As the Government approaches yet another potential shutdown, we wanted to bring our reader’s attention to the information we have previously provided on this topic and some just-in-case planning suggestions. While unfortunate, the shutdown battles have become a perennial occurrence for most of the last two decades. We began writing on the topic prior to 2010, and our blog archives go back to 2012. The advice from these older blogs is just as relevant to contractors now as when initially published. Below are a few blogs we’ve published on the government shutdown topic:
- Government Closures & Shutdowns for Government Contractors (2018)
- Government Shutdown? Impact on Contractors (2013)
If you have specific concerns or questions, please let us know. We would be happy to talk through your situation, the potential impacts of a shutdown, and what you can do to prepare and protect your company.
Additionally, now is the time to coordinate with the Contracting Officer as to how best to continue performance on existing contracts during the shutdown – should it happen. Many contracts, especially service contracts, require daily access to Government locations and interaction with civilian and military personnel. Non-productive time by contractor employees is not a good thing for either party to the contract. Under even a cost-type contract, this eats into the limited funding and can impact the program. Under a fixed-price contract, it comes out of your pocket. Having a plan to continue efficiently and effectively performance benefits everyone. Additionally, should a request for equitable adjustment be needed due to the actions of the Government, this plan can help the groundwork and shows due diligence.
As a side note – many contracting officers are not that knowledgeable of the program under contract, so you are likely going to have to bring the Government’s program staff into this planning.
The big takeaway from this is that even though the Government may be shut down and payment for your contractual service could be delayed, you are still required to continue contract performance as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Redstone GCI assists contractors throughout the U.S. and internationally with understanding the Government’s expectations and supporting contractors from contract award to contract closeout. We would be happy to assist you with questions and concerns. Our staff includes experts in human resources, accounting, audit support, government compliance, and contract administration to assist our clients in government contracting.
John is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. providing government contract consulting services to our clients primarily related to the DFARS business systems, CAS Disclosure Statements, and DCAA/DCMA compliance preparation, advisory, and defense. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, John served in a number of capacities with DCAA/DCMA for more than 30 years. Upon his retirement, he was based in Texas as an SES-level Corporate Audit Director for DCAA, managing a staff of 300 auditors at one of the largest DOD programs. Professional Experience John began his career in the late 80s working in the Clearwater, FL audit office and over the next three decades he progressed through a number of positions within both DCAA and DCMA with career highlights as DCAA Program Manager at Ft. Belvoir, Chief of Technical Programs Division, Deputy Assistant Director-Policy, Director of the DCMA Cost and Pricing Center, the SES-level Lockheed Martin Corporate Audit Director, and Director of Integrity and Quality Assurance. John’s three decades of experience in performing and leading DCAA auditors and DCMA reviewers provides a wealth of expertise to our clients. John’s role, not only in the performance of audits, but also in the development of audit policy affords him unique insights into the defense of audit findings and the linkage of audit program steps to the underlying regulatory framework. He is an expert in FAR, DFARS, and other agency acquisition regulation, as well as a subject matter expert in the Cost Accounting Standards having reviewed and provided audit feedback on many of the largest and most complex cost accounting practices during his tenure with the DCAA. John’s tenure with DCAA and DCMA came at a critical time during each agency’s history where a number of changes were occurring such as the response to the ICS backlog, development of audit approaches to the DFARS Business Systems and implementation of new audit initiatives as a result of Congressional oversight through the NDAA process. John’s leadership at the DCMA Cost & Pricing center saw oversight of all major DOD pricing actions, leadership of should cost review teams, the Commercial Pricing group and many other areas of strategic value to our clients. His involvement in these and other Agency initiatives is of great value to our clients due to his in depth understanding of DCAA and DCMA’s internal policy directives. Education John holds a Master of Business Administration and a B.A. in Accounting from the University of South Florida. Certifications Certified Information Systems Auditor State of Alabama Certified Public Accountant