In October, OPM issued a memorandum instructing agencies to begin preparations to enroll their non-sensitive public trust workforce into continuous vetting. Image: shocky/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffFollowing are sections of a recent report from the Performance Accountability Council on the status of changes underway to the process for vetting federal employees for new and renewed security clearances.
The Government continued to make significant headway in 2023. Continuous vetting is alerting agencies to problematic behavior much faster for 100% of their national security personnel – years earlier than a periodic reinvestigation would have. Pilots expanding continuous vetting to the nonsensitive public trust population kicked off in 2023 and will inform the next steps required for enterprise scaling. As part of continuous vetting efforts, Rap Back enrollments have increased from 328k to 680, a 107% increase that is providing real-time arrest record alerts. Policy issuances progressed from 58% to 77%—of note, they establish aggressive performance targets, update training standards, and approve a new streamlined form that will replace the four Standard Forms currently used. Starting in early 2023, the e-QIP to eApp transition was completed by the end of the year with agencies and industry fully transitioned, reducing costs, increasing security, and improving user experience.
New Questionnaire Furthers Commitment to Improving Customer Experience
As part of ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience chartered by the Personnel Vetting Core Doctrine and reinforced by the Individual Engagement Guidelines, a new form was approved in November to replace the four existing forms (SF85, 85P, 85P-S, and 86). Among other key changes, the new form seeks to further destigmatize mental health treatment, aligns the form with policies on past marijuana use, and leverages simpler language consistent with the Plain Writing Act of 2010. eApp implementation timelines will be communicated in the next quarterly issuance of this report.
Continuous Vetting Expands Beyond National Security Personnel, Further Reducing Risk
In October, OPM issued a memorandum instructing agencies to begin preparations to enroll their non-sensitive public trust workforce into continuous vetting. National security personnel were previously transitioned, allowing agencies to identify potentially problematic behavior years faster than through periodic reinvestigations. The population being transitioned now includes all personnel in high or moderate risk positions that don’t require eligibility for access to classified information. The memorandum includes information to help agencies—such as FAQs— better prepare their workforces for the enrollment process.
Industry Listening Tour Generates Valuable Ideas and Insight for Path Forward
On December 6, the PAC completed Phase 1 of the Listening Tour sessions with industry personnel vetting representatives to hear their views on reform progress, continuing challenges, and ideas for improvement. The feedback from the 17 engagements included input from 126 individuals representing 67 companies, 12 university and federally funded research organizations, and 13 professional associations and has been universally positive. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to provide industry’s perspective, get up-to-date information to help them plan, and ask questions, as well as for the progress made in reducing timeliness and inventory. Their input centers on inconsistent processes across agencies that create mobility obstacles; duplicative entries that waste time and resources; lack of clarity and transparency that hampers hiring and security; the need for more frequent, clear communications to reduce misunderstanding; and encouragement for active leadership to enable consistent implementation. Feedback from the sessions have informed future Trusted Workforce 2.0 initiatives. The Listening Tour will transition in 2024 into Phase Two, which will feature monthly Deep-Dive sessions focused on specific issues.
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