Attach 13_E-QIP Instructions and Forms.pdf

READ THIS BEFORE COMPLETING THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

FORMS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKET

Office of Professional Responsibility

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 24000 Avila Road, Room 5260 Laguna Niguel CA 92677

Dear Applicant:

The U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used the Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP), in lieu of paper versions of the SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions and SF-85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions. The e-QIP System is a web-based automated system that allows applicants to electronically enter, update, and transmit their personal investigative data over a secure Internet connection to the ICE Personnel Security Unit.

We request that you go to the following OPM-IS website: www.opm.gov/e-qip to enter the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) Gateway. Please note that e-QIP is not compatible with MacIntosh computers. Also, it is recommended you download Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 to avoid printing problems. Once you have entered the e-QIP website, please read the “Quick Reference Guide for the Applicant,”prior to proceeding further. Once you finish reading the quick reference guide, go to the e-QIP Applicant Site and follow the prompts.

The prompts will ask you to answer the following three (3) default Golden Questions:

1) What is your LAST name?

2) In what four-digit YEAR were you born?

3) In what CITY were you born? Enter “Unknown” as the answer to the question “In what city were you born”.

NOTE: If you previously completed the e-QIP version of the SF-86 or SF-85P, you will be prompted to answer the Golden Questions that you previously selected. If you do not remember the answers to these questions, you must contact the ICE Personnel Security Unit (ICE PSU) to have your Golden Questions reset. The ICE-PSU may be contacted via email or phone (ICE-Personnel- Security@dhs.gov / 866-731-5039). It is strongly recommended that you change your golden questions and answers to combinations that only you know.

Note: National Security Directive 63 requires ten (10) years of information for the following questions on the Standard Form (SF) 86, “Questionnaire for National Security Positions.”

9. Where You Have Lived

10. Where You Went To School

11. Your Employment Activities

22. Your Employment Record

23. Your Police Record

24. Public Record Civil Court Action

HSCEDM-11-R-00002

ATTACHMENT 13

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Once you have completed the electronic SF-86 or SF-85P, you will need to verify the information by clicking the “Certify” button. This step certifies that you have provided correct and accurate information. After you have certified the information, you will be able to print a copy. You are required to provide 2 sets of the completed electronic form to the ICE PSU. We recommend you print a copy to retain for your own records. You MUST print, sign, and date the Signature Form, Authorization for Release of Information, and Authorization for Release of Medical Information. If you do not provide 2 complete sets, including the signature and release forms, to the ICE PSU, your package will be rejected and you will have to reenter the information online and resubmit. In addition to completing the electronic SF-86 or SF-85P, you MUST complete and submit the following:

DHS 11000-9 Credit Disclosure

Foreign National Relative and Associate Statement Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment

FD 258 Fingerprint Charts (2)

Your background investigation cannot be initiated without all required forms to include the fingerprint charts. You must be fingerprinted by an authorized fingerprinting official using the required fingerprint charts. If you are located in the Washington, D.C. area, you may be fingerprinted in the Fingerprint & ID Unit at the Chester A. Arthur Building (CAB), 425 I Street, NW, Monday through Friday between 8AM and 3PM. No appointment is necessary. The required fingerprint charts, included in your package, are also available at the CAB. Some local police departments also provide fingerprinting services.

Please complete the electronic form within 5 days. Complete packages must be received in this office within 10 days of completing the electronic SF-86 or SF-85P. After completing all required forms (electronic and paper) to include the fingerprint charts, coordinate submission of the complete package with your contract company and your responsible ICE Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (COTR/COR). If you fail to go online and/or fail to submit a complete package in a timely manner, ICE may discontinue processing without further notice. You will then need to coordinate with your Contract Company and COTR/COR regarding the possibility of further consideration.

Congratulations on your selection! We are looking forward to you becoming a productive member of the ICE Team.

Theresa Creagh Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist Personnel Security Unit

HSCEDM-11-R-00002

ATTACHMENT 13

Version 1.07 e-QIP Checklist

Please complete each step below before submitting your e-QIP forms!

Setup Steps Helpful Hints/Actions IBM Compatible Computer MacIntosh is not compatible Need Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Download at www.adobe.com Enable Web Browser & TLS 1.0 Refer to e-QIP Quick Reference Guide

STEP 1 - e-QIP Navigation

Log on to www.opm.gov/e-qip.

o Click on Enter e-QIP applicant site o A “browser checker” will test your computer’s compatibility.

o You will be prompted to change the TLS settings, if necessary.

o If you are ready to proceed, click "Continue."

Enter your social security number and click “submit”.

Single click on box that states: “Allow me to see my Golden Answers as I type them.”

o If you change your Golden Questions, make sure that you can remember the answers to those questions.

Enter golden questions: Answer golden questions:

o In what city were you born? *Enter: Unknown o What is your last name? Make sure first letter is Capitalized o In what year were you born? Enter: Four-digit year: _ _ _ _

*If you tried entering unknown and you get an error message, then enter in your actual city of birth.

If you do not remember the answers to these questions, you must contact our office to have your Golden Questions reset.

If you previously completed the e-QIP version of the SF-86 form, you will be prompted to answer the Golden Questions that you selected previously.

STEP 2 - Data Entry Enter data and save o If you receive errors or warnings, check for the following:

- Look for gaps and/or missing information, and then make additions or corrections.

- Other problems – see Quick Reference Guide

STEP 3 - Validate, Review & Certify Validate and review o Use navigation pull-down menu and select validate, review and certify.

o Correct all errors at this point (if any).

o Select GO.

Certify o Single click “Certify Investigation Request” button.

STEP 4 - Certify My Answers are True Certify My Answers are True o Go to navigation menu, select “Certify That My Answers Are True” o Click GO. (This locks your answers)

STEP 5 - Display & Print Step One: Display archival copy Step Two: Print 3 sets of the archival copy Step Three: Display the signature forms Step Four: Print 3 copies of the signature forms, then sign and date the forms

STEP 6 - Release to Agency Click button to “Release Request/Transmit to Agency”

You will not be able to access e-QIP after this point, and your golden questions will change to invalid questions.

STEP 7 - Send Forms to Agency Send required number of copies (review letter for number of copies you need to submit) of your e-QIP archival Copy and signature forms (signed and dated) with your other pre-employment forms to the Office of Professional Responsibility, Personnel Security Unit, Laguna Niguel CA .

For technical support: Refer to the e-QIP Quick Reference Guide first, then for computer technical problems only, call the OPM Help Line: 1-866-631-3019.

ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRES FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROCESSING

e-QIP

Version 1.07

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE FOR THE APPLICANT

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility

Personnel Security Unit

Questions? Please contact:

Department of Homeland Security U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement

1-866-731-5039 E-mail: ICE-Personnel-Security@dhs.gov

Web Browser Requirements

If using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), you must have version 5.5 or later, with Service Pack 2. Internet Options for IE should be set as follows:

Enable JavaScript Enable Cookies Enable Scripting Enable TLS 1.0 (this option is disabled by default.).

To enable TLS 1.0 in IE, on the top menu:

Select TOOLS Select INTERNET OPTIONS Select the tab labeled ADVANCED Scroll down to the section labeled SECURITY Check the box to enable TLS 1.0 Click the OK button to save

If using AOL, open a separate window in IE (outside AOL) and set TLS 1.0 following the instructions above; or directly within AOL, go to the top menu in AOL, then:

Select SAFETY Select SETTINGS Select INTERNET PROPERTIES Under RELATED SETTINGS, select INTERNET EXPLORER SETTINGS, then the ADVANCED tab Scroll down to SECURITY Check TLS 1.0 Click the APPLY and OK buttons Click SAVE in the AOL Browser Settings box

If you are using Mozilla, you must have at least version 0.9.4. Although security settings may already be defaulted to the proper values, you should verify so by following this process:

Select EDIT Select PREFERENCES Select PRIVACY AND SECURITY Select SSL Under SSL Protocol Versions, enable SSL VERSION 2, SSL VERSION 3, and TLS

Mozilla users must also verify that they are enabled to use cookies. To do so, go to your browser’s toolbar and verify in the following order:

Select EDIT Select PREFERNCES Select PRIVACY AND SECURITY Select COOKIES Ensure that either ENABLE COOKIES FOR THE ORIGINATING WEBSITE ONLY or ENABLE ALL

COOKIES is checked e-QIP is also compatible with Netscape Navigator, version 6.1 or later. If you are using JAWS screen-reading software, please note that JAWS requires the use of Internet Explorer, version 5.5 or later.

Getting Started

1. Start your internet browser and enter the following URL website address: www.opm.gov/e-qip/

2. The e-QIP Gateway Page will appear. Scroll down and click the link labeled e-QIP APPLICANT SITE.

3. A “browser checker” utility will automatically run and test your computer for e-QIP compatibility. Click the CONTINUE button to proceed to the application. (If after doing so you receive the error message “Page Cannot Be Displayed,” please follow the previous instructions to enable TLS 1.0.)

4. A Security Alert box will appear, asking “Do you want to proceed?” Click the YES button with the mouse, or type <CTRL Y> to continue.

5. The e-QIP Welcome Screen will appear. Enter your Social Security Number in the text entry boxes, and click the SUBMIT button to logon to the e-QIP applicant site.

6. Answer the three (3) default Golden Questions and then you may create new Golden Questions and Answers on the next page (please see the applicable section inside this brochure for further information).

7. Click the highlighted link that says: Enter Your Data.

8. Complete the SF-86 questions and save as instructed. Validation of your data will occur after every screen save.

9. Be sure to CERTIFY/SUBMIT your form when your form is complete.

10. Print out the release forms and certification for your signature. These signature forms need to be returned to your hiring agency. You may also print out an archival copy for your own records. (If you are having difficulty opening the forms to print, right click on the link, choose SAVE AS, and then save the file on your computer. Open up the Adobe Acrobat reader program separately in its own window (not through Internet Explorer), and then open the file you saved in order to print it out.

Choosing Your Golden Questions/Answers

It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to provide and remember Golden Questions unique to you. Golden Questions enable e-QIP to verify your identity. Create a combination of Golden Questions that only you can know the correct answers to in order to assure that no one can attempt to impersonate you on the e-QIP system. Please carefully consider who else may possibly know the answer to each possible Golden Question you enter. Please remember that it may be 5 years before you return to the e-QIP system for a future reinvestigation.

Entering Your Golden Questions/Answers

After you have selected your set of Golden Questions/Answers, enter each Question under a “Question” header and enter the corresponding Answer under the "Answer" block directly under that question. You must provide a non-blank answer for each question you provide, and vice versa. You must provide three Golden Questions.

It is your responsibility to protect the answers to your Golden Questions. Golden Answers are your “password” to the e-QIP system. The text entry fields for Golden Answers are not password protected to allow for more accurate entry of your answers. Asterisks automatically mask Golden Answers, but if you choose, you can view your answers while typing them by clicking the ALLOW ME TO SEE MY GOLDEN ANSWERS checkbox. Do not allow someone to see your computer screen while your answers are on the screen. If someone acquires your answers, they will be able to logon to the e-QIP system under your identity, allowing them to access your personal data.

Entering Your Data

First Time Data Entry: Prior to entering data for the first time, read the instructions on the “Form Completion Instructions” screen. Indicate that you have read and understand the document by clicking the corresponding button.

You will then be shown a disclaimer screen that provides additional instructions required by Executive Order 12968.

You will need to indicate that you have read and understand the additional instructions by clicking the corresponding button.

Question Navigation: You may use the Navigation pull-down menu to go to any question, in any order by selecting the item and clicking GO. The navigation menu is located in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Errors and Warnings: After clicking SAVE, if the system displays the same screen with "Validation Results" listed at the top, you must correct the data you have just entered. You will only get validation messages if you have not answered a question appropriately.

For validation "Error" messages, you may correct your data by scrolling to the appropriate field and editing. After making corrections, click the SAVE button at the bottom of this page to save your changes.

For validation “Warning” messages, you may either provide the requested information or click the EXPLAIN button next to the message to explain why the information cannot be supplied. Upon clicking EXPLAIN you may provide an explanation in the text field or check the box labeled I DO NOT KNOW THE REQUESTED INFORMATION.

After choosing an action, click the SAVE button to save your changes.

For validation "Error" and "Warning" messages, you may also choose to click the SAVE/CONTINUE button. If you click SAVE/CONTINUE, you may advance to the next question screen and correct the information at a later time prior to the final submission of your form. If you make a mistake and want to start over on a given screen, click on the RESET THIS SCREEN button at any time prior to clicking the SAVE button. When you are finished and ready to proceed, click the SAVE button. Upon clicking SAVE, your information will be submitted and you will proceed to the next screen.

Displaying Your Data

When you are ready to display and/or print your SF-86 information that has been entered into e-QIP, select the “Display” command from the top banner (located in the upper left-hand corner). By selecting “Display”, a new browser window will appear using Adobe Acrobat Reader. This window will generate a .PDF file which will display on the screen all the data that has been entered up to that point. If desired, you can print the displayed data by first selecting FILE, and then PRINT from the new browser window. You can also save a copy of the displayed data to your own floppy disk. To do so, click on the floppy disk icon to save the file. If you are having difficulty printing your forms, please see the instructions outlined in the “Getting Started” section of this brochure.

Validating Your Data

Although the e-QIP system will automatically validate your data after every screen save, you may also do a manual validation. To do so, go to the navigation pull-down menu and select VALIDATE, REVIEW, AND CERTIFY, then select GO to the right of the pull-down menu, and the system will take you to that screen. The validation results may show errors that need to be corrected. Read the validation results and the associated errors. To correct your answers, use the navigation pull-down menu to go to the question that needs to be edited, make the necessary changes, and click the SAVE button.

Listing Expected Attachments

You should create a list of attachments that you expect to provide to your employing agency. Everyone will have a standard set of attachments such as the SF-86 General Release form, resume, OF 306, etc. There may be additional attachments depending on what position you are applying for. Ask your agency if you are not sure what attachments you are required to provide.

To create your list of expected attachments, go to the navigation pull-down menu and select EXPECTED ATTACHMENTS. Then select GO to the right of the pull-down menu, and the system will take you to that screen.

(You will be shown this automatically if you complete your SF-86 form in sequence. If you choose to skip from question to question, you will need to select this command manually.)

This screen allows you to create, delete, and/or edit a list of expected attachments that you will send with your request. Please write your Social Security Number on every piece of paper that you plan to give to your employing agency. You may either mail, drop off, or fax your attachments to your agency, along with your signature forms.

Certifying Your Data

When you have completed all the questions on the SF-86 and are ready to submit, select the CERTIFY THAT MY ANSWERS ARE TRUE command from the navigation menu at the top of the screen and click on GO. Ensure that you have completely entered your data, validated your data for errors, and reviewed your data for correctness.

Follow the instructions on the “Certify” screen.

Certify that the answers you provided on the questionnaire are correct and accurate. After certification, your answers to the questionnaire will be locked and unavailable for editing. Select DISPLAY in the upper-left hand corner of the screen to generate a .PDF printable copy of your SF-86 data, release forms, and certification statement.

Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat in order to view a .PDF file; this free software download is available at:

www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

You are required to print the release form(s) and the certification statement. If you do not have a printer, you should consult your agency and ask for assistance. After printing, please sign them (preferably in black ink) and return the originals to your agency.

After you have successfully certified your form and released it to your agency, you cannot change your data.

However, the next time you need access to e-QIP, such as for a future reinvestigation, most of your data will repopulate the e-QIP form, eliminating the need to reenter all of your data.

ADDENDUM TO REVISED FORM 86 –

“QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

POSITIONS”

Some of the questions on the revised SF-86 specify a time frame, or investigative scope of seven (7) years. This time frame is not consistent with the National Security Directive (NSD) 63, “Single Scope Background Investigations”, dated October 21, 1991.

Accordingly, the Office of Personnel Management has issued interim instructions that require a ten (10) year time frame for specific questions on the SF-86 for those cases in which the form is being completed for a single scope background investigation (SBI).

The following questions on the revised SF-86 should be answered with a ten (10) year time frame for the case to meet the NSC 63 standards:

9 Residences 10 Schools 11 Employment 12 References 21 Medical 22 Discharges 23 Police Record 29 Court Actions

I acknowledge that I have read and understand that some questions on the SF-86 specify a time frame of seven (7) years, which is not consistent with the NSC 63 Standards for Single Scope Background Investigations. Accordingly, the specified questions on this addendum are to be answered with a ten (10) year time frame to meet the NSC 63 Standards.