As Congress lurches toward the first government shutdown in 5 years, federal contractors need to be increasingly aware of the short and longer-term impacts on their business.  These are three issues companies should be particularly aware of right now:

1.  Your Customer May Not Have A Current COOP:  A recent survey of federal agencies found that many have not updated their Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) since 2015.  That’s pre-pandemic before hybrid work schedules were normalized and before newer projects were started.  Contractors absolutely need to take some time from pursuing last minute business to discuss what their current customers’ plans are for a shutdown.  Read more

While most federal contract enforcement actions are settled with civil penalties, it’s important to remember that there is a criminal side to the False Claims Act.  Contractors, even those selling commercial items, can go to prison for flagrant violations.  The latest GSA Office of the Inspector General Semi-Annual report touches on two such cases that closed in just one six-month period.  Although not the case with the longest sentence, the matter in which a business falsely claimed small, disadvantaged business size is the one that should grab the attention of any company tempted to call itself “small” when it is not.  In this case, the company owner was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and a $5 million fine for bidding on and winning procurements set aside for small, disadvantaged businesses when  they did not have that Read more

Improving the experience of citizens interacting with government agencies has been a major emphasis of the Biden Administration.  Led by the Office of Management and Budget, federal agencies everywhere are investing in technology and cultural change to make it easier for people to get what they need from the agencies serving them.  Federal contractors should get on this bandwagon, too.  Improving service to federal agencies may seem obvious, but given a recent scan of federal business news, it’s clear that some contractors need to up their customer service game.  Contract fulfillment delays are a hot button issue.  Whether the company is a defense contractor or a GSA Schedule provider, your federal customer notices when you can’t deliver on time.  Delays can be more than a frustration.  Fulfilling mission critical projects can Read more

While last-minute Continuing Resolutions are common at the end of each fiscal year in the current era, the questions on whether Congress will allow a government shutdown continue to swirl.  While some continue to consult the Lares and the Penates, here are three possible scenarios that contractors should prepare for as of now.

1.  A Short-Term CR Passes in Time Without A Shutdown:  This is the most optimistic scenario and may be the one that actually plays out.  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is floating a 10-day CR with the hope that the time could be used to clear a path for a longer-term measure.  Final appropriations could be Read more

After over 20 years of trying, GSA announced last week that it is officially reorganizing the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS).  Regional offices will now report more to central FAS officials in an effort to streamline operations and make the best use of existing resources.  Regional offices have always had a “dotted line” to the central office, but many acted independently on day-to-day matters.  The impact on contractors will likely be mixed.  Many may not initially notice much of a change as they will continue interacting with the GSA officials with whom they Read more