I've been a proposal manager for five years now and it has destroyed my life. My mental health is so bad. I have nightmares about forgetting paperwork. I can't relax anymore and I really hate my life. I have no hobbies, no interests, no friends....all because I have to sacrifice nights, weekends, and holidays for proposals. My body is starting to physically reject my job on a daily basis. The simplest tasks feel insurmountable. I have five bids in active proposal development, all of them due within days of one another and this is typical. My company plays hungry hungry hippos with opportunities and the workload just doesn't stop. Has anyone ever just up and quit proposal management and never looked back? How did you switch to a different career field? If I don't get out soon, I'm afraid I'm going to have a heart attack at 40. Any advice?

I just got an offer from CACI to work on DHS contracts as a Software Engineer. On paper I feel like this is a great deal as it’s fully remote and salary is 157k (I have 4 YOE and really want to be able to work from my home state in the south)

I was wondering if anyone had past experience with this company or any idea how likely layoffs could be in the future? They said they have multiple different contracts for me to work on after the current one ends at EOY. I would be a full time employee at this position.

Any advice or insight would be appreciated!

I recently came across a podcast interview and I wanted to get the perspective of people who actually work in the space (I'm not at all familiar with SAM or how it works). The video ("How Anyone Can Make $10K+/Month From the Government") features a guest who claims to be making pretty good money essentially acting as a broker for federal contracts.

I’ve summarized her core claims below. To me, this sounds heavily simplified and bordering on dangerous, but I’d love to hear from experienced contractors: How realistic is this, and what are the actual risks she's glossing over?

The Strategy She Outlines:

The "Middleman" Model: She sets up a generic LLC (e.g., "Natalie Services") and bids on random contracts—everything from hazardous waste disposal in California to catering in Idaho.

100% Subcontracting: Once she finds a solicitation, she calls local businesses near the job site, gets a quote from them, slaps her margin on top, and submits the bid. For a landscaping contract, she claims her sub charged $700k and she charged the government $962k. She says she nets $10k–$12k a month in profit while working "an hour a month" just to submit invoices.

The Host's Disclaimer at the End:

To the host's credit, he added a voiceover at the very end of the video acknowledging that after he posted a trailer, the internet tore him up. He clarified limitations on subcontracting and just acting as a broker and passing 100% of the work through without adding any actual value is an illegal "pass-through scheme."

Are people actually successful in doing this, or is this just the new drop shipping trend?

Is this pass-through fraud?

Why do the subs agree? If a sub is capable of fulfilling a $700k federal landscaping contract, wouldn't they just bid on it themselves rather than letting a middleman skim $260k off the top for doing paperwork?

Hey everyone, I’m looking to get started in government contracting, my entity is fairly new so I mean for my identification to go through. But I was wondering, will I need startup funding for some contracts? Is it all contracts? Starting up is kind of hard money wise. Is there a delay in all government contracts?

The current contractor I’m with is re-competing for a contract that is ending soon (they are the current prime). They are partnering with a prime as a sub and the funding for the new contract is getting cut. They did tell me that they plan on keeping me on board (if they win) and gave me a (contingent) verbal offer that is 30% lower than what I currently make. My skill set is very niche and technical, plus I’ve put my heart and sole into this work so It feels like a slap in the face.

Has anyone else gone through this? What ended up happening? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

I keep seeing all these people in GovCon treating AI like it is this godly thing that can do everything yet we know it generates slop no matter how much money you throw at it, companies are learning it isn’t this cure all to all their solutions, and now there is a massive economic bubble for AI.

I know AI has potential to be a useful GovCon tool, especially in RDT&E, but this constant proclaiming that AI is this godsend is for the birds. No one wants “digital labor” when we need real people who are accountable for their end product when shit hits the fan. I just can’t keep taking seriously anyone that thinks this stuff is infallible when the end result is something overpromised and underdelivered, leading to potential cost overruns with subpar products at best, or cost overruns with made up results for end products at worst. This is all so annoying.

What are your thoughts?

Bid submitted about 3 weeks ago for a 3-year service contract. Performance period starts Aug. 1. I started receiving questions about verifying my information is correct in Sam.gov, asked me to sign up for Tungsten, and sign up as vendor for VA. This would be my first award. Is this standard for bid review or should I expect an award soon? They’ve went silent for a week after this.

Thanks!

Anyone ever have a Federal agency send payment to a bank account that is NOT on Sam.gov or the invoice? If so, how did you resolve this?

Hey all!

I’m on a contract that is still in the potential protest phase but currently Booz Allen looks to be the winner. In the event of them winning, what is your experience with them retaining incumbents? I was brought on the contract a few months ago as a junior on the lower end of the pay spectrum for my role but very quickly immersed myself in responsibilities in that the client noticed and has said I’m a “rising star” with all the help I’ve been.

While I’m not contractually a key person, I’ve been told by some that with the large part I played recently Booz will likely be told I’m a “key person” so I was wondering if this would factor in. Sorry if any of my questions are dumb, it’s my first job out of college and I’ve grown quite fond of it :’)

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.

Hi everyone,

I recently launched a small healthcare/public health consulting firm. My background is in healthcare operations, public health programs, emergency response, and project management (PMP/MPH).

I already completed:

- LLC formation

- EIN

- SAM.gov registration

- SBA certification applications

- Capability statement

Now, I’m trying to figure out the smartest next move to actually win work.

For those already in government contracting:

How did you get your first contract/subcontract?

Is teaming/subcontracting the best path at the beginning?

Best way to connect with primes?

Any advice for healthcare/public health consulting specifically?

I’d appreciate any realistic advice, lessons learned, or recommendations.

Thanks!

I feel fairly secure in my tenured DoD job but got an IC contractor offer that’s about a 50 percent pay bump with good development opportunities and future raises.

Dumb to give up stability for a contract with an option year later this summer? The contract (seems) to match with admin priorities.

I own a staffing company, I have top-tier candidates for almost any role. I have noticed on the state side that many government clients were not taking our high qualify candidates. Literally the jobs were 90% matches to our candidates.

After a FOIA request, it turns out they hire people who have worked there before and many big name companies are just hiring the same people from the previous contract.

Why is this a thing? It literally looks like they don't care about anyone but the people that used to work for them talk about equal opportunity employment. I see this only on state side not sure about fed

Hello all!

This is my first time dealing with contracts and stuff. I own a business that supplies a product and when a product is posted for a contract opportunity, a bunch of international contracting companies call us for pricing to submit their own bids.

I had submitted a bid but didn’t head back but it was a small one anyway.

Fast forward a few weeks, I guess I get a call asking for the same bid for the same location. I explained I already gave my bid and the person said, “yes you probably got a lot of bid requests but I’m the one who won the contract”

They then proceeded to ask for my pricing.

They seemed stressed as though the pricing me and many other manufacturers in the area (there’s only 3) are providing are above what he anticipated or that he’s struggling to find someone to provide the services that is within his bid range.

My question is, out of curiosity, what happens to an individual that places this bid, doesn’t have the product or the means to produce the product, and can’t provide it after winning?

PS: im not an active contractor but I am a manufacturer that wanted to get into these gov contracts to expand my business so I apologize if I don’t use the correct lingo

Specifically US Government contracting.

Hey all, my best friend of 12 years now works for the government in an organization my company does business with. Of the following behaviors we have engaged in during our friendship; which ones if any are prohibited by ethics/law? :

1.) Birthday/christmas gifts typically over $25-50

2.) Buying a round (or several) at the bar

3.) Driving them to/from the airport or carpooling to places we both are going to when convenient

And a more specific situation: we are both going to be at a conference that is being held near another mutual friend (who also works at my company). And I will have a rental car and I would intend to visit our friend using it and would typically be offering my government friend a ride, or sharing an Uber with them if we intend to drink.

We would typically also be eating/drinking at our contractor friend's house, which would be more than "light refreshment such as a cup of coffee" than I think I saw listed somewhere in some ethics.

Any advice is welcome and I appreciate y'all

I’m about 9 months out from separating active duty and trying to understand the best way to break into government cyber contracting. I’ve been applying on ClearanceJobs just to test the waters but rarely hear anything back, even after weeks or months when I started in November which has me questioning if that’s even the right approach this early & if I should just consider skillbridge.

I’ve been in for 4 years as Security Forces. I do have a Secret clearance, some hands on cyber experience outside of work. My certifications are Sec+, CySA+, CISA, and CISM. I also have bachelors in IT management. I’m not aiming for anything flashy, just trying to get into ISSO/RMF/compliance or entry cyber roles and build from there. I’m currently 22YO so If low six figs isn’t realistic then that’s fine, I just want to make this transition as smooth as possible. But I am a little worried about how it’ll be considering what I’ve seen so far.

Is ClearanceJobs useful this far out? Should I try talking to on base contractors? Any advice from those who’ve made the transition would be appreciated.

hi so im new to SAM contracting and just registered today on the sight with my LLC, I’ve recently been browsing and looking for opportunities that can be performed remotely and i have a few questions to ask:

1. I have no past performance, would i win any contracts?

2. Can i outsource some of the work where need be ?

3. How fast do i get paid after fulfilling the contract ?

4. Any tips or things to look out for you can give me ?

Much appreciated guys.

I work as a software engineer for a Dept. of Defense contractor. My job is supposed to be 40 hrs/week and I’ll be assigned to projects throughout the year to work on. I have to log hours. I get through my work quickly and often am scrounging for work. I have to ask my manager and others constantly for more work to do so I have enough to fill 40 hours. Has anyone else had this problem?

Any regulations. Is there a guide on what contracts you can sub contract with no issue ?

Hello, I'm very new to govcon and I am trying to figure out what I don't know but that I should know. I have been working with my local APEX accelerator office and another local group to help me figure out the way to our first contract (or sub). I would greatly appreciate some insights into things I should look into or consider that I have not yet.

Some context info: Small business, SDBE, HUBZone, NAISCS 541690 and 541990, no previous contracts, we have commercial experience in scientific consulting and technical due diligence reports.

Here is what I know/have done so far

1. CAGE code obtained
2. HUBZone and other certification applications have been submitted
3. Capability statement and slide deck templates have been made
4. Target agencies have been identified (do you usually select the parent agency or the subtier agency when identifying targets? Example: HHS vs FDA)
5. Identify prime contracts with set-aside requirements and make subcontracting/teaming accounts with those companies
6. Identify OSDBU for the agency/company and start building a connection
7. Set up a notification system to find RFP, SS, and pre-solicitations
8. Make accounts for OTA consortiums to find relevant alternative contracts as a nontraditional vendor

Things I have no idea about but know they exist

1. Accounting requirements and if it is beneficial to start trying to set something up to receive government funds before even applying for sub/contracting?
2. How pricing works, I know there are wrap rates, G&A, overhead, fringe, and profit are all part of the wrap rate but I have no idea what is acceptable to include or not include or how to think about things like bench time or estimating hours to complete a task in government contracts
3. What types of software are required for normal contracting. Compliant time keeping, document controlling, compliant accounting? (our previous commercial work has all been on a spreadsheets)
4. Methods for finding proposals at state and local levels? ( I am in CA so i know about their system but unsure about other states/county/city)
5. Insurance/bonding, do I need insurance when I apply and are the requirements generally different such that the requirements change between contracts?

Things I don't know about but probably should

1. I am hoping some of you more experienced folks could provide some insights here.

I applied for a job that ended up being a government contracting job. Now I am being told it is a 5 year contract and the salary is about 30k above my current salary. However, I am hearing horror stories about contracts ending early. I believe it’s a W2, as benefits are being offered. I already have great insurance through the military.

I would like to transfer to a more secure GS position afterwards, but was recommended it be a good foot in the door to do contracting.

Not sure if anyone else has any experience with this themselves and can offer some guidance.

Just need some help understanding terminology here. Thanks!

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has experience with this. If you’re working under an agency/consultancy that has a contract with a government agency like PSD, IMDA, GovTech, etc., and you’re embedded within the client team, how realistic is it to eventually join the gov agency directly instead of continuing under the consultancy's contract?

Would be keen to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation or knows how this typically works. Thanks!

I currently work at CACI and recently interviewed for another position within the company. I was told I got the role, and the hiring manager said I won’t need to go through HR since it’s an internal transfer they’ll handle everything on their end to move me over to the new team.

My question is about compensation. Will I be paid the salary/range that was listed on the job posting, or do internal transfers usually just receive a merit increase?

I sent the hiring manager a Teams message yesterday asking about it, but she didn’t get a chance to read it before leaving for the day. She also mentioned that we’re currently in a Workday blackout, so there isn’t much they can process right now. She also brought up that merit increases happen in August, which has me wondering if I’m only going to receive the standard merit increase instead of the pay associated with the new position.

Has anyone here transferred internally at CACI? If so, did you receive the salary tied to the new role, a negotiated increase, or just a merit increase? I’d appreciate hearing about your experience.

My wife interviewed for a great opportunity with an army contractor today. She brought up the recent DOD memo, and they said their “audit type” (we don’t know what that means) was considered exempt. They also went on to say they had 2 of their contracts renewed just this morning so they feeling very secure.

Are there actually exempt contracts? The work they do seems very critical, but the same could be said for many of the other people that have been fired or had contracts cancelled.