Fort Belvoir, Va. –
Many DCAA employees are required to have a security clearance. A security clearance investigation is used to collect background information to determine whether you are reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States. The investigation process is lengthy and can be confusing but remember; the DCAA security office is always available to answer your questions.
The steps in the process are:
1. e-QIP. e-QIP is a software program used to collect the basic information to get the security clearance process started. In filling out the e-QIP, you will provide information on your family, residences, employment, foreign travel, and foreign contacts.
2. Security Office Review. Once you complete the e-QIP, the DCAA security personnel will review for accuracy and completeness.
3. Background Investigation. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) takes the information in the e-QIP and conducts record searches at law enforcement offices, courts, creditors, and other record repositories to see if there is derogatory information about you.
4. In-person Interview. The DCSA investigator may conduct an in-person interview with you and your co-workers to verify the information you provided. During this interview, the investigator will go review your information to clarify entries.
5. DCSA Completes Investigation. Information from the various parts of the investigation are compiled and sent to the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudication Facility (DODCAF), which is the office responsible for determining clearance eligibility.
6. Clearance Award. The DCAA security office will notify you of favorable or unfavorable determination for a clearance.
7. Continuous Vetting. Once a clearance is awarded, there is continuous monitoring of changes to credit reports, criminal records, and public records. Changes do not mean a clearance will be automatically revoked but negative changes may result in a reinvestigation.