Notice to U.S. Department of Education (ED) Contractors-Lapse in Government Appropriations

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has issued a notice to its contractors regarding the lapse in government appropriations. The notice advises contractors that ED appropriations expired on September 30, 2025, and that there are no annual appropriations for the ED as of October 1, 2025. Contractors are expected to continue performing their contracts unless they receive formal notice to the contrary. If a contract is dependent on additional appropriations, the contractor must stop all work requiring additional funding unless they receive specific written notification from a Contracting Officer. The notice also mentions that contract payments may not be made during the lapse in appropriations. • The lapse in appropriations is due to the expiration of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. • Contractors are expected to fully comply with the terms, conditions, requirements, and deliverables outlined in their contracts. • The ED will be working with a very limited staff during the lapse in appropriations. • Contractors may be contacted by another Contracting Officer within ED during this time.