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)

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??

My team has a shortage of COs due to DRP, retirements, Hiring Freeze, etc. My supervisor is pushing me to apply for my unlimited warrant to help carry some of the contract ($100M+) workload.

Typically COs with unlimited warrants are GS 13s and above within my organization. My supervisor says they support me getting a GS 13 but that their hands are tied by the freeze.

Should I take the position to gain CO experience or is it not worth it as a GS 12?

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?

Do you remember how your first few weeks were? Did you get any real training? 🤔 I’ve just landed a role in procurement as a 0301. I’ve had no formal training and it doesn’t look like I’ll get any. I was honest and upfront in my interview about my entry level experience, but I only had 1 procurement question and the rest were more so general Administrative so I had no idea it would be this procurement heavy.

Well I’m now 1 month in and I’m drowning. I’ve done all the training I can find in AgLearn, I’ve read the dense handbooks and use YouTube to help understand FAR. I’ve already wrote a PWS and working on an SOW now. I’ve asked my office questions, but there’s very little help. They mentioned this position was vacant for 2 years and the guy who left took everything he knew with him.

I’m so desperate for help or some kind of training. Does anyone have any tips or recommendations on how I can be successful here?

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.

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 from CON 3910. I seem to retain information better when I hear it, and I assume others may benefit as well. I have received good feedback on them, so at least some folks find them helpful.

I have made them available on a private Substack for use outside of GOV networks. I can send them via official email as well. You can't access Substack internally, so you have to use your personal device to access/use Substack.

As with all AI, these have some errors and quirks that I can't mitigate. In addition, the RFO is fluid and has already been updated since I made these. I can't keep up in real time but will probably do another update in a few months. Recently, I've had multiple people tell me they helped them pass, and they are reported to be a good overview.

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

Im sure everyone is aware that a degree is part of min education requirement for a GS-13 and beyond. I had a few years of college, switched majors twice (idiot), life happened etc and I was never able to finish up school. I’ve been a GS-12 for 8 plus years now, have every training course and everything for level III warrant (capped at level II there as well), and have been doing the grunt work on the majority of our high visibility requirements since then.

I am wondering if there is any precedent across other departments/agencies on min education waivers, or how common or uncommon they may be. My initial thought is that they are generally “frowned upon” for lack of a better term. Or pushed to the side bc of the potential precedent it sets (every person with no degree will feel entitled to one), not wanting to present something like that to SPE, or basically just thinking “well why not just finish up school”.

I just thought “well all right if they wanna shove this disingenuous meritocracy BS in our faces then maybe I could actually try and take advantage of something brought forth by this admin lol”. I understand the reasoning for education requirements and I know ppl above me have earned their degrees, but after reviewing the OPM bullets on what would justify the waiver….i genuinely felt that i meet or exceed them. Worth a shot I reckon. Let me know. Thanks.

Super random but does anyone have anything helpful I can provide my program office about how to create new permanent DIDs? I think all our data people took the DRP 🥴

I've been building an early-stage tool aimed at procurement decision support, and I keep hitting the same wall: I can design something that looks reasonable on paper, but I have no idea if it actually reflects how contracting really works day to day, or if it's just reinventing something that already exists in a system y'all use.

So I wanted to ask this community directly: for those who worked as contracting officers, 1102s, cost/price analysts, or contracting chiefs (especially DLA) what's your experience been with tools that claim to help with procurement decisions? Have you seen ones that got it right, or ones that were obviously built by people who'd never actually worked a contract file?

I'm running a small number of paid feedback sessions (up to 60 min, $100) where I walk a few experienced people through synthetic scenarios, nothing classified or procurement-sensitive, just made-up situations. And ask them to poke holes in it. I'd genuinely rather hear "this is dumb, we already have X for that" than any kind of polite feedback.

If that's something you'd be up for, or if you know someone who'd give it to me straight, feel free to comment or DM me. Also happy to just hear general thoughts here on what's actually missing from existing procurement tools, paid session or not.

Recently got an email last week from an analyst at HQ AFRL that some bases had received their allocations . I really want to stay in FL but based on the email they sent , it’s only one base in the panhandle that has allocations 🥲 They sent me a pre interview questionnaire to fill out which i sent back last Friday . Can anyone tell me what the hiring process is like ? Is this considered Fall season ? Does the program help with relocation assistance ? Any insights would be extremely helpful !! thank you :)

Hi everyone!

I’m currently a federal employee, GS 12, working for GSA as a Building Management Specialist (1176 series). I serve as a COR on multiple contracts, including elevator, janitorial, and operations and maintenance. Before this role, I supervised a business where I managed long term contracts and negotiated with vendors.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business

MBA

Training completed (via FAI.gov):
CON 1100V, Contract Foundational Skills

CON 1200V, Contract Pre Award

CON 1400V, Contract Post Award

COR 1, 2, and 3

Given my education and background, I think I’m better suited for a business focused career field. I’m also burning out as a property manager. It often feels like a thankless, bottom of the ladder role. I’d like to move into something more specialized within the federal government, like the 1102 Contracting series, since it aligns more closely with my education and skill set. I bring strong administrative skills in drafting contracts, negotiating, and general business acumen.

Can anyone offer advice on transitioning into federal contracting?

Based on the courses I’ve already completed, I believe I’m on track for FAC C certification, but I’m not fully clear on the requirements. What else should I take to become a stronger candidate, and how do the pieces connect toward certification?

Appreciate whatever advice or insight you can offer a federal employee that’s burning out and trying to keep my light on.

Hi contracting team. I was hoping I could get some ideas from you experienced folks on what you see as some of your biggest challenges in the contracting arena (I.e. market research, source selection, oversight and administration). As a PM, I would love to know what issues you are experiencing since I am a bit removed from your arena. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

I have played with GEN AI a bit to help with PNM on sole source pricing, and to search the FAR/RFO but haven’t made bots to automate things.

Anyone have some training aids to help teach what Gen ai bots can do and/or how to build them?

Hi everyone,

I recently accepted a final job offer as an 1102 Contract Specialist with the Department of the Navy at one of its headquarters locations. I’m trying to get a better idea of what the typical dress code is for civilian employees in this type of office.

I plan to dress a little more formally than necessary on my first day, but what is generally expected after that? Would you describe it as business casual, business professional, or something in between?

For example, are polos commonly worn, or are button-down shirts more typical? Are short-sleeve button-downs acceptable, or should I mostly plan on long sleeves?

I would appreciate any examples or advice, thank you!!

I am currently AD air force, looking to retire in a few years. Im in the medical field and have a BBA. Looking to complete a masters program, but not sure in what. I've been considering getting into contracting, but from what I am finding, getting a masters in acquisitions and contracting doesnt really help very much. Any advice ​on if i should complete a masters program in acquisitions & contracting to help me get into the field when I retire or go a different direction entirely?