According to Standard C of the Investigative Standards for Background Investigations for Access to Classified Information, established as a result of Executive Order 12968, individuals with “Q”, Top Secret (TS) or Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access are subject to periodic reinvestigations at any time following the completion of, but no later than five years from the date of the previous investigation.

Based upon recommendations of the personnel security community, the President approved amendments to Standard C on December 11, 2004. These amendments altered the scope of periodic reinvestigations by eliminating the absolute requirement for coverage of references and neighborhoods in cases when no information of security concern is admitted or developed. Standard C now permits a phased reinvestigation approach that includes these contacts only when security concerns are present. In response to this change, OPM has developed a new product. Beginning October 1, 2005, agencies will have two products to choose from when reinvestigating individuals for Q, Top Secret or SCI access.

Option One: Full Scope Single-Scope Background Investigation, Periodic Reinvestigation (Full Scope SSBI-PR)

OPM will continue to offer the full scope SSBI-PR with full coverage and issue resolution for agencies that choose to use this product. In order to establish a common base line standard for the content of this investigation, OPM will no longer offer an SSBI-PR that does not include issue resolution.

Option Two: Phased Periodic Reinvestigation (PPR)

Our new product, the Phased Periodic Reinvestigation, may be requested if the subject does not disclose anything of a security concern as part of the background information furnished for investigation. The attached chart indicates the questions on the SF 86 that OPM will review to determine whether a PPR may be requested.

Note: OPM will automatically convert any PPR request to the full scope SSBI-PR product, at case scheduling, if there are any positive responses to one or more of the security concern questions on the SF 86, and the agency will be billed for at the SSBI-PR rate. Any investigation originally scheduled as a basic PPR that develops information of a security concern during the course of the investigation will be expanded to meet the full SSBI-PR requirements (i.e., reference and residence coverage and full issue resolution; coverage of educational activities will also be limited to expanded PPRs). There will be a surcharge applied to all expanded cases and the surcharge will be billed when the investigation is converted.

Expansion of a Closed PPR

Agencies may request that OPM expand a closed basic PPR if the agency identifies security concerns in the case that did not meet OPM's criteria for automatic expansion. Agencies may also request specific, targeted coverage to resolve issues developed during a basic or expanded PPR through submission of a request for a Reimbursable Suitability/Security Investigation (RSI).

Timeliness Service Categorization: As noted in Federal Investigations Notice 05-02, we offer PRIORITY and STANDARD case service levels for field investigations.

Billing Rates: Refer to FIN 05-02 for the FY 06 billing rates for this product.

Reciprocity: A closed and favorably adjudicated PPR limited to basic sources will satisfy an agency's responsibility regarding the reinvestigation of persons with Q, TS or SCI access. Another reinvestigation will be required every 5 years thereafter, and at each juncture, an agency may opt for either the PPR or the SSBI-PR. Agencies are reminded that Executive Order 12968 requires background investigations and eligibility determinations to be mutually and reciprocally accepted by all agencies. This applies regardless of whether the reinvestigation was an SSBI-PR or a PPR.

Implementation: Implementation of this new product will be effective October 1, 2005. CFIS will monitor the use of this new product, and will consult with customer agencies that opt to use it, to determine whether any modifications are needed to the processing of PPRs. If your agency has any questions concerning the PPR, please contact your OPM Investigations Program Specialist on (202) 606-1042.

Attachment :

Self Disclosed Security Concerns that Require Submission of a Full Scope SSBI-PR Request and Developed Security Concerns Requiring Processing of an Expanded PPR