Report: Gov’t Shutdown Hurts Federal Contractor Workforce

The shutdown has taken its toll on employees of companies with government contracts that rely on fiscal 2014 funds or existing projects that need access to federal buildings, Federal Times reported Monday.

Nicole Blake Johnson writes several agencies have cancelled Industry Day events, pushed back contract deadlines and halted work for some contractor staff due to the shutdown.

Virginia-based FCi Federal furloughed a number of its workers who provide support services at the Department of Homeland Security’s training centers, according to the report.

Alan Chvotkin, the Professional Services Council’s executive vice president, told Federal Times some companies allow employees idled by the shutdown to receive paid leave, take a temporary leave without pay or attend training activities.

The Pay Our Military Act sets aside funds to pay service members as well as civilian employees and contractors who support the military, Johnson writes.

Defense Department Comptroller Robert Hale said at an Oct. 10 congressional hearing that the agency was evaluating how to apply the law to contracts using funds for the current fiscal year.