Government Shutdown Survival Guide

System Availability

Dec 19, 2024: In the 2018/2019 Shutdown, we continued to have some FCC systems because of activities related to the Incentive Auction.  In the 2013 Shutdown (during the Second Generation LPFM Filing Window), we lost all systems.  At this time, we have no official information from the FCC regarding systems availability.  In the event of a shutdown, there is a possibility that websites at the FCC will continue to operate.  We are not sure yet about day to day operations at the agency and whether the days during all or the first part of any shutdown would be considered as business days.  REC's contingency plans will assume that no FCC systems will be available.  But again, nothing official has been announced.  

In the event of a shutdown that impacts LMS, all eLMS services will be stopped and no morning updates will be performed until the FCC is reopened.  REC services with stored data such as FCCdata, LPFM.us and the WIndow Tracking Tool will remain operational but real time updates will stop.  Depending on the services shut down, we may lose the FCC Contours API which will impact the ability for some maps to be viewed on FCCdata as well as cut off other REC services where direct interaction with the API is used.  Examples include the HAAT and elevation tools and the encorachment report in myLPFM.  More information in the table below.

Deadlines and filing windows

Filing deadline date calculations are addressed in §1.4 of the rules.  Specifically, the rules state that a holiday is considered any Saturday, Sunday or federally recognized holiday. In addition, holidays are also considered any day that the FCC is closed due to inclement weather or other conditions and does not re-open prior to 5:30PM on that day.  

In the event of a government shutdown, expect your due dates for filing to be the end-of-day of the day that the Commission reopens.  We do note that the individual FCC bureaus may extend those deadlines to meet the specific needs of their bureaus.  Licensees and permittees should be mindful of those public notices.  REC will attempt to make note of such extensions through our various channels including social media.  REC can't stress any further that any filings that can be done without the need to reference shut-down systems should be ready to go on the day the government reopens.  For form filings (including licenses to cover construction permits), you must wait until the government reopens before the filing systems are accessible again.  Until then, make sure you have your TPOs and other parameters properly calculated and all exhibits prepared so the filing process will be go through fast.  Of course, you can use REC for your filings and let us deal with that. 

Dec 19 2024: We are also mindful of the fact that there is currently a filing deadline in the Third Generation LPFM Filing Window for aggregation time share and settlement agreements of January 15.  While we can't be sure, we do not believe that this deadline will be impacted unless the shutdown runs to that date in which it is likely that the extension may be extended, by rule to the first business day of operation, unless additional guidance is made by the FCC.  We further note that other than to file the agreement, system access is not necessary to negotiate a time share or settlement agreement without any technical changes. In addition, there are currently no MX Groups with more than 3 tentative selectees.  In groups with 3 tentative selectees, any time share agreement that involves two tentative selectees will clinch the group. With that, we do feel that negotiations can still take place, even in light of a government shutdown and we do not feel that it is necessary to request any special considerations.

Emergency STAs

2023: If a broadcast station needs an emergency special temporary authority (STA) that involves life and property, the emergency number for the FCC is (202)418-1122. 

Enforcement

2023: While there have been a lot of comments made throughout social media, most of them hopefully jokingly, stating that because of the shutdown, there will be an increase in out of compliance operations, we do note that the FCC plans to keep 17 employees on staff to protect life and property including staffing the High Frequency Direction Finding Center.  An additional 4 employees will be retained to provide oversight or conduct interference detection, mitigation and disaster response operations wherever they are needed.  Specific employees may be recalled from furlough if the need requires.  

During a shutdown, all rules and statutes still apply.  It's not a time when you can cuss on the air, carry commercials (if you are non-commercial), pirate or run excessive power (all of which have been discussed in social media). Because of broadcasting's Emergency Alert System requirements, any interference to broadcast stations could be viewed as a safety of life situation.  Remember, Charlie may be closed but Charlie is still watching.

Updates

12/19/2024 10:00AM - REC updates the Shutdown page in the event of an upcoming shutdown. 

12/20/2024 6:00PM - The House has just passed the continuing resolution to keep the Government open. It now goes to the Senate. If it passes there, it goes to the President to sign, thus averting a shutdown of the government.

12/21/2024 6:45AM - Early this morning, the Senate passed the continuing resolution to keep the government open until March 14, 2025.  Government operations were not interrupted. 

Historic FCC Documents

(Hosted at REC)

08/2023 - Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations

12/31/2018 - FCC to suspend most operations mid-day Thursday in the event of a continued partial lapse in Federal Government funding

01/02/2019 - Impact of potential lapse in funding on Commission operations

Impacts of the Government Shutdown on REC tools

REC live operations during a shutdown

On days when the FCC is closed, REC goes into "shutdown operations" on days where operations are superseded by other issues such as family priority or holidays.  During shutdown operations, phone support will continue to be available at most times however we will be limited on the functions that we will be able to do during this time due to the lack of FCC systems.  REC does have some backup methods where we can preliminarily check things while waiting for the government to reopen.  During shutdowns, we do appreciate any donations to the REC advocacy.  Please use the Ko-Fi donate link on most REC pages to show your support.  Thank you.

FCC Form Instructions

In the event the FCC systems are down, we are providing copies of the FCC form instruction documents that will help you prepare an application for when electronic filing has been resumed.  Unless specifically instructed by the FCC or Media Bureau staff, never submit a "paper" version of an application in lieu of electronic filing through LMS.

FCC Schedule 318 - Used for Low Power FM applications for construction permits, including modifications of existing stations.

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Databases

For those who use the raw database files from the FCC who need them but can't get them because of an FCC website outage, here are recent versions automatically downloaded by REC as a part of our update process.  (NOTE: These files are only updated here for each shutdown episode.  These files are not regularly updated.)

LMS Broadcast Data (Radio & TV) - From close of business, December 18, 2024.

Antenna Structure Registrations - From ULS, September 1, 2024.

Ship Registrations - From ULS, August 26, 2024.

Coast Station Licenses - From ULS, August 26, 2024.

Private Land Mobile Licenses (including TIS) - From ULS, September 1, 2024.

Broadcast Auxiliary Licenses (RPU) - From ULS, September 1, 2024.

Microwave Licenses (including broadcast STL/ENG) - From ULS,  September 1, 2024.