Post-Shutdown Recovery: How to Win Fast When the Government Reopens

2025 federal government shutdown – the longest in history – stalled solicitations, pressured agency staffing, and disrupted procurement pipelines, costing U.S. taxpayers up to a staggering $14 billion in permanent loss. When the shutdown ended, contractors were forced to act swiftly yet precisely in responding to pent-up bid demand. In this blog, we discuss how, each time there is a government shutdown, both existing and potential contractors can regain momentum in the bidding process when Congress finally passes a bill to reopen the federal government for business.

Surge of delayed solicitations

Federal agencies experienced an immediate wave of pending solicitations once they returned to work. Many pre-shutdown drafts moved quickly into formal solicitations, often with minimal changes. Contracting officers were required to clear backlog rapidly, which resulted in large clusters of solicitations and compressed timelines. A strong post-shutdown strategy anticipated this surge and positioned businesses to respond with both speed and discipline. In these circumstances, contractors benefited from prioritizing high-value opportunities while maintaining compliance and quality.

Action items for handling the solicitations surge:

• Review all pre-shutdown drafts you were tracking and refresh readiness for formal responses
• Provide dedicated review resources for expediting proposal compliance, including legal, technical, and pricing
• Establish a cross-functional “rapid response” team for high-value solicitations
• Plan scenarios for modelling various demands of resources and timelines of solicitations

Bid protests are in

As agencies resumed full operations, bid protest activity increased. Protests filed before the shutdown but not yet resolved were pushed forward, and many resulted in corrective actions. Contracting officers issued revised evaluation criteria, reopened competitions, or released new source-selection notices. These shifts changed competitive positioning quickly. A prepared federal proposal writing team monitored protest outcomes closely and adjusted capture and proposal strategies based on evolving requirements.

Important considerations when protests resume:

• Monitor decisions at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the agency level beginning when operations resume
• Search for corrective-action notices or re-evaluation instructions related to pre-shutdown protests
• Review the risk profile, budget and schedule of the proposal from the perspective of protest outcome
• Identify scopes of submitting new offers or to re-compete when a long-run protest ends in re-solicitation

Monitoring SAM.gov during reopening

Once funding was restored, SAM.gov saw a high volume of amendments, new solicitations, clarifications, and Q&A updates. Structured internal monitoring helped businesses maintain real-time awareness and enabled fast, accurate federal proposal writing once opportunities were reactivated. Businesses that maintained visibility on daily updates were better positioned to respond to rapid shifts in requirements.

Best practices for SAM.gov monitoring:

• Set up saved-search alerts across multiple keywords, NAICS codes, and solicitation types
• Designate one or more team members to review newly posted or reactivated solicitations daily
• Keep a change tracker to log changes, Q&A entries, and due date updates
• Hold everyday standups for the first fortnight of reopening to allocate resources and communicate updates

Preparing for solicitation quick releases

During the reopening period, businesses had to pivot quickly into full proposal-production mode. Consistent preparation prevented rushed or incomplete submissions. Contractors with flexible pricing, staffing, and compliance frameworks were better equipped to reduce risk and improve competitiveness during the surge.

How businesses can ensure better preparation for quick releases:

• Update proposal templates to reflect any revised solicitation formats or compliance language
• Recalibrate models of pricing due to the change in cost brought about by the shutdown: subcontractors, material and labor
• Confirm teaming arrangements with subcontractors and solidify their commitment
• Clearly define internal decision-making workflows for quick finalization and submission

Managing performance guidance and late changes

Contracts paused during the shutdown returned to active status, but performance direction often shifted. Contracting officers redirected funding, adjusted priorities, or requested updated work plans. To protect performance and financial interests, a post-shutdown strategy required a structured review and documentation process. This ensured that businesses stayed aligned with agency requirements while preserving their ability to negotiate adjustments.

How to better manage work resumption:

• Inventory all outstanding modifications, unfunded options or administrative actions
• Request written confirmation of any changed performance priorities or funding lines
• Document internal and external impacts from the shutdown, such as resource gaps or schedule slippage
• Update your plan of work and resources to reflect this revised direction

Realigning cost structures for restarted work

After the pause, cost realignment reflected changed conditions. Labor rates shifted for several industries, and many subcontractor terms or material pricing changed from pre-shutdown expectations. Accurate cost realignment helped businesses avoid overrun and under-billing. As work resumed, businesses refined key cost elements, burn rates, and cash-flow projections to better align with actual market and performance conditions. These steps supported a sound post-shutdown strategy and mitigated risk when negotiating modifications or pursuing contract adjustments.

How businesses can prepare:

• Verify that labor and subcontractor rates are the same as at the time of shutdown
• Review material availability and prices for any market fluctuations
• Update performance projections and burn rate forecasts
• Confirm payment expectations and resource deployments to current schedules

Stay ahead during post-shutdown solicitation surges

When federal operations resumed, opportunities moved fast. The post-shutdown surge demanded precision, speed, and disciplined execution – and that’s where The RFP Firm comes in.

We provide expert federal proposal support to help businesses respond confidently and competitively. Our team:

• Applies proven federal proposal methodologies for clarity and compliance
• Monitors real-time opportunity updates to keep businesses ahead of the curve
• Implements strategic post-shutdown positioning to maximize the winning potential

Critical hours following a shutdown require coordinated action, and businesses benefit from reinforced pipelines and rapid response capability. Contact The RFP Firm to structure an approach that converts post-shutdown conditions into competitive gains. The team’s focus on clarity, compliance, and timely delivery ensures that businesses remain prepared for every rapid shift in the federal contracting environment.