SEC070 Q A-Question 3.docx

3. Paragraph C3 of the RFP states a requirement for employees to be “…eligible or have been the subject of a favorably adjudicated SSBI within the last five years”. The RFP also indicates at C5d that Security Analysts will have OPM Portal access. According to OPM, this requires investigation at the ANACI level only.

a. Since there are no individual (personnel) clearance requirements (PCL) associated with this contract, why do employees have to have a completed SSBI (a level of investigation sufficient for a Top Secret clearance)? Answer: The positions are considered “High Risk” with access to SII/PII. In addition, the Personnel Security Divisions policy is that personnel adjudicating and/or having access to SSBI-level cases should possess the equivalent level of investigation. They do not necessarily have to have the actual clearance but they need to be eligible to receive one.

b. On what basis can the contractor request SSBI-level investigation to satisfy this requirement? Answer: See a. above.

c. Is use of this solicitation appropriate basis to meet the requirement for initiation of investigation? Answer: The basis for initiating an investigation is the contractors’ decision to make.

d. In addition, the RFP indicates at H.5(e) that TSA will affect scheduling of “a full background investigation” of employees for the purpose of suitability determination. Does TSA intend this investigation to be at the SSBI level? Answer: Yes