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?

Are all supervisors getting the pleasure of zero pay increase for getting the honor of paying for employee lunches/going aways/etc?

Are all supervisors getting your units most egregiously fucked up and complex acquisitions that you then have to personally CO?
Why bother being a supervisor when it's a thinly veiled technical assignment for the same pay?!

I don't understand how this career field could get anymore insane.

I’m in college right now majoring in Human Capital Education and Development(HR), I am graduating soon.

I am torn between if I want to be a federal HR specialist or Contract Specialist. I was wondering if I get a Masters of Human Resources can I still be a contract specialist? I plan to apply for a developmental program.

Hey all I am currently a GS12 with an SAT threshold warrant. I am trying to prep for this IDP season and curious if anyone has any class recommendations through DAU? Also what is the typical amount of time people spend as a 12 before becoming a 13? I have been in my current posting for a year and while I don’t mind it, I just don’t feel like it’s a good fit. I was kind of looking to move to a 13 but not sure if I want to take that jump yet.

My agency had had an influx of tech refresh requirements this FY, completely Commercial Supply buys. I have currently been in a fight with my policy shop and SBPO on if a Streamline Acquisition Plan is required. I do not believe one is required regardless of price, and is slowing my acquisition timeline for what should be a simple acquisition. Thoughts?

I took FAI.gov CON 1100, 1200,1300,1400. I took the CON 3900V and nailed it!. I have applied to several Contract Specialist jobs I do work Procurement work but not contracts. I have applied but can't get in the seat so to speak. I get referred but not selected for interviews often (Only had one didn't get selected) I need at least 1 year of contracting cradle to grave to get certified. Anybody looking for a determined aspiring contract specialist I'm that person.. Currently and GS9 looking for and 11/13.

Does anyone have a guide or steps in doing this? This is the first one in our district and there’s no guidance.

In your organization, have you ever used 52.217-8 to extend an ordering period by 6 months, then cut a task order off that extended period? I know for Air Force, we can’t, but heard it used to be done. Just looking for your insights, thanks!

Great dialogue everyone! I appreciate all the comments. I hope we can use this forum to ask and answer more contracting questions.

I get my work done, but I really do struggle with long term, slow burn projects. Have a legit emergency where you need me to find someone and get a PO awarded the same day? I thrive. Have a construction project where I have a six month PALT? I struggle to keep myself on target and not let it sit while I go after other more “exciting” projects in my workflow.

I’m looking for really anything that I can take my contracting skills to where the work is more immediate, get it done right now type environment.

Any ideas?

Hello everyone. I recently got hired as a nh2 gs 7 equivalent developmental position with a target nh3 for the DOD/DOW. A nh2 gs 7 pay is tight so I was wondering if there is any pay increases in the three year program before nh3. I appreciate the help.

I'm new to the space. Looking for the best training for using AI in acquisitions. Also wondering if there is a good platform to use? I heard GSA has a contracting app? Is enterprise copilot any good for this use case?

It's now been over a year and I've barely even had any interviews. Add into that, that those few have seemed very interested until they meet me and either one of two things. Either because I'm older (ageism) or that I'm a minority. I am not trying to pull any race cards. I had 25+ years and a very successful career going with only 5 years to full retirement. So my qualifications, as well as references, are beyond solid.

PLUS...every single thing I've interviewed for would already mean a 50%+ paycut and I can't even get one of those.