DPSAC News
A bi-weekly newsletter from the Division of Personnel Security and Access Control
Providing timely information to help keep NIH safe and secure.

November 21, 2018 Issue of DPSAC News

In this issue:
  • Is Your PIV Card (HHS ID Badge) Provisional or Final?
  • Fire Safety During the Holiday Season
  • FAQs
  • Helpful Tips

Is Your PIV Card (HHS ID Badge) Provisional or Final?
Did you know that until your background investigation has been successfully adjudicated and you have been found suitable to work at NIH, your PIV Card (HHS ID Badge) is considered provisional?

Many new employees and contractors mistakenly believe that the badge they are issued at the time of enrollment is their final or permanent badge. In fact, a badge issued at enrollment is deemed interim until the individual’s background investigation is concluded and the Division of Personnel Security and Access Control (DPSAC) has successfully completed adjudicating the person’s background investigation.

How do I know when I’ve been found suitable and my badge is permanent?
Once the person’s background investigation is complete and DPSAC has successfully adjudicated the case, the badge holder will receive an e-mail from the NIH Personnel Security Office with the subject line:

" DPSAC BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION COMPLETE FOR [person’s name]"

The e-mail will notify the person the s/he has been found suitable to occupy a Tier 'x' position as of a certain date.

How long does a background investigation take?
Applicants who occupy a non-sensitive T-1 position (most positions at NIH fall into this Tier) can typically expect to receive their approval e-mail within six weeks.

Background investigations for individuals who occupy positions carrying greater responsibility (e.g., Public Trust positions [Tier 2 and 4] or National Security positions [Tier 3 and 5] will take longer. In certain cases, the investigation can take as long as a year or greater.

Fairylights
Fire Safety During the Holiday Season
The following fire safety article was prepared by the Division of the Fire Marshal, ORS, NIH

With the approach of the holiday season, many of us
look forward to decorating our workplace. When planning, here are some practical guidelines to minimize fire hazards. Many of these fire safety tips are equally appropriate for your home as well.
 
  • Christmas trees may be displayed beginning Monday, November 26, 2018 through Friday, January 4, 2019.
  • Only small artificial trees are permitted in laboratory areas.
  • The height of natural trees is limited to four feet. Be sure that the tree base is submerged in water at all times.
  • Display trees and decorations away from room exits in a manner that does not obstruct entering or leaving the room. Trees are not permitted in corridors or stairwells.
  • All artificial trees and decorations must be made of flame retardant or non-combustible materials. Non-combustible decorations are safer and preferred.
  • Open flame candles (including menorahs with real candles) are not permitted.
  • Because of the risk of electrical shock, lights are not to be used on aluminum trees.

These guidelines apply only to Bethesda main campus facilities. For other NIH occupied facilities, contact your local fire department for guidance.
 
The Division of the Fire Marshal, Office of Research Services, wishes everyone the happiest of holidays and a fire-safe and prosperous New Year.
 
If you have any questions concerning holiday fire safety issues in the workplace, or in the home, please contact the Office of Research Services, Division of the Fire Marshal at 301-496-0487.

A .  No. Moving from one Institute/Center to another does not require badge re-issuance -- unless that person is also changing from an Employee (no stripe) to a Contractor or Affiliate (green stripe) or from a Contractor or Affiliate to an Employee (FTE).

An individual's badge will not be revoked when changing classification  to  an FTE; however, revocation will occur when changing classification  from  an FTE.

Note: switching ICs may require contacting Facilities Access Control (301-451-4766; or facilityaccesscontrol@mail.nih.gov ) for physical access to the new IC's duty station.
Do NOT lend your ID badge to anyone! Lending your ID badge is prohibited. The issuance of ID badges is based on strict identity proofing and the determination of one's suitability for a specific position classification. To do so is a criminal offense!

Return Your Badge When Leaving NIH
If you plan to leave the employ of NIH, whether you’re an employee, contractor or affiliate, you will need to turn in your HHS ID Badge (or RLA Badge) to your Administrative Officer so that s/he can deactivate your badge in NED. The AO will turn over the deactivated badge to the badging office.

Ad ministrative Officers (AOs) who wish to obtain sponsor authority must complete the sponsor training. To access the training module, click on: Sponsor .

Upon completion, the AO should sign and e-mail a copy of the certificate found at the end of the training module to Alex Salah at: salaha@ors.od.nih.gov . Upon receipt of the certificate, Mr. Salah will authorize the AO as a Sponsor. 

Note: ONLY individuals with an Administrative Officer role in NED are eligible to be HHS ID Badge/PIV Card Sponsors.  
A biweekly e-newsletter from the National Institutes of Health, Office of Research Services, Division of Personnel Security and Access Control (ORS/DPSAC) to keep its readers informed of personnel security and access control policies and practices designed to safeguard the NIH and its workforce. DPSAC is responsible for verifying personal identity, validating suitability, reviewing background checks, authorizing facility access and issuing ID badges for NIH personnel. 

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