Will there be a shut-down?  How about a new CR into the 2018 calendar year?  Is my customer agency getting a new political?  It’s easy to get distracted right now with so many unanswered questions, but the fact remains that the government is open for business and that things are getting done.  Lose sight of that and your firm could be behind the business development 8 ball at the start of the FY.  While government acquisition may not be up to 100% because of the factors above – and others – contractors need to dial down news on what’s going wrong and take the tried and true actions they know will lead to business, whether now or when the weather again turns warm.  Relationship development is just one area that can worked on.  Establish or deepen relationships at key agencies, but also among key private sector partners.  Communicate early and often, too, with each group.  Pay attention to RFI’s and other business developments, there are plenty out there in many industry segments.  Yes indeed, the FY’18 federal business road may become rockier as fall turns to winter.  Allen Federal will be here to tell you what happens and when.  In the meantime, turn off the news and focus on your business.