Talked with someone at HQ about the bids. Here's the scoop-
Agency is having difficulty filling vacancies at certain locations. Agency wants to be able to interview and "offer" positions as soon as they become available. Applicants need not "accept" a job offer to a location that they do not desire (no harm, no foul). If there are no "desired" locations currently available, you will go back "swimming" in the pool. The reason this was changed is because the "list" of applicants was "empty" at several locations. There may have been several hundred apps on file but nobody chose certain locations that had openings. Thus the "list" was pulled and had no names on it at those locations. The Agency is merely trying to fill vacancies with the broader pool of applicants. Nobody will be "forced" to accept a location they don't want... Hope this helps!
My advice- Get your foot in the door and then transfer asap to where you want to go. Also keep in mind there are lots of remotely sited positions available. My boss is located several states away and I telework a lot now. Agency realizes that not everyone wants to move to places like DC. Just like with the airlines, seniority means alot in Gubment.