Tips for shutdown preparations

      Each shutdown is different--some last for days, others for hours--but it always helps to be prepared.

      Here are some tips:

--What work is impacted?

      Reach out to your contracting officer early on, while shutdown is still just a possibility. Most contracting personnel would be sent home at the very beginning of a shutdown, and it is likely there would be a lot of confusion and chaos, so it is important to begin the dialogue before things get hectic.

      The contracting officers are the points of contact for vendors to be informed if their contracts are affected. Do not expect advance notice or a definitive answer until the shutdown implementation plan is made final by the White House.

      Shutdowns generally go into effect at midnight or later, so be prepared for that possibility and develop a plan to inform your workers what to do.

--Did you get a stop-work notice?

      If you receive a stop-work notice, you must stop work. If you do not receive a stop-work notice, you must continue to perform.

--Difficult communications

      Communications during a shutdown will be difficult. Directions from the agency may change at any time, and it may be difficult to locate the appropriate federal contact person who can provide information. Contractor employees may lose access to agency buildings or databases. Develop a plan in advance for communicating with your employees to provide guidance on what to do.

--Managing employee time

      Plan to keep your employees busy with training or other projects, or ask them to take vacation time if possible.

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