The Shutdown Is Over. How Did It Impact Government Acquisition Reform?
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has ended. Full or even partial government “shutdowns” can impact agency missions and the delivery of efficient and reliable government services. A lapse in appropriations can impact government acquisitions through delays, project disruptions, and staffing challenges. As government agencies reopen, acquisition professionals will likely spend the coming weeks taking stock of the status of contracts and issuing modifications to adjust for disruptions and deliverable delays, and any other issues that might have arisen since October 1.
This assessment is especially important given the momentum of the Trump Administration’s sweeping “Revolutionary FAR Overhaul” (RFO) — the U.S. government’s first-ever comprehensive overhaul of the rulebook for government contracting.
These significant changes will have a lasting impact on the way the commercial technology industry works with the federal government. Although the final proposed changes to contracting regulations were posted on September 30, 2025, formal rulemaking is still needed to finalize and fully implement the revised text. It is unclear how the shutdown may have delayed or otherwise impacted the government’s plans for RFO rulemaking — a critical final step in soliciting public feedback.
Meanwhile, other important government contracting initiatives have moved forward. Notably, the General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) OneGov initiatives — historic governmentwide deals for innovative software and AI solutions — have remained available for agencies’ use. GSA’s Information Technology Vendor Management Office (ITVMO) also recently released a full catalog of resources for contractors.
In addition, Secretary Pete Hegseth released his Department’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy and referenced three additional communications designed to “redefine how the Department develops requirements, manages programs, and engages industry to ensure America’s warfighters receive critical capabilities at the speed of relevance.”
In short, the next few weeks and months will likely bring about significant changes and new opportunities for public-private partnerships as key civilian and defense acquisition reforms move towards the finish line. As agencies remain focused on their missions, the tech industry will continue to collaborate with the Trump Administration’s to improve the government’s approach to buying goods and services.
Learn more about ITI’s analysis of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul.
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