ADS Chapter 566 Personnel Security Investigations and Clearances

The primary responsibilities of SEC include conducting background investigations, adjudicating suitability and fitness determinations, and issuing security clearances. The Office of Security (SEC) is responsible for conducting personnel security investigations for employees to determine the security eligibility of USAID employees and personal services contractors. SEC also conducts background investigations on institutional contractors working under unclassified contracts for the purposes of facility access required under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). The Director of Security (D/SEC) is the designated Senior Agency Official under Executive Order 12968, Access to Classified Information. The Director directs and administers the USAID security program and chairs the USAID Security Clearance Review Panel (SCRP). The Deputy Director of Security (DD/SEC) is the decision authority for the reduction, denial, or revocation of an individual's eligibility for access to classified National Security information. The Chief of the Personnel Security Division (SEC/PS) directs the administrative head of an individual's security clearance and any approved special access due to a direct-hire or USPSC employee's absence from the Agency. The Chief of the Personnel Security Division also suspends security clearances and periodically reviews the status of conditional clearances and clearance suspensions. The Executive Secretariat (ES) is the approval authority for determining whether an individual requires access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and whether that access is retained with position transitions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is responsible for conducting investigations for all persons nominated by the President for positions subject to Senate confirmation. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for making suitability determinations for Inspector General direct-hire employees and taking adverse actions against federal employees as stipulated in 5 CFR 731.104. The Deputy Assistant Administrator for Human Resources (DAA/HR) serves as a member of the Security Clearance Review Panel (SCRP) and implements position sensitivity and recommendations. The Authorized Requestor is responsible for initiating all candidates in the Office of Personnel's (OPM's) on-line system, e-QIP, for completion of the Standard Form (SF) 85, 85P, or 86, and an initial quality review of the security package to ensure all necessary forms have been completed, signed, and dated prior to submission to SEC. Supervisors, managers, and managers are responsible for reporting any behaviors, activities, or situations involving USAID employees, USPSCs, or institutional contractors to the Office of Security (SEC). The Office of Security (SEC) is responsible for conducting background investigations, adjudicating suitability and fitness determinations, and issuing security clearances. The Office of Security (SEC) conducts background investigations on direct-hire employees, USPSCs, institutional contractors, and other categories of personnel. The subsequent adjudication of these investigations forms the basis for the issuance of a Federal Personal Identity Verification card (PIV card) or any other badge or building pass that provides unescorted access to USAID space and access to classified National Security information. The Office of Security (SEC) is responsible for conducting personnel security investigations and clearances for USAID employees and personal services contractors. The primary responsibilities of SEC include conducting background investigations, adjudicating suitability and fitness determinations, and issuing security clearances.