DPSAC processes are governed by
federal regulations. The U.S. Government conducts background investigations to determine if applicants or employees meet the suitability/fitness requirements for employment, or are eligible for access to federal facilities, automated systems, or classified information.
An individual's investigative requirement is determined by the duties and responsibilities of their position and the associated degree of potential damage to the efficiency or integrity of the service or adverse effect on the national security from the misconduct of an incumbent of a position. This establishes the risk and sensitivity level of the position. DPSAC uses the
OPM Position Designation Tool (PDAT) to ensure positions across NIH are properly designated. The PDAT tool ensures the correct investigative tier is selected for the individual based on their position description. Please visit our Investigation Requirements for Your Position page for more information.
For published Background Investigation Billing rates, please visit
OPM Investigation Billing Rates
under Resources.
| Positive Sensitivity Designation | Position Risk Designation | Type of Investigation | Form Type |
|---|
| Special Sensitive | High Risk | Tier5+SCI | SF 86 |
| Critical Sensitive | High Risk | Tier5 | SF 86 |
| Non-Critical Sensitive | High Risk | Tier5 | SF 86 |
| Moderate Risk | Tier3 | SF 86 |
| Non-Sensitive Public Trust | High Risk | Tier4 | SF 85P |
| Moderate Risk | Tier2 | SF 85P |
| Non-Sensitive | Low Risk | Tier1 | SF 85 |
Why We Do What We Do
Keeping NIH personnel, vendors, visitors, facilities, records, and resources
safe by ensuring personnel are properly vetted and are suitable or fit to occupy the positions they are appointed to
Meeting Federal Regulations, Authorities and Directives from the Executive Office, Code of Federal Regulations, Homeland Security Presidential Directives, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)
