Bookmark this page to keep up to date on the federal government shutdown and how America's engineering and design services industry can navigate agency changes.

While lawmakers attempt to navigate a path forward, it's crucial for ACEC member companies to review their government shutdown plans, especially those directly involved with federal contracts. The government shutdown could severely impact contracts and programs, halting them or delaying new awards. Agency shutdown contingency plans can be found below.

  • Nonessential government staff may be sent home without pay, affecting agency contracting officers, grant evaluators, and program directors.
  • Essential workers, like military and TSA officers, will work without pay.

Transportation programs, funded through the Highway Trust Fund and IIJA, will not be impacted by the shutdown. However, federal resource agencies won't process some reviews, potentially affecting transportation and infrastructure projects.

General Tips for Federal Government Contractors:

  • Talk with your government customers - can you continue to work if there is a shutdown? If you can continue to work and your main government point of contact is unavailable, who do you contact for questions and issues during the shutdown?
  • Review your contract for any milestones in the next two months. Does a deliverable need to be accepted? If so, who will accept it? Is there an option year that needs exercised in the next two months?
  • Document business decisions made because of an actual or potential government shutdown. Without proper documentation, a request for equitable adjustment (REA) is less likely to be approved.
  • Submit all invoices for work completed to maximize your cash flow. Consider contacting your financial institution to discuss cash flow concerns and potential loan options.

If you see a disruption in the marketplace that is critical to your business, please alert ACEC.

Points of contact:

Agency Guidance During the Shutdown:

→ Army Corps of Engineers

→ Department of Commerce

→ Department of Defense

→ Department of Education

→ Department of Health & Human Services

→ Department of Homeland Security

→ Department of Housing & Urban Development

→ Department of Labor

→ Department of State

→ Department of Transportation

→ Department of the Treasury

→ Environmental Protection Agency

→ Internal Revenue Service

→ Social Security Administration

ACEC President & CEO Linda Bauer Darr Statement on the Shutdown:

“The American Council of Engineering Companies urges lawmakers to find a bipartisan solution that ends this unnecessary disruption to our economy.

A shutdown has a detrimental impact across the economy, causing delays in the permitting and execution of critical infrastructure projects and hurting the clients and communities we serve. Our member companies are on the front lines of delivering safe, dependable infrastructure that supports economic growth and quality of life.

ACEC calls on policymakers to work swiftly toward a resolution that ensures continuity of government services and upholds the stability our industry needs to design and build for America’s future.”