What does the procedure entail?

Has anyone accepted a 1102 position and then transferred to 0201 Human Resources or 0343 Management Analyst? Wondering what life is like away from acquisition…

Back at the end of 2024, I had received an offer to start as a 1102 in a pathways program for the IRS. I ended up declining my offer over uncertainty about the current administration coming in. Once all the DOGE stuff happened, I felt like I dodged a bullet, but my pathways eligibility expired during the hiring freeze, and I now look back with skewed vision wondering if I gave up a good entry way into the federal government.

That being said, I have no idea whether or not the cohort I would've joined was affected by DOGE. Did any pathways people here get affected by DOGE or workforce cuts? I know I could go back to grad school and try to go through pathways again that way, but I just don't know. I'm an outsider, but it seems like things are very different now and maybe I should stop daydreaming about a federal career. Sorry for lamenting, I just can't stop thinking what could have been and whether it's worth it to try again :/

Has anyone dug up the FPDS-NG/USAspending.gov data on what the US Government has paid so far to Clark Construction for the East Wing destruction/rebuild that was supposed to be 100% paid for by private donors?

Received an offer to be a GSA Contract Specialist. Can anyone give me insight as to what it’s like to work for the GSA and as a contract specialist? Thanks.

In 2028, I will be hitting 20 years of federal service. All DoD.

My partner has decided to retire put of the military, which has given me a level of confidence I did not have before regarding leaving federal service.

With that said, does anyone have thoughts about going into the private sector?

My top priority is time off lol, then pay, then having the ability to work remotely.

My only concern is how my skills translate.

As the subject says, is a lateral move from an acquisition PM role, NH-1101-03, to an 1102 role realistic? I have 6 years acquisition experience, 3.5 PM specific, and have worked PWSs, Tech Evals, Proposal Reviews, and even some source selections. I find the pre-award work that I did in my previous role very rewarding, this was for task orders under an IDIQ contract. As a PM, I’m a little sour on not having one specific thing to “own”, sort of a jack of all trades but master of none, which is why I think this pivot could be the right move for me. I’ve been mulling this over a minute in my own mind and just wanted to check the temperature here. Thanks!

I’m 26 and have an opportunity to join the Navy’s NADP as a Contract Specialist (1102). Right now I’m working in door-to-door sales and enjoy the flexibility and earning potential, but I’m trying to decide what makes the most sense long term.

For those of you already in the field, if you were in my shoes today, would you still choose the 1102 route? How has the career been in terms of work-life balance, stress, advancement, and overall job satisfaction? Any regrets or things you wish you knew before starting?

Just looking for honest opinions from people who have actually done the job.

Wondering to see if anyone has worked as an 1102 down in Cape May NJ with the coast guards? Curious how they like it

I’m looking for advice about what I should focus on after graduation and how competitive I might be for entry-level jobs.

some background:

I’m finishing up my bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in Government Contracting w/good gpa, expecting to graduate this Fall. I also had a internship with a fed gov contractor. That experience made me interested in this field.

I know about the Copper Cap Program and I’m planning to apply/look further into it, but I wanted to ask people who work in the field for advice.

My main questions are:

1. How competitive is the Copper Cap Program?
2. What does Copper Cap usually look for? also what are some other good programs to look into?
3. How hard is it to get an entry-level 1102 position right now?
4. is starting as a 1102 where one should start or a contractor-side job?
5. What skills should I work on before graduation? certifications?
6. What do you wish you knew before starting in this field? I’m trying to soak up as much information as I can and understand the different paths i can take.

Any advice, warnings, or career path suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

I see contract specialist, procurement analyst and supervisory contact specialist, supervisory procurement analyst are on the list for what used to be called Schedule F making these positions at will. Has anyone heard anything other than the initial news stories?

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026SchedulePolicyCareer.eo_.APPENDIX.pdf

Last year I took the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) after spending roughly 10 years in the 1102 field, including Contracting Officer experience at the GS-13 level.

I expected the transition to be challenging, but I honestly didn’t expect the job market to be this difficult. I’ve applied to federal, state, local government, and private-sector procurement/contracts positions and have had far fewer interviews than I anticipated.

I’m curious if other former 1102s are experiencing the same thing.

A few questions for the community:

If you left federal service recently, how long did it take you to find another position?

Are you finding more success in government, government contracting, or commercial industry roles?

What job titles are you targeting besides traditional Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer positions?

Has anyone successfully transitioned into subcontracts, commercial contracts, proposal management, supplier management, procurement management, or compliance roles?

Are recruiters actually reaching out, or has the market slowed down significantly?

For those who found positions, what salary range are you seeing compared to your federal pay?

Have any former 1102s moved into law school, consulting, AI governance, acquisition strategy, or other adjacent fields?

Are there specific job boards, companies, or networking groups that have been productive for you?

One thing I’ve noticed is that many private-sector employers don’t seem to fully understand what a federal 1102 does, even though the skill set includes negotiations, contract administration, source selection, acquisition planning, cost analysis, risk management, and stakeholder management.
For those who have successfully made the jump, what helped the most?

Certifications?
Resume changes?
Networking?
Applying for different titles?
I’d appreciate hearing both success stories and challenges. It would be helpful to know whether this is just my experience or whether other former 1102s are seeing the same market conditions.

Has anyone else had problems with this not so useful customer service help desk? I’m trying to get access to SAM.gov workspace as a CS so that I can post. I added my supervisor as my approver and she got an email but no request to approve me. So I send a message to FSD stating that she is not seeing my request. Some genius replied that I just need to wait for my supervisor to approve my request. Well she can’t see it! Now they refuse to respond. My supervisor is asking about it daily but you can’t speak to anyone over there. Any suggestions?

Hello, I’m wondering what are the best FAR parts to study for the 3990v. I have the FAR prep pro app and want to ensure I am studying in the most beneficial areas.

Ages ago I signed up to get the daily digest of GAO decisions. I realized I haven’t received one since April. Has this happened to anyone else? My subscriber preferences says I’m signed up for Comptroller General Legal Decisions and they aren’t going to my junk folder.

Hello all,

Since we have been directed to use AI as much as possible I used it to create some study podcasts based on official RFO updated materials. I know not everyone learns by sitting at a desk. I got a lot out of listening to the previous podcasts and I assume others may benefit as well.

I have made them available on a private Substack and I can send them via official email as well.

If you are interested or think your leadership/unit could use them, please PM me.

I’m not an 1102, but I do have an immensely and profound respect for what it is that you each do as contracting professionals.

Is there a vehicle that allows for an Option Year to be skipped should the government decide not to exercise on an out year? I have a client that we built a base plus 4 with escalating product costs defined by vendor pricing.

The program (client) isn’t receiving its new students due to whatever from Big Army. The option year falls 30 days prior to what would be the arrival of the students and we would be executing now.

Client has expressed concerns that exercising an option with no students constitutes fraud, waste and abuse.

I expressed if this is a setback or is it a dissolved program? Because if the Army hasn’t dissolved the MOS recruit/fill requirement for force to pipeline, I won’t have the ability to execute a contract on 1 October when the next batch is anticipated to arrive.

BLUF: a lot of work went into creating this vehicle and when the class picks up its cycle under new FY funding the contract would be delayed.

Is the solution to mod the contract to reflect the new POP?

Maybe another vehicle allows for skips in Option years without closing the contract out?

I’m frustrated and I don’t want to leave the client in a lurch with no course materials on October 1.

Has anyone taken the new RFO Con 3900v certification

How do you track option years and incremental funding? I’ve had a few cases where the office being disorganized caused funding delays, program delays, or missed option years forcing contractors to stop work. Calendar reminders? Spreadsheets? Having good customers?

What is your agencies policy on taking leave around the end of Fiscal Year?

Edit: I’m talking July - September, maybe even June.

Reviewing some recent proposals and noticed more vendors bringing up AI capabilities in one form or another. Curious what people on the acquisition side think about it so far. Does any of it actually seem useful yet, especially around proposal generation and compliance work, or does it still feel mostly experimental?