scheduled.
If a budget resolution is not passed, during the shutdown, OBO will not be allowed to communicate with panel members or meeting invitees.
Bureau of Reclamation
- To view full statement,
- To view OPM shutdown contingency plan .