2024 DPSAC Newsletters

​​​​​​​Be sure to follow our latest DPSAC Newsletter and see below for previous newsletters, articles and topics we have covered.​

Please read this newsletter to better understand what happens when classification changes are made and when individuals transfer from another HHS agency to NIH.

  • April 3, 2024 Importance Notice from NED Regarding Maintenance Release 6.2

The NED team deployed Maintenance Release 6.2 on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Please see the full important notice from the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED) Application team in this newsletter.

For administrators who will be involved in processing Summer Students, please read the newsletter for information on the type of badge that Summer Students will be receiving and the DPSAC process they must go through in order to receive their badge.

  • March 6, 2024 - Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Dates vs. ID Badge Expiration Dates

Understand the difference between "Not-to-Exceed" (NTE) dates and "ID Badge Expiration" dates in the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED)! 

The Division of Personnel Security and Access Control (DPSAC) is pleased to share about our partnership with the CIT Helpdesk ServiceNow. ServiceNow is a ticketing service platform that allows users to easily submit helpdesk requests to DPSAC. There are two ways to submit a helpdesk request. Please feel free to check out our introductory video on how to submit a helpdesk ticket, which is shared on DPSAC's new Contact page and home page.

  • February 7, 2024 - SuitEA's Reminder to Agencies on Instructions for Frozen Credit

On behalf of the Director of Suitability Executive Agent (SuitEA) Programs under the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SuitEA has issued the following notice on January 8, 2024 to remind agencies that individuals undergoing background investigation do not need to lift security freezes on consumer or credit report files. Please read their notice in the newsletter.

  • January 24, 2024 - Responsibility to Submit Individual’s Position Designation and Tier Level Accurately in NED

When entering individuals into NED, AOs must comply with all HSPD-12 guidelines and requests as an HSPD-12 Sponsor and remember the responsibilities and duties that come with being an AO. Therefore, AOs must enter individuals into NED with the correct tier level and proper position designation for DPSAC to conduct a proper investigation accordingly. AOs should not be entering individuals at a lower tier with the hopes of onboarding the individual quicker. When individuals are onboarded at a lower tier level (e.g., Tier 1) and then have their Position Sensitivity Level (PSL) upgraded once approved (e.g., Tier 3), the individual will be required to complete the background investigation process a second time. This leads to longer processing times and doubles the amount of time and effort, as our staff in DPSAC will have to process the same individual again. Additionally, upgrading an individual’s PSL after getting approved at a lower tier level will cost their ICO additional funds to go through the background investigation process again. Please read the full article in this newsletter issue.

  • January 10, 2024 - Importance of Following HSPD-12 Guidelines and Deactivating Unsuitable/Ineligible Individuals’ NED Records When Notified

Each Institute, Center and Office (ICO) have Administrative Officers (AOs) who undergo specific training to serve as authorized HSPD-12 Sponsors. These AOs are required to complete training that includes signing a certificate submitted to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 Program Office before any AO can have the authority to request a badge for an individual. It is with upmost importance to comply with all HSPD-12 guidelines and requests as an HSPD-12 Sponsor and to remember the responsibilities and duties that come with being an AO. AOs must remain aware of individuals’ statuses and the continuing need for holding an ID badge, as well as provide any updates to their information or status in the NIH Enterprise Directory (NED). 

If the Division of Personnel Security and Access Control (DPSAC) office finds an individual to be unsuitable or ineligible for their position, DPSAC will immediately notify the AO, supervisor and the individual by email. When notifying AOs and supervisors, DPSAC instructs the AO to deactivate the unsuitable or ineligible individual’s NED record promptly. AOs must take prompt action to update the NED system and remove the unsuitable or ineligible individual immediately by deactivating the individual’s NED record to ensure access is no longer active. The individual must also turn in their badge the same day they are notified. For more information, please read the article in this newsletter issue.

  • January 3, 2024 ​- "Year-End Message from the DPSAC Director" & "2023 DPSAC Newsletter Highlights in Review"

​Read our top 10 highlighted articles from DPSAC news published in 2023!


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