News Analysis:

4th Quarter rush could be early

      The federal market’s annual fourth-quarter busy buying season may be starting early this year.

      In a typical year, since federal agencies have to use up their fiscal year funding--”use it or lose it”--by Sept. 30, there is a rush to complete contracts in July, August and September.

      But that pattern may begin slightly earlier this year. Appropriations were much later than usual, and contracting also has been delayed by vacancies in key positions. Final fiscal 2017 spending was approved by Congress in early May.

      With the additional delays and ongoing vacancies, and with funding now apparently available, some agencies may be moving more quickly to spend it, even before the usual fourth-quarter spending spree.

      “Most individual federal offices will have their budget number for the rest of FY’17 by (June 9),’ Larry Allen, president of Allen Business Partners, wrote in his blog. “Contractors need to be ready to go.”

More information: Blog entry: http://goo.gl/OF0Ltz

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