GAO attributed the delays in the clearance process to a variety of factors, including an inexperienced investigative workforce and not fully using technology. In addition, it said that OPM statistics underrepresent the time used in the process, for example because the measurement of time does not start immediately upon the applicant’s submission of a request for clearance. Also, OPM “provided incomplete investigative reports to DoD, and DoD personnel who review the reports to determine a person’s eligibility to hold a clearance (adjudicators) granted eligibility for industry personnel whose investigative reports contained unresolved issues, such as unexplained affluence and potential foreign influence.” In a closer look at 50 investigative reports for initial clearances, GAO found that that almost all 47 were missing required documentation. Such problems endanger national security and hamper the government’s ongoing efforts to encourage agencies to accepted clearances granted by each other, GAO said. For a closer look, go to https://www.fedweek.com/content/hfi/index.php in the hot free info section of our website.