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Changes to SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions in e-QIP (Part IV)
This is the final installment of a 4-part series highlighting changes to the SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently deployed for use with e-QIP.
The purpose of the SF-86 - The Background Investigation for National Security Positions
The background investigation for a national security position is conducted to gather information for the purpose of determining whether the applicant is reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the U.S. The Standard Form 86 (SF-86) is the questionnaire upon which such an investigation is based.
The SF-86, "Questionnaire for National Security Positions" is intended specifically for use in requesting investigations for persons seeking to occupy positions designated as National Security "Sensitive."
Recent revisions to the SF-86 will affect individuals who are applying for positions in Tier 3 (Non-Critical Sensitive positions requiring Confidential or Secret background investigations) and Tier 5 (Critical Sensitive positions requiring Top Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Terminating the 2010 SF-86 and processing discontinued questionnaires still in the pipeline
When the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) adopted the revised questionnaire on July 30, 2017, it simultaneously disabled the 2010 SF-86 to ensure that all new request initiations will be requested on the 2017 SF-86 only.
Requests that were initiated on the 2010 form prior to July 30, 2017 will continue to run their course and agencies will be able to release these requests to NBIB, which will be accepted and processed accordingly. NBIB will continue to process 2010 SF-86 forms for 90 days thereafter, at which point it will terminate any remaining cases using the 2010 form.
OPM Deploys Revised 2017 SF-86
On July 30, 2017 the OPM replaced the 2010 SF-86 with the 2017 version that incorporates changes to many of the 29 sections of this background questionnaire.
DPSAC News began this series (
August 2, 2017 DPSAC News) with a review of the changes to the first 18 sections of the SF-86. These changes involve minor expansions or modifications that allow applicants to give more complete responses to the questions.
The
August 16, 2017 DPSAC News looked at two sections of the form that underwent more substantive revisions: Section 21 (S21) (Psychological and Emotional Health Questions); and Section 23 (Illegal Use of Drugs and Drug Activity). These important changes reflect shifts in societal attitudes and/or changes in the law or policy.
Changes to the remaining sections of the SF-86
In this final installment, DPSAC News reviews the remaining sections of the questionnaire that have been modified. These changes, much like the ones in Sections 1 -18, offer minor expansions or modifications that allow applicants to give more complete responses to the questions.
To assist applicants and the administrative staff who may be advising them, DPSAC News has also included time saving tips as well as a review of common errors and omissions DPSAC staff encounter during the e-QIP review process (prior to releasing the applicant's background investigation submission for processing by OPM).
Section 19 - Foreign Contacts
The change: legally recognized civil union/domestic partner has been added to this category
Tip: Foreign national is defined as any person who is not a citizen or national of the U.S.
You must indicate whether you have, or have had, close and/or continuing contact with a foreign national within the last seven years with whom you or your spouse, or legally recognized civil union/domestic partner, or cohabitant are bound by affection, influence, common interests, and/or obligation.
If you answer in the affirmative, you will be prompted to provide additional information. Include associates as well as relatives not previously listed in Section 18 (Relatives).
Section 20a - Foreign Activities
The change: addition instructional changes for reporting Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Tip: You must indicate whether you, your spouse or legally recognized civil union/domestic partner, your cohabitant, or your dependent children have EVER had any foreign interests such as stocks, property, investments, bank accounts, businesses, ownership of corporate entities, corporate interests or ETFs or investments.
Exclude financial interests in companies or diversified mutual funds that are publicly traded on a U.S. exchange.
If you answer 'Yes,' you will be prompted to provide additional information.
Section 20b - Foreign Business, Professional Activities, & Contacts
The change: minor wording change and added information regarding
legally recognized civil union/domestic partner
Clarification: There are a series of 9 questions in Section 20b. These questions can request information from the past 7 years or in some cases, they will ask if they have EVER occurred. Please read the questions carefully to ensure the information is correct.
If you answer 'Yes' to any of the questions you will be prompted to provide additional information.
Section 20c - Foreign Countries You have Visited
The change: clarification for official government orders.
Note: If you answer Yes to having traveled outside the U.S. on "other than official business,"
you will be presented with additional branching questions related to travel outside the U.S. on other than official business. Multiple entries are allowed.
Tip:
contractors who travel in support of their government client to a foreign country do not share the status of traveling on official government orders, even when traveling on an official government passport.
Section 22 - Police Record
The change: minor wording change and added information regarding
legally recognized civil union/domestic partner)
Section 25 - Investigations and Clearance Record
The change: the subject is required to provide the name of the bureau
for U.S. Department of Treasury investigations
Section 26 - Financial Record
The change: added Chapter 12 bankruptcy
This section addresses the individual's financial records including questions regarding whether s/he has filed a petition under any chapter of the bankruptcy code in the last seven years.
Note: 'Chapter 12 bankruptcy' is a relatively new addition to bankruptcy laws. It allows "family farmers" and "family fisherman" to restructure their finances and avoid liquidation or foreclosure. It's very similar to Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but provides additional benefits to debtors.
Tip: The applicant must also indicate whether s/he has encountered any other financial issues within the past seven years and will be specifically prompted by additional questions, based upon his/her responses.
When prompted, the applicant should provide information for the time frame mentioned in each specific question. Also, when listing past due debts, the applicant should include reasons for the status, amounts owed, and whether or not s/he has satisfied the issue. If the applicant is working on the issue with a creditor, s/he should explain when the debt will be paid.
Changes to other sections of the SF-86
- Provide e-mail address - the applicant will be given the chance to provide his/her e-mail address immediately before 'Validation" of the form begins,. The applicant should enter his/her e-mail address, then click 'Save.'
- Validating: Handling Error Messages and Warnings - in order to ensure completeness of your data, a validation occurs each time you click 'Save or Save/Continue.' The validation will point out any Errors or Warnings and provide detailed instructions on how to satisfy each missing item. You will only receive validation messages if you have not answered a question appropriately.
- Certification section - wording has been added to affirm that classified information is not provided on the form.
Tip: The final release of your request is completed in several steps:
Step 1. Print or save an Archival Copy of the entire form.
Step 2. Sign your signature forms electronically or opt to print the
signature forms and sign with pen and ink.
Step 3. Add any printed and signed hard copy signature forms as attachments using the upload feature, fax solution feature or sending to your sponsoring agency (NIH) outside of e-QIP.
Step 4. Follow your sponsoring agency's (NIH) directions for handling of forms if it has any.
Step 5. Release and transmit the investigation request to the requesting agency.
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