Vetting process

The State Department's vetting process for its Worldwide Personal Protective Servies (WPPS) management positions is spelled out in the following document. The document is on file at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Vetting Process
(Attachment 1)

Worldwide Personal Protective Services Management Positions

• Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendors conduct past employment and criminal records checks for all individuals employed on Worldwide Personal Protective Services contracts.
• After the vendors complete record checks, vendors submit the individual’s biographical information to the High Threat Protection operations center for review.
• High Threat Protection subject matter experts review bios for suitability and qualifications as specified in the Worldwide Personal Security Services II base contract.
• When the biographical data has been approved by High Threat Protection, the Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendor is allowed to submit for a Questionnaire for National Security Positions security clearance investigation to be opened for that individual.
• The clearance investigation is opened and conducted by Industrial Security, upon completion Industrial Security then sends the case to the Department of State Personnel Security and Suitability Division for review prior to a clearance issuance.
• The individuals are not allowed to work on the Worldwide Personal Protective Services contract until they have received an Interim or final Secret clearance.

All United States personnel assigned to this contract are required to have a minimum of a Secret Security Clearance.

Worldwide Personal Protective Services Personal Security Specialists Positions

Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendors conduct past employment and criminal records checks for individuals employed on Worldwide Personal Protective Services contracts.

• The vendors are required by the Worldwide Personal Protective Services base contract to certify all Personal Security Specialists personnel as fully qualified to perform Worldwide Personal Protective Services as specified in the base contract.
• When the biographical data is received by the High Threat Protection operations center, the Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendor is allowed to submit a Questionnaire for National Security Positions security clearance investigation to be opened for that individual.
• The clearance investigation is opened and conducted by Industrial Security, upon completion Industrial Security then sends the case to the Department of State Personnel Security and Suitability Division for review prior to a clearance issuance.
• The individuals are not allowed to work on the Worldwide Personal Protective Services contract until they have received an Interim or final Secret clearance.
• The biographical data submitted by the Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendors is randomly checked for contract compliance with Section B of the base contract, by High Threat Protection personnel.
• All United States personnel assigned to this contract are required to have a minimum of a Secret Security Clearance issued by the Department of State.

Worldwide Personal Protective Services Third Country National Positions

• Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendors conduct past employment and criminal records checks for individuals employed on Worldwide Personal Protective Services contracts.
• The vendors are required by the Worldwide Personal Protective Services base contract to certify all Third Country National personnel as fully qualified to perform Guard Force functions under the base contract in accordance with Section B.
• When the biographical data has been received by the High Threat Protection operations center, the Worldwide Personal Protective Services vendor is contacted and allowed to submit a Questionnaire for National Security Positions Moderate Risk Public Trust investigation to be opened.
• The clearance investigation is opened and conducted by Industrial Security, upon completion Industrial Security then sends the case to the Department of State Personnel Security and Suitability Division for review prior to a Moderate Risk Public Trust being issued.
• The individuals are not allowed to work on the Worldwide Personal Protective Services contract until they have received a Moderate Risk Public Trust.
• All Third Country National Personnel assigned to this contract are required to have a minimum of a Moderate Risk Public Trust issued by the Department of State.