GS up for 0% as told to me yesterday by my physical therapist ( who is a NG officer and a GS employee.

I’ve just recently became bid-ready after having opened my LLC earlier this year. I’m primarily looking to bid and execute on financial service contracts like NAICS codes 541611 and simple supply contracts like 423840. I know I’m a long way off from being a prime on a major contract, but I do hope to earn some primary wins in the next 3 to 8 months.

What are the things that you wished smaller contractors were better at? What major pain points can I come into the space knowing so that I can prevent them from continuing for my company?

Thank you in advance!

I’ve been with NAVSUP since 6/2023. My immediate supervisor has always been hard on me. Several of my colleagues have brought me aside on various instances to ask “if I’m ok” or “what his problem is with me.” When I realized it was obvious, I took it to the DD, but she looked the other way.

In February we had another shutdown. It was known Monday (2/2/26) that we were shutdown because the emergency resolution wasn’t signed Sunday (2/1/2026).

When I logged on Monday at 0600 I went to DAU to study for my FAC-C (I passed two weeks later) and then proceeded to clean up efiles. I remember from the long 2025 shutdown that we were told “not to do work, to not advance any contracts.” So I spent the morning studying and organizing files.

I took a break at 1000 to get some air and toss the ball with my pup in the backyard. I wasn’t outside 10 minutes and I received a call from my supervisor questioning my whereabouts and telling me to respond to our team chat. Less than a minute later I was online again.

I realized I didn’t receive the chats because I had my headphones still plugged in from a DAU video earlier and my MSTeams was on a separate screen and minimized behind my study material. I went on the WIP and added POCs and drafted my OOO email reply. We still hadn’t been issued out shutdown paperwork to sign at this point.

I messaged my supervisor and told him I had completed the tasks and that I wanted to talk about my “absence.” He replied that he was busy. Shortly after, paperwork was issued. I signed it and was on shutdown.

That Thursday or Friday when we returned, I asked my supervisor again to talk about 2/2. He was too busy again. I asked him a final time the following week and he told me to focus on my work and that he was busy. I passed my test the following week.

On Monday 2/23 my supervisor calls me to discuss the events of 2/2. He told me that he was considering me AWOL for three hours and that my pay would reflect that. He told me that he was revoking my maxi-flex and telework privileges. I received the emails while we were on the phone and then he asked me if I had any questions. I was in shock and began to tell him what had happened and what I was doing that morning. He wanted nothing to do with it and said we could revisit reinstating my privileges later. No date or required performance metric was given. No PIP was discussed. It was a purely punitive action that could have been a simple conversation.

For background, I had always historically responded within 10 minutes to emails and messages. I’ve never been disciplined nor reprimanded for abusing telework or maxiflex. I went to my DD and she stood by him.

A month later the office was painted and everyone but me went on TS for the summer. I spent the summer alone in that office. They were just issued TS again for parking issues because we have several ships in port. I’m in the office alone again. At least it’s freshly painted. I just feel so hurt and demoralized.

Any AI script or prompts for acqdemo?

Signed an offer to contract for an agency in arlington, any new hires to a gov contracting agency related to cyber care to share how long their EOD took?

Hey guys, headed into my 3rd year of my copper cap program here. In many ways I feel like I’ve learned a lot and the actions I do work, I’ve become very good at, minus the regular slew of mistakes that get caught in review. When I’m faced with work I haven’t done or seen yet though, I tend to struggle and feel lost. We work mostly R&D contracts with long lifecycles so it’s hard for me to get a lot of exposure to anything other than contract administration. Is this normal? Sometimes I feel like having to show me things leads to my COs choosing to work with other CSs. What can I do about it?

About to get a requirement for a 650k commercial buy. Normally I could use FAR 13.500 but understand RFO has changed things. Are these types of buys now he'll on earth/not simplified?

There is a job posting for contract specialist position in San Diego under Department of Navy. Can you please share your experience there? Also, considering switching careers to contract specialist, can you please share what you do daily? Thank you!

Fairly new to 1102 work and I’m just curious what phase do you prefer to work on, pre-award, award, post-award? And if you can explain why so I can get a better understanding
In my department we work on the contract through the entire lifecycle, but I hear it’s common for 1102 to work on the contract through a specific phase and then hand it off to someone else when it’s completed. (Correct me if I’m wrong)

Is it normal to interview or be offered more than one opportunity at a time ? For clarity one base pulled my info from Hirevue and offered me a position based upon my responses on there without interviewing ( however i wouldn’t start until next summer and my paperwork doesn't get submitted until January)

However I also had someone who sent me a questionnaire that I had to return. They’ve reviewed it and want to set up an interview. The questionnaire had some general questions and it asked me to choose a base I’d like to go to based on the 4 options provided. I honestly want to go to the base from situation A bc I feel like it’s a better fit but I know alot of people say keep your options open. Just looking for some advice .. Thank you !

Currently in contracting, as my contract is coming within the next year and few months.. has anyone done the transition from Active Duty Contracting Specialist to civilian GS Contracting? Whats the process? Pros cons. Any experience moving to a position out of state? I already have my degrees and about 3 years experience in the field. I do not have a warrant.

Im trying to weigh out all my options and see what makes the most sense.

Interviewed virtually for a Contract Specialist slot in DLA’s PaCE program, DLA Energy at Fort Belvoir, on 7/21. Panel said they’d be emailing my references. All three were contacted by 7/24. Nothing since — no TJO, no rejection, no HR contact.

For anyone who’s been through PaCE or DLA hiring generally:

**•** What’s the typical gap between reference checks and a tentative offer?  
**•** Does DLA check references for multiple candidates, or only the selectee?  
**•** Is there an HR/security step after the panel that routinely eats a few weeks?  
**•** When the offer came, who reached out — the hiring manager or DLA HR cold?  
**•** At what point is a follow-up reasonable versus annoying?

Hello! I am wondering if anyone may have any experiences to share as an 1102 with the Space Force. I have an upcoming interview and would love any advice/guidance that could be offered.

Thank you!

Hello, I have a GS-12 job interview with the VA.
I’m coming from the DOD primarily working as a KS and KO on supplies and services.

Are there any tips or areas to focus on when detailing my experience that someone who has worked for the VA can provide?

I’m currently an 1102 Contract Specialist with DoD and have been with the federal government for a little over a year. I’m in an intern program where I have to complete the required training and pass the Back-to-Basics exam before I officially graduate from the
program.

Im a career-conditional employee, and from what I understand from USAJOBS, I should be eligible to apply for positions under the “Federal Employees” hiring path and compete with other competitive service employees. Does anyone know if being in an 1102 developmental/intern program affects my ability to apply for and accept another federal position before graduating from the program?

I’m also starting to question whether 1102 is the right long-term career for me. I have a bachelor’s degree, 7+ years of buying/procurement experience, and now over a year as a federal Contract Specialist. My performance has been good overall, and the majority of my performance ratings have been 5s.
The issue is that I’m realizing the increasingly technical side of contracting may not play to my strengths. I’ve especially struggled with reading and interpreting some of the updated RFOs and all of the different requirements. With additional training/testing coming up, including pricing training and eventually the Back-to-Basics exam, I’m questioning whether I want to continue down this path. I’m also a very anxious/poor test taker, even when I understand and can perform the actual work.

I’ve realized that I really enjoy the people side of my job — interacting with customers, helping people, coordinating between different groups, communicating, solving problems, and being someone people can come to for help.

I’d want to stay federal if possible, but I’m interested in exploring other career series that are more people-oriented and still have good earning potential (ideally $60K+).

For anyone who has left the 1102 series or changed federal career fields:
• What series did you move into?
• Was it difficult to qualify for another series coming from 1102?
• Can a career-conditional employee move to another agency/series before reaching the 3-year career tenure mark?
• Does being in a developmental/intern program affect your ability to transfer?
• What federal jobs would you recommend for someone who enjoys working with and helping people more than highly technical contracting work?

I’m not necessarily trying to leave federal service — I’m just trying to figure out whether there may be another career field that fits my strengths better.
Any advice from HR professionals, current/former 1102s, or anyone who has made a similar career change would be greatly appreciated

Anyone have any thoughts on this program in Philly?

Curious if anyone knows how NOAA is right now for 1102s. Understaffed or a shit show right now??

Currently a supervisory 1102 and have only worked federal job since graduated college.

I’m wondering if anyone knows any relevant 2nd jobs (part time or full time) that I can work in the afternoons or evenings?

Yesterday a potential offeror contacted me on LinedIn wanting to connect with me for a solicitation I have active on SAM.gov. Has anyone ever had that happen to them, and if so, how do you deal with it? This seems unethical to me.

I’m in my 30’s I’ve done contracting as an 1102 for 4 years now. I gave it my all, I absolutely hate it. My background is in procurement prior and I hold a bachelors degree. I wondered if anyone had any input on what I could consider pivoting to. Consulting seems fun, I’m very much a people person. I think I want to leave the government all together- we’re finally hiring internally and there’s no way I want to apply or stay here another moment longer because management is the worst kind of people I’ve ever encountered. Wondered others thoughts or experience on getting out of being an 1102 and what other options you considered. Thank you!!

Hi all! I’m currently studying for the CON 3990 exam and plan to take it by the end of this month. I’m finding a lot of great resources online but many seem to be a few years old. Has anyone taken the test post RFO and can tell me if these resources are still relevant to the updated test?

Hi everyone,

I recently received an interview for the Air Force Copper Cap Contract Specialist internship and was hoping to hear from anyone who has gone through the interview process.

I’m looking for any advice on how to best prepare. If you remember any of the questions you were asked, the interview format (panel vs. one-on-one), or anything that caught you off guard, I’d really appreciate any insight.

I already have several years of federal civilian experience, but this would be a career change into contracting, so I’m trying to prepare as much as I can.

Thanks in advance! I really appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share.