(Click on headlines below to read each full story.) Shutdown shocker: Contractors feeling pain of federal agency closures The stunning federal government shutdown of all non-essential operations is now in its second week, with no end in sight. Tips for Surviving the Shutdown Government contractors large and small are in upheaval as a result of the federal shutdown that started on Oct. 1. Small vendors respond to the shutdown Contracts have stalled, regular orders are not coming in and small business owners are worried about how to pay employees and their bills. The hurt from the federal government shutdown of 2013 is very real, and could get worse. Shutdown’s many ripples: SBA offices closed; OASIS postponed The impacts of the government shutdown that began Oct. 1 continue to ripple through small business government contracting. Senator questions VA art purchase The Veterans Affairs Department is being asked to connect the dots to explain its recent $562,000 art work purchase. Small vendors included on major Army systems contract Two small businesses were included in the Army’s just-awarded $4.1 billion contract for communications and transmissions systems. Column: Potential pitfalls for small businesses in hiring incumbent staff Many small businesses operate under the assumption that it is permissible to hire incumbent personnel en masse on a successor contract in order to comply with the legal requirement to provide a right of first refusal of employment to such incumbent personnel. Washington Insider: Senate CR has big cuts Eventually the government shutdown will end.... E-Verify, SSNs at risk The E-Verify system run by the Homeland Security Department is not functioning during the shutdown.... Amazon wins cloud case A judge ruled in favor of Amazon Web Services over IBM..... SDV protest appeals The Veterans Affairs Department published a new rule allowing appeals for protested companies found to be ineligible as SDVOSBs.....