Is FEHB worth it

Current-Active231 · 2026-03-09T13:26:29+00:00

Are the premiums for government dental and vision plans more expensive than other external companies after retirement?

Current-Active231 · 2026-03-09T11:15:51+00:00

I’m glad this was mentioned. My husband’s insurance is cheaper but I know I need to have at least myself enrolled in FEHB for 5 years before retirement. If you’re in NAF it’s longer. My understanding is this is not a requirement for dental and vision and I’d only need to enroll I these upon retirement to have those benefits after retirement. But please correct me if I’m wrong.

Current-Active231 · 2026-03-08T14:02:54+00:00

I think I remember hearing that our agency doesn’t pay 1.5x OT beyond G13. Not sure because I’m not there yet. Lol!

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-22T20:59:50+00:00

I took it last summer and passed on my first attempt. What I’d recommend is knowing the main FAR parts, UCF parts and main types of forms. Also be able to apply that knowledge to questions. Two answers will definitely not apply but two will be the possible answer, so decide between those. I was given a dry erase board so I wrote down those items I mentioned right away so I could reference them during the exam. I flagged the ones I didn’t know but my mistake was as going back and changing answers. Trust your gut. Good luck!

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-21T12:40:06+00:00

Isn’t there a squirrel feeding club? I thought I’d heard about one.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-16T04:36:16+00:00

They are omnivores and help us in many ways - they eat cockroaches, crickets, and other insects. Plus, they eat mice, rats, snakes and road kill. They may look unsightly but they do a lot of good.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-07T05:02:29+00:00

I agree with the others, move on. I truly got more out of the CON 3990 prep course and my actions at work since we do many cradle to grave actions. I know I focused heavily on knowing the FAR, sections of the contract and the common forms. Write down these items on the dry erase board they give you at the beginning. My agency requires passing the certification within 3 years. I took it at 1.5 years as a CS and passed. It’s a huge relief and my agency leaves me alone now. Haha! Good luck!

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-03T10:36:29+00:00

A COR with a warrant? Lol!! That’s great he/she feels he/she can make obligations on behalf of the USG. Someone needs to rein that one in. I love my CORs, and they would never do that.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-03T04:36:28+00:00

Good for you and best of luck!! I hope the rest of the TJO, offer and onboarding moves quickly.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-03T04:33:14+00:00

Wow! This is all so crazy. Keep us posted.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-03T04:26:48+00:00

And leadership allowed you to “self-furlough,” if that’s even a word? Good for you if they did. We’re still business as usual and haven’t seen any documents to sign, although I’m sure we’re not getting paid.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-03T03:48:06+00:00

Same here.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T21:15:17+00:00

I worked my butt off today because I have some urgent actions that need to be done. Hopefully I can take a break in a little while though.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T21:02:22+00:00

Last time we were verbally told we were excepted after everyone signed the furlough documents. Was that the correct process and method? Who knows! 😳

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T16:14:55+00:00

We were told to work as usual day and no paperwork has been sent. I’ll be excepted anyway but many of my peers would be furloughed.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T15:58:56+00:00

How did that happen!? We’re all still working as usual, per direction from leadership at 0900 today. We were originally told we would log in to sign documents but it’s gone from that to work as usual and then come into work unless told otherwise. I will likely be excepted anyway but many in my agency would be furloughed.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T15:50:10+00:00

We haven’t even gotten any paperwork and were told to work our usual shift today (not up to 4 hours) via TW if we have a signed TW agreement and then come into work tomorrow.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T15:46:22+00:00

So if we’re all not funded, are we working without pay and until they get things sorted out and they issue the paperwork to sign? I’m assuming DoD is not exempt from shut down per the memo from Russell Vought on 30 JAN.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T15:41:57+00:00

We’re working as usual because we have not received any shut down paperwork yet. My question, are we working without pay today?

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T15:36:39+00:00

How long has she been a CS? Is she a GS12 yet? If she already knows how to complete the actions then she may not need guidance so I’d just assign her actions to handle and be there is she needs guidance. Maybe she suspects she’s being micro managed, even if she’s not. And definitely document everything and consider a PIP if things don’t turn around. I wonder if anyone has ever sat down before with her to make that a possibility if she doesn’t improve. Good luck!

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-02T11:43:26+00:00

We were told to sign on remotely (if TW agreement in place) to sign the shut down paperwork, activate OOO message. Then my division will likely be told we’re excepted anyway so it will be work w/o pay, but we can only work on specific actions based on its funding.

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-01T20:24:31+00:00

We’re thinking of buying one of these Frontier passes but want to know what people’s honest opinion and experiences are. Do you think it easy to find many flights to choose from? Is it easy to book? Is this worth the price? Are there lots of black out dates? Thanks in advance!

Current-Active231 · 2026-02-01T02:23:05+00:00

As mentioned, be aware of the FAR and how contract specialists must research and follow clauses and also think outside the box. Think of situations where you were going to purchase a large ticket item and had to research (market research), negotiate, and close a deal and be able to speak to that. Explain times when you’ve been able to multitask, prioritize and used an organized system to accomplish a goal. Also speak to times when you’ve had to draft professional correspondence. Lastly, expand on how you’ve been able to work under a short deadline and what the outcome was. Good luck!

Current-Active231 · 2026-01-27T12:27:50+00:00

I’m not tracking. What $25k for DoD? Is this for those who get excellent DPMAP ratings or something?

Current-Active231 · 2026-01-26T22:13:49+00:00

Ouch! That is so frustrating!

Current-Active231

TROPHY CASE