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.

January 2, 2019 Issue of DPSAC News
 In this issue:
  • New Frozen Credit Instructions for Personnel Background Investigations
  • Helpful Tips
OPM/NBIB Announces New Frozen Credit Instructions for Personnel Background Investigations
This article first appeared in the December 19, 2018 issue of DPSAC News.

As of September 24, 2018, agencies requesting investigations from the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) do not need to instruct subjects of investigations to unfreeze their credit.
 
On May 24, 2018, the Economic Grown, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law and included an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The amendment, which went into effect September 22, 2018, allows access to credit bureaus to frozen credit reports for “any person using the information for employment, tenant, or background screening purposes.”

This change provides NBIB the ability to conduct a check on frozen credit accounts without requiring the Subject of the investigation to unfreeze the account(s).
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.

 Administrative 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. 

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
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Office of Research Services
Division of Personnel Security and Access Control
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