I’m currently in the crossover phase for a new job and got an email from the recruiter saying
“Today we received word that we have the initial step approved for RFA concurrence to submit your RFA (Request for Access) approved by the COTR.”
What does this actually mean, and how many steps are part of the process? Is this a promising sign that Crossover will happen?
Don’t quote me but I don’t think it would get to that stage unless the crossover were already approved by security. Maybe it varies by agency but I think this is a good sign and if I’m right you should be hearing something within a week. At least we are past the holidays (and snow days) so you won’t have to contend with that.
I stand waiting to be corrected if I’m giving out bad gouge here 
Probably means that the verification process of your clearance, poly, need to know, certifications, sap paperwork (or other), has been deemed acceptable.
You are now probably just waiting for the customer to give the thumbs up and grant you access to the sci/sap/network…