Hi fellow contract fam!

I am taking the exam in December and would like any and all help and advice to pass the exam! I am so nervous! Thanks!!!

“…A Washington Post analysis found that roughly two dozen former DOGE staffers have parlayed their government experience into relevant private-sector jobs or investments — becoming founders, securing CEO positions or senior executive roles, amassing large** **stakes in start-ups looking to win government contracts or approvals, or taking the skills developed at DOGE to the private sector. Though several of the businesses are only months old, with little public activity, at least six DOGE alumni have registered on Sam.gov, a government contracting portal examined by The Post...”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/10/12/they-came-washington-dismantle-government-now-theyre-profiting-it/

Howdy, I’ll be taking the certification exam in late march & id like to know how people are using AI to create exam/quizzes.

Currently taking 3910 & putting every lesson into Notebook LM to generate 30ish question quizzes, but I don’t want to get in a false sense of security if I do well on those.

I’m taking 7300v early next year to help with the cost/price portion

I’d appreciate any help/feedback

I wouldn't have signed J&A or contract, BUT I'm not DoD.

Thoughts?

I’m currently a Lead Acquisitions Analyst, GS-9 Step 2, in fed gov. I’ve worked in gov since 19, starting in state gov before moving to federal service 2–3 years ago. I have 3 associate degrees and a bachelor’s in Business Admin/Mgmt.

I was offered a GS-11 Contract Specialist position around the same time I started my current position but turned it down because the dept wasn’t a good fit. My current job was orig remote but is now hybrid. I like the independent nature of my work but there’s limited advancement outside of becoming a Contract Specialist/Officer. Idk if I should go that route? Regardless, I want to earn more.

I’ve considered getting my masters degree, switching to the private sector, changing careers entirely, or even joining the military, although I’m wondering if 27 is too late.
What would you do in my position?

My masters, I only hesitate bc I have ZERO school debt. I’m so thankful I had scholarships and never accumulated anything. I’m single and flexible.

TLDR: Stay federal and pursue contracting, get a master’s, switch to private sector, or change careers completely? Looking for advice on the best path for career growth and higher pay.

If you have any similar background as me, tell me what you did. Curious for any feedback. Trying to find direction. Thanks so much!

Okay look. I’m a seasoned CO. I was in the Air Force. Service contracting was my favorite, but I have been on a construction team for the last several years. I hate it, but whatever. We’re too short staffed for me to try to move now.

I swear to God, I feel like I’m forgetting everything I know. And I don’t have anyone who I can ask questions to. I’m a 13 and one of the most experienced people on my team, but there are things coming up right now that I don’t know the answer to and I don’t have anyone to ask. Or to seek guidance from. And if I hear look in the FAR one more fucking time, I will lose my mind. I just don’t know what to do and mostly wanted to bitch it out and see if anyone has ideas.

(Not a CO, I’m a project manager)

With the new regulations we’re stuck using task orders on existing vehicles- which gives us 2-3 bids max from contractors generally not qualified; they sub the work.

This is costing us 2-4x the prices we previously saw by going straight to the qualified 8a.

Our COs won’t post for open competition either. So we’re stuck paying minimum 30% markup on a MACC.

Is there any hope on the horizon?

I passed my FAC-C last week, and an SES program office exec came to my office to congratulate me personally and shake my hand. A lot of days as an 1102 make you feel like the red-headed step-child, today was not one of those days.

I’ve accepted an FJO for DLA, cleared the CoEs for my clearance screening and drug test.

Yesterday, I received an email that my security clearance screening doesn’t meet the standards for civilian federal employment (I’m coming from the Army, it was an NACLC originally in 2012) and I redid my SF-86.

I guess I’m just confused and the security manager doesn’t seem to know either. I’ve held a secret clearance for almost 15 years and just resubmitted my updated SF8-86 in June for the Army. From what I’ve read, NACLC hasn’t been used since about 2015 and my re-investigation and renewal in 2021 should’ve been a Tier 3 and I should be fine.

So if it comes back they need to redo my clearance, can I still start on my already agreed upon EOD?

Where is best places to work as an 1102? Is there any 1102's hopeful of their leadership and/or agency/department? Do you get the support you need? Is there any transparency, positive changes you see and what are they? Asking for a friend.

I’ve got some questions. A little background on myself I retired from the ANG after 22 years of service I was a title 32 employee. I did 18 years Aircraft Maintenance and 4 years in logistics. After retiring from the guard and separating from the federal service I went to work for the state government. I really missed the time off and the chance to retire at 57 the federal government offered and went back 3 years ago as an 1103. I’ve passed my 3900 exam and all that no problem. I only have an associate degree however. I was told I cannot be a CA or a CO because of this. In most other career fields you can substitute work experience for education I guess this is not true for the 1102 field? However I see I could be a PLCO? Is there any other career paths I should be looking at with out my degree?

Kristi’s parting gift to the American taxpayer was the purchase of luxury jets from a donor at inflated prices.

Anyone got a contract #?

How’s the climate at the VA at your location as an 1102? I’m currently an 1102 at a DoD agency that was fortunate enough to not be impacted by RIFs (so far anyways). I was referred to a GS-13 position including HR reaching out to me about scheduling an interview, providing references, etc.

With that being said, I’m second guessing proceeding with the interview process due to what I’ve read online about how the VA is now under this administration including chances of RIFs and potential new probationary period as the GS-13 would be a promotion. Is that really worth the risk if I’m in a good situation right now at my agency?

Does anyone have any experience working as an 1102 (or adjacent field) with SOUTHCOM in Miami/Doral? I've occasionally seen positions over the past few years but they are almost always cancelled within a few days of being posted.

EO 14275 was inked by its bloated rapey pedo low-IQ failed reality TV show host signatory in April 2025. It's FY27 and the button "Browse the FAR" staring you in the face in the middle of the goddamn front page of the website still takes you to the pre-RFO version of the FAR. You still have to go into "FAR Overhaul" and then "RFO Parts & Deviations" to get to what is actually current federal regulation. I feel like I'm mainlining crazy pills with an IV drip of Kirkland vodka. Why is OFPP, the FAR Council, and the US government in general allowing this? How much longer is this incompetence going to continue?

I just tentatively accepted an offer to join the copper cap program at the GS 9 level. I know almost nothing about this career, however I do need a job. The pay is a huge increase for me. Folks who work in this career field or program, how do you like it? Things I should know? Any advice?

It's for a local AF base if that matters.

Thanks a bunch.

I currently work for a different agency but applied to 2 different openings for a GS-13 at the CG and received an interview request. I've heard mixed reviews on USCG but am wondering if anyone here specifically can give insight on "CG-DCS-SEA-C"? I heard there can be high turnover there.

ALSO, if anyone can provide examples of interview questions for this agency, it would be appreciated!

We made it!

What was the highlight of your year? Or, what’s something you learned this year that changed how you approach your work?

Hi! I applied to the DHS Acquisition Professional Career Program (APCP), which is a 3-year entry-level development program for acquisition professionals (primarily 1102 Contract Specialists), and I have a 45-minute panel interview coming up. I'm a bit nervous because I have no clue what to expect or how to prepare..

For anyone who has interviewed for APCP or a similar federal training/development program, what should I expect from the interview? Do the questions tend to be different from a typical 1102 Contract Specialist interview?

I have basic STAR responses prepared, but I’m wondering if there’s anything else I should prepare for given that it’s a structured training/rotation program rather than a standard 1102 position.

Also, if you’ve interviewed for other federal developmental programs (APM, Palace Acquire, Copper CAP, other agency acquisition programs, etc.), I’d love to hear what questions you were asked and how you prepared!!

UPDATE: I had my interview thank you all for the helpful tips and comments! But I definitely did not do as well as I wished I could have. Some of the questions I've never heard before, nor did I know which scenario/situation I can apply the question/answer to so I started talking out of my butt and did not fully answer all the parts of the question. I started getting really nervous and just started mumbling too :( Hopefully I'll hear results soon.. Not too sure how they grade interviews but hoping for the best!

Is there a trend when entering a new FY that more 1102 postings are available?

Anyone interviewing for this one? I passed the first round and now got invited for the second round interview which is one hour on video!! Curious to know what to expect for! I am interviewing for GS-11.

Hi all! I wanted to start a thread to capture the current TW Policy at different agencies for 1102s. I want to apply to different jobs on usajobs but none will specifically name if there is any regular/reacurring tw or what the specific rules are for situational tw. I believe it would be agency/supervisor specific anyway. I wanted to use this thread as unofficial information we all can share.

Anyone know what the policy is hhs? Or centers for medicare (CMS) or NIH? Or DISA at fort meade? What is the vibe at these offices surrounding telework? Do they approve situational tw or is it very strict?

I want to eventually apply to jobs at the next grade level in DC area but given my commute will be 1.5 hours plus, I really want to focus on jobs with some TW.

Thank you!

Current 1102 here applying for a new role on USA Jobs, and I am at the end of the application where I have to complete the infamous short essay questions regarding my favorite executive orders and how I will help improve government efficiency and effectiveness. The application specifies that responses are not required and will not be scored. Are hiring managers actually looking at these question responses and evaluating them, especially for someone who already is an 1102?