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2025 DPSAC Newsletters

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

  • January 22, 2025 - "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 8, 2025 - "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.


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