Attachment_2_Personnel_Screening.doc

ATTACHMENT 2: PERSONNEL SCREENING

Security Personnel Screening

In general, the Postal Service accepts air carrier security program requirements set forth by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In addition to these, the USPS also mandates other requirements.

Access to the Mails – Screening Requirements

Access to mail refers to individuals who transport, load, and unload mail to and from ground equipment and to and from aircraft.

Individuals providing services to the Postal Service under this contract (including suppliers, employees of suppliers, and subcontractors and their employees at any tier), hereinafter, "individuals," who have access to the mail, and who have been hired on or after September 12, 1998, must obtain a security clearance from the Postal Service, before such access to the mail is granted.

Applicability:

Access to the mail is permitted as soon as the security clearance package has been submitted to the Security Investigations Service Center (SISC) in Memphis. Access to mail refers to individuals who transport, sort, load and unload mail to and from ground equipment and/or aircraft. This includes individuals who have direct supervisory duties in directing the transport, sorting, loading and unloading of mail to and from ground equipment and aircraft.

If the supplier has ground handling services performed at air stops (gateways) by another supplier (subcontractor), and if, to the best knowledge of the prime supplier, that subcontractor is in compliance with the provisions of this clause, the prime supplier may certify that fact to the Contracting Officer in writing, and thereby be relieved of the primary responsibility for personnel screening The prime supplier is in all cases responsible for meeting these screening requirements for all persons having access to the mail who are its direct employees. For example, if ABC, Inc. is a supplier, and it performs ground handling services at one or more air stops for CDE, Inc. then CDE must certify in writing as follows:

“I certify that at the following air stops ground handling services are being performed by ABC, and that to the best of my knowledge, ABC is a supplier of air transportation services under contract number__. A listing of airports served by ABC is attached hereto.”

The supplier must have clauses in its contracts with subcontractors requiring adherence to the USPS screening procedures contained in this contract.

1. Requirements: The supplier employing individuals to perform duties under this contract, where those duties will necessitate access to the mail, must provide the following documentation as early as possible, to the Security Investigations Service Center (SISC) in Memphis, Tennessee. The items listed in sections A. through D. below must be completed prior to the employee being granted access to the mail. For purposes of this clause, the term “completed” means that all tasks have been done, and the required submissions to the Postal Service have been made. The supplier is required to maintain all certifications required in sections A. through D.

A.

Drug Screening: The supplier must certify that individuals providing service under this contract have passed a screening test for those substances identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as the five most abused substances which are cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine/methamphetamine, opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). The tests must be performed by a SAMHSA approved certified laboratory. The drug test must meet the cut-off levels established by SAMHSA. All drug screening tests must be completed within 90 days prior to having access to the mails since drug tests older than 90 days are invalid and must be redone. The supplier and all subcontractors must maintain the name of the institution conducting the test and a document indicating if the employee passed or tested positive.

B.

Criminal History: Certification, based upon a criminal records check (a state records check is preferred) of each employee through local agencies (state, county or city) where the applicant has resided and worked for the past five (5) years (this may require multiple checks for applicants who live in one location and work in another location, or for applicants who have moved within that time period), that each individual:

· Has not been convicted of a felony criminal violation in the past five (5) years.

· Has not been convicted of serious criminal charges (e.g. murder, rape, robbery, burglary, physical assaults, weapons violations and all drug changes (felony or misdemeanor)).

· Does not have any pending felony or serious criminal charges.

· Is not on parole for or probation for any felony or serious criminal charges.

C.

Citizenship: Certification of U.S. citizenship or legal work status authorizing the individual to work in the United States is required. (I-9 form is to be used). Non-US citizens must have resided in the U.S. for 4 ½ of the past 5 years.

U.S. citizens who have not resided in the U.S. for at least 4 ½ of the past 5 years will not be processed for a clearance except those falling into one of the following categories:

1. Is a trailing spouse or dependent of someone in the U.S. military

2. Is a missionary

3. Is a Peace Corps volunteer

4. Is an exchange student

5. Is an employee of a U.S. based employer/company

6. Other extraordinary circumstance

Individuals who fall into one of the above categories may provide a letter of recommendation from their employer and/or a criminal history report (with translation) from the country where they resided.

D. Fingerprinting: The supplier must obtain two sets of fingerprints for each applicant.

Each fingerprint card and subsequent supplies will be issued by USPS. A copy of a Case Closing Transmittal (CCT) from OPM may be submitted in lieu of fingerprint cards if the CCT was dated within twelve months.

2. Processing:

a.. The supplier will submit, for individuals employed by the supplier or any subcontractors completed Certification and Transmittal Cover Sheet, both sets of fingerprint cards (Form FD 258), a completed PS 2025, and PS 2181-C to the Security Investigations Service Center (SISC). Upon receipt of the required documentation, the SISC will submit the fingerprint cards to the Federal Investigations Processing Center, Office of Personnel Management and perform a search of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Wants and Warrants and Inspection Service databases at its cost.

b. In cases where an individual business entity is predominant at a given airport, the Contracting Officer in consultation with the Inspection Service may approve the receipt of screening documents from that entity.

c. The supplier shall maintain supporting documentation for the drug screening, criminal history inquiries, and citizenship verifications subject to review by the USPS, for the life of this contract in accordance with its internal procedures, advising the Inspection Service SISC on the Certification form. At the employee’s local station, the supplier is only required to maintain a copy of the Certification form. The supplier currently maintaining security screening files under existing USPS contracts shall continue to maintain those files.

3. Access: The supplier will be responsible to ensure only cleared individuals or those whose security clearance packages have been submitted to the SISC for processing, have access to the mail. The supplier is responsible for maintaining an accurate listing of individuals at the facilities for the review of the USPS. The supplier must maintain all certifications required in compliance with this clause and the Personnel Security Administrative Instructions which are incorporated into this contract by reference.

4. Denial: Persons who meet the following criteria are not permitted to have access to the mail under this contract:

· A supplier, subcontractor, or employee of a supplier or subcontractor who has not received a security screening in accordance with the criteria listed above under Personnel Screening.

· A supplier, subcontractor, or employee of a supplier or subcontractor who has been convicted of or is on probation, parole, or under suspended sentence for illegal use, possession, sale, or transfer of controlled substances during the past five (5) years. Including Assault, Theft and Weapons charges.

· A supplier, subcontractor, or employee of a supplier or subcontractor who has been convicted of any criminal felony violation during the past five (5) years, who is on parole, probation or suspended sentence for commission of a criminal felony during the past five (5) years.

· A supplier, subcontractor, or employee of a supplier or subcontractor who has ever been convicted or identified of theft of mail or other Postal Law.

· A supplier, subcontractor, or employee of a supplier or subcontractor who has an active warrant or is on probation or is on parole.

· Has any pending felony or serious criminal charges.

· Any other circumstance that makes the individual unfit to do business with the Postal Service.

5. Appeal: Any employee who is denied a clearance based on the above criteria may appeal the denial in accordance with the instructions included in the denial letter. However, the employee’s access to the mail is to be withdrawn immediately and may not be reinstated unless the denial is overturned and a clearance is granted.

6. Placement: It is agreed that in the event an employee is disqualified under the above criterion, the responsibility for placement of that employee into functions not having access to the mail is solely at the discretion of the employer.

7. Required Postal Service Forms:

· PS Form 2181-C, Authorization and Release-Background Investigations (USPS Suppliers and Employees of Suppliers). This form is provided under Personnel Security Administrative Instructions, and may be reproduced by the supplier.

· PS Form 2025, Contract Personnel Questionnaire.

· FD-258, Applicant Fingerprint Chart (two copies). The Postal Inspection Service at Memphis, TN will provide additional original copies for supplier use. These additional forms may be obtained by calling the Memphis office at (901) 747-7712.

· Certification and Transmittal Cover Sheet. This form is provided under Personnel Security Administrative Instructions, and may be reproduced by the supplier.

All forms and certifications are to be sent to:

Memphis SISC

Security Investigations Service Center

225 North Humphreys Boulevard

Fourth Floor, South

Memphis, TN 38161-0008

8. USPS-FAA-TSA Information Sharing: USPS intends to make its best efforts to position itself to eliminate the requirement for its set of FD-258 forms, and other submissions to be determined, through cooperation with the FAA, TSA, and/or other agencies or associations to share relevant information for its regulatory purposes.

9. Training: The USPS may, but is not required to, provide orientation/training for suppliers during the term of this contract to clarify requirements, processes, and procedures necessary to fully implement this program.