Federal Contracting Strategy · November 2025
Shutdown Over — Now What GovCon Teams Must Do
The government reopened after a 43-day shutdown. Small, quick actions this week protect cash flow and put you first in line for restarting work.
What Happened: The Facts
- Congress passed a continuing appropriations package (H.R. 5371) that funds most agencies through Jan 30, 2026, and the bill was sent to the White House after Senate and House votes that ended the 43-day shutdown.
- The package also provided full-year funding for some programs (for example, agricultural and military construction items), giving a few agencies a longer funding runway.
What This Means for Contractors (Immediate Effects)
- Payments and invoices: Agencies can resume processing invoices. Expect backlog clearing in waves. Confirm payment timing with each contracting office.
- Contract performance: Paused work can restart, but COs will set restart instructions; do not resume material work until you have written direction.
- Cleared personnel & hiring: Rehiring and onboarding can restart, but plan for screening and access lead time.
Important Technical Note for DoD and Other Agencies
Some activities may have continued during the lapse if they were funded by unexpired, unobligated balances (multi-year or no-year funds). DoD and other agencies issued contingency guidance noting the limited continuation of work funded from those balances. Do not assume all DoD work continued; check the agency contingency guidance and confirm with the CO.
Sources: U.S. Department of War · FAQs
Top Risks and Watch Items
- This is a short-term CR, not final FY26 appropriations — expect new negotiations and possible pressure points in January.
- Agencies will triage priorities. Some invoices and small awards may take longer while agency finance teams clear critical payments first.
- Keep records of shutdown-related costs and delays. You may need these for equitable adjustments or claims later. The GAO guidance on lapses explains legal considerations.
Sources: Reuters · Government Accountability Office
Where to Focus Opportunity-Wise Now
- GSA MAS task orders & eBuy: Buyers often use MAS for quick buys while clearing backlogs. Update Advantage profiles and watch eBuy.
- Professional services MACs (OASIS, OASIS Plus): Ordering officers will use MACs for ramp-up work; confirm vehicle coverage and reach out to ordering offices.
- Technology GWACs / SEWP: IT priorities to restore mission systems can surface quickly. Ensure catalogs and pricing are current.
- Agency IDIQs and PoP/option-ends: Treat PoP/option-end dates as capture signals; contact primes for teaming.
- State & SLED piggybacks: Local governments may move faster and provide near-term wins. Use SAM.gov, agency forecast pages, and FPDS to find specific leads.
"The shutdown is over — but the window to act is narrow. Firms that move fast in the next two weeks will be first in line for restart work and emergency buys."
Immediate 10-Point Checklist
- Call the CO / COR and ask for written restart instructions and expected funding dates. (Document replies.)
- Resubmit outstanding invoices (if required) and request estimated payment dates; keep screenshots and tracking.
- Confirm option exercises and PoP dates so you know if time continues to run or was paused.
- Inventory paused deliverables and identify quick wins you can finish to generate revenue.
- Restart cleared hiring/onboarding and confirm facility access timing with the agency.
- Re-open capture on priority RFPs, but verify deadlines with the CO before moving heavy staff.
- Track agency guidance pages (agency news/contingency pages) and bookmark the CO and finance pages for updates.
- Document all shutdown impacts (costs, delays, workforce changes) for potential claims.
- Communicate with primes if you are a sub, confirm whether they need you to restart, and any verification steps.
- Prioritize pursuits where you already have past performance and cleared staff.