Q.
Am I allowed to come onto campus for my fingerprint appointment even though I am not part of Group A or B? My supervisor told me I am not able to get fingerprinted because I am in Group C, which hasn’t been given the OK to return to our duty stations yet. I’m afraid to disobey my boss.
A.
Your supervisor is mistaken. Employees have been assigned to different groups as a result of the pandemic to indicate when each group will be allowed to return to their workstation on campus. Being placed in a particular group has nothing to do with your background paperwork. Please feel free to make an appointment to get fingerprinted.
Q.
I am new to NIH and would like to know the fingerprint process for new hires and contractors who are out of state.
A.
Generally when new NIH team members are based out of state and they need new fingerprints as part of their background check, they can request fingerprint cards from the DPSAC main office in Bethesda. Once they receive the cards they can take them to a local police station for ink fingerprints, and then send the completed cards back to us.
The full electronic Enrollment (Photo and Fingerprints) at an NIH location is always preferable to fingerprint cards as Enrollment automatically updates more of our systems.
Please note that the fingerprint cards are an interim measure to complete the background check requirements. Team members needing PIV badges for access to campus and/or their computers will still usually need the full electronic enrollment (photo/fingerprints) at an NIH badging location as a prerequisite for badge issuance.
Requests for fingerprint cards can be sent to: orspersonnelsecurity@mail.nih.gov
You can find additional information about enrollment and fingerprinting on the DPSAC website at: https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/services/enrollment-services/Pages/default.aspx.
Q.
I work in Rockville and need to get my HHS ID Badge certificate renewed. Do I have to go to the DPSAC Badge Issuance Station on campus to complete this task or can my IC renew my certificate?
A.
Most NIH Team Members who have been issued an NIH Windows computer/laptop have the Access Card Utility (ACU) software already preloaded. If the badge certificate is not yet expired, they can type “Access Card Utility” in the search box (see the magnifying glass in the lower left corner of the screen), and follow the directions. The ACU software is not available for Mac computers. Once the certificate is expired individuals need to come to an NIH badge office to get them renewed. You cannot reset a PIN code with the ACU software.
Q.
From time to time I need to refer to the NED User Guide. Can this be viewed online?
A.
Here is a link to the NED User Guide. NIH Enterprise directory (NED) Release 5.2 overview. https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/resources/Documents/NED Release 5.2 Changes March 2020.pptx . You may also want to contact the NED team for additional assistance:
NEDTeam@mail.nih.gov
Q.
What has changed in the prescreening process for Tier 3 and Tier 5 positions?
A.
DSPAC) is now required to collect official position documentation from individuals in non-Critical Sensitive and Critical Sensitive Positions at NIH (Tier 3 and Tier 5) during the Personnel Security prescreening process.
ONS requires the collection of these documents prior to allowing individuals in Tier 3 and Tier 5 positions to Enter on Duty or receive prescreening clearance authorization, and before requesting a background investigation or accepting a prior background investigation from another agency.
Therefore, DPSAC cannot initiate for a background investigation, provide Prescreening Clearance for Entry on Duty or Authorize Badge Issuance for individuals in Tier 3 or Tier 5 Positions until these documents are collected.
Q.
How do I go about renewing my PIV Card (HHS ID Badge) during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A.
DPSAC has returned to offering badging services Monday through Friday. but will continue to require appointments between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM.
If you need to contact DPSAC to schedule an appointment, please email
ORSPersonnelSecurity@mail.nih.gov
or call 301-402-9755. DPSAC staff will be available to answer email and phone inquiries Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM.
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