Clearance process · Detailed map
Request and submission
Follow the Government and industry steps that establish a valid requirement, select prior-vetting route, open a request and submit a complete package.
Process chart · Follow the arrows
Clearance process: start here, then follow the path
Read from top to bottom. At the first decision, follow either the government or industry lane. The paths meet for investigation and adjudication, then continue through the separate access gate. Each step links to the authority or official process that supports it.
Define the requirement and the person’s role
Position manager and agency security staff identify official duties, the information level, position risk/sensitivity, and which determination is needed.
GCA/customer, prime and subcontractor trace the requirement through each contract to the performing company and individual’s assigned duties. Confirm whether the person needs access, whether an entity must safeguard, and where work occurs.
Gate: No documented requirement tied to this position or contract and person → do not open a clearance request.
References: OPM vetting steps · DCSA facility-clearance sponsorship · 32 CFR §117.17, subcontract
Set the position tier and identify the required eligibility
Agency applies the current position-designation process and identifies suitability/fitness, sensitive-position, national-security and classified-eligibility decisions that apply.
GCA/customer states the required classified level and work. FSO checks the contract security specification, company eligibility, approved locations/systems and any separately stated SCI/SAP requirement.
Output: documented case type, investigation tier/forms, required level and any separate facility or program approvals.
References: DCSA case types and forms · ODNI Federal Personnel Vetting Guidelines, §§IV.D–E
Gate: A record match or prior clearance alone is not the new position’s or customer’s access approval.
References: ODNI Federal Personnel Vetting Guidelines, §IV.F · OPM vetting steps
An authorized sponsor opens the investigation request
Agency sponsor/personnel-vetting office opens the correct case in the system designated for the agency, population and determination.
For a NISP classified-access request, the FSO/designee initiates the applicant process through the current DCSA/DISS route and connects it to the contract/customer. A needed facility-clearance request is a separate sponsor action.
Output: accepted request with correct person, sponsor, case type and requirement. Incorrect or unsupported requests return for correction.
References: DCSA: Processing applicants · DCSA: Facility Clearances
The applicant completes and submits the required package
Applicant completes the assigned questionnaire, releases, identity checks and fingerprints through the agency’s authorized system.
Applicant completes the assigned eApp/questionnaire and releases, then submits required fingerprints and signed items using current DCSA instructions.
Return loop: Missing or inconsistent answers/materials go back to the applicant or authorized reviewer for correction before the request proceeds.
References: DCSA: Processing applicants · DCSA: Case types and forms
The authorized office checks completeness and releases the case
Agency-designated staff review package adequacy/completeness, resolve omissions and release the accepted case to the authorized investigative service provider (ISP).
FSO reviews SF 86 only for adequacy and completeness, submits it through the approved route, and does not use or share its information for another purpose.
Gate: ISP accepts the complete request. An intake rejection returns to the submitting office/applicant; pending status does not authorize access.
References: DCSA: Processing applicants · 32 CFR §117.10(d), FSO SF 86 limits