While it is still technically possible that Congress could pass full-year appropriations bills for the next fiscal year, history and the calendar do not hold out much hope.  Congress will leave town early both this summer, for the Presidential conventions, and in the fall, for their own re-election, substantially shortening the time available to pass appropriations measures.  It is quite likely that FY’17 will start under a Continuing Resolution, perhaps lasting as long as 5 months.  This possibility makes it particularly important to get new projects on the books by September 30th.  Once a new project is initiated, it becomes an “existing” project in the new FY and, thus, can continue even if there is a CR.

Those familiar with government business will remember that CR’s do not allow for “new” spending.  That could place a substantial damper on vital government projects like cyber implementation and the acquisition of new IT systems.  If your government customers haven’t thought that far ahead, it’s time for you to help them understand that starting a project now, even if most funding will come later, is especially important in an election year.  Starting “early” this year is really the same thing as starting on time.