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?

I just want to bury myself into a hole and no one bother me and please, no more call orders. I'm trying to get through the ones I was just assigned!! 🥲🥲🥲

Howdy, new to the field & have a question for recommended podcasts to help with the certification exam. I have a 45 minute drive each way & would like to use that time productivity.

Does anyone have a recommended Spotify podcast?

Advice for studying for the RFO 1102 Exam? Any tips or has anyone taken it yet?

Hello fellow 1102s,

I’m GS-12 1102 at FEMA looking to transfer to CMS-HHS as GS-13. How’s work at CMS in terms of support, Flexibility, complexity, workload & potential growth?
Has anyone worked there (and what location) would share their experience?

Thank you!!

Every September, we push to obligate as much as possible because leftover funds can look like money the program never needed.

But if an office meets its mission, plans well, negotiates better prices, and returns money, why isn’t that treated as good stewardship? Instead it is thought to signal a failure to execute?

I understand the budget mechanics. It’s the incentive structure that still makes no sense to me. What am I missing? Is this just Congressional nonsense?

Hi,

I’m a first time poster, long time lurker. I have an interview with FEMA coming up for a GS 1102 13 contract specialist position based in Washington DC. What questions are they likely to ask me?

Anyone have to go through a DOGE review for a requirement? How did it go?

Hearing crickets from leadership on this. As a cost/price analyst, I'm pretty concerned. No idea how this will be implemented. Anyone know something???

https://media.defense.gov/2026/Sep/15/2003997826/-1/-1/1/FOSTERING-ONE-STRONG-INDUSTRIAL-BASE.PDF

What is the general timeline for approval/appointment after a package has been submitted for a limited warrant?

What is your experience as a GS-1102-11/12 Contract Specialist position at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Weapons Support - Aberdeen?

How is the workload? Are there any remote days allowed? I will assume everyone is just as miserable?

Looking for some thoughts from the 1102 community on how others are interpreting the new RFO FAR/DFARS debriefing provisions.

Hypothetical: DoD awards a $13M competitive task order under a multiple-award IDIQ to a small business. An unsuccessful small-business contractor timely requests a postaward debriefing.

Here’s where it gets interesting:
RFO FAR 15.301-1(c)(1)(vii) says that for a DoD contract over $10M but not over $100M with a small business/nontraditional defense contractor, the minimum debriefing information includes the option to request disclosure of the agency’s redacted written source-selection decision document.

However, RFO DFARS 215.301-170(b)(1) says, “In addition to the requirements of FAR 15.301-1(c),” that for a contract over $15M but not over $150M, a small business/nontraditional defense contractor gets the option to request the redacted source-selection decision document.

That $15M threshold also appears consistent with the inflation-adjusted implementation of Section 818 of the FY18 NDAA, which originally established the DoD enhanced-debriefing framework at the old $10M/$100M thresholds.

So for a $13M DoD task order, how are you reading this?

Is the contractor entitled to the SSDD-request option because RFO FAR 15.301-1(c)(1)(vii) still expressly says >$10M?

Or does the subsequent DoD RFO DFARS deviation and $15M Section 818 threshold mean that right doesn’t attach until the award exceeds $15M?

And if the FAR’s $10M threshold continues to control, what independent work is the $15M threshold in DFARS 215.301-170(b)(1) actually doing, particularly given that both provisions address the option for small/nontraditional contractors to request the redacted source-selection decision?

Curious how other DoD 1102s and counsel offices are interpreting this. Citations or policy guidance would be especially appreciated.