Shuttering of the government (or parts of the government) following appropriations lapses has become an increasingly common phenomenon in recent times. Continuing resolutions have become a recurring stopgap measure. Funding lapses interrupt the usual predictability of government operations, which harms both agencies and federal contractors that are left in limbo with stop work orders.

Unfortunately, unlike many other topics, the FAR has little say when it comes to procedures for contractors to follow during or following a government shutdown. It seems that the FAR’s authors didn’t really envision the government shutting down as a normal occurrence. Recovering expenses incurred as a consequence of government shutdowns can be challenging.

Here are some pointers.