Although Congress averted a Government shutdown on October 1 by passing a temporary spending bill, we may be headed toward a shutdown next month.  As many Federal Government contractors have experienced during prior Government shutdowns, some portions of the Government — primarily those not funded through annual appropriations bills or that provide “essential services” — may continue to operate (often without pay or access to certain resources), while others shut down immediately, leaving contractors with a customer that often is unable to provide funding, authorize contract actions or respond to inquiries until the Government reopens its doors.  Faced with these challenges, contractors would be well advised to ensure their shutdown plans position them to navigate the potential challenges.  Each agency and contract can offer unique challenges, but we offer a few key considerations below to guide contractors in assessing their approaches to potential shutdowns: