GAO Cites Shortcomings in OPM and DoD Clearance Processing

The General Accounting Office (GAO) has released a new report (highlights here) citing delays and quality concerns in security clearance processing at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Department of Defense (DoD).

Read news coverage on the GAO report here, here, and here. Readers may also find more information on the GAO report in a November 2 Defense Daily article.

US Representative Tom Davis (R-VA), a vocal advocate of security clearance reform, issued a press release on the GAO report. The release is also referenced here.

Among the GAO’s conclusions: some contractors wait over a year for a top-secret clearance; delays were found across all phases of the clearance process, including investigation and adjudication; delays were attributed to inexperienced investigators and inadequate use of technology; delays may increase contractor costs and put national security at risk; OPM did not accurately account for time used to process clearances, hindering oversight.

GAO also found that most cases investigated by OPM and referred to DoD contained unresolved issues – such an unexplained affluence or potential foreign influence – yet resulted in top-secret clearances being issued. GAO said that such quality concerns may threaten efforts to promote reciprocity of clearances amount federal agencies.

Filed Under: Reform, Procedures, Adjudication