Senior Procurement Executive Message to the Department of State Contractor and Financial Assistance Community on the Lapse in Appropriations

idance due to the lapse in appropriations that occurred on January 31, 2026. This guidance relates to the handling of Department contract and federal assistance (grants) awards that is consistent with Department and Office of Management and Budget�s Guidance on Operations During a Lapse in Appropria

tions. The Antideficiency Act prohibits agencies from incurring obligations that are in advance of, or that exceed, an appropriation, with certain limited exceptions. As you are aware, a full fiscal year 2026 appropriation is not yet enacte