Overview of Clearance Process Problems, Reforms

Published in The Government Contractor, two Washington, DC, attorneys at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP completed an exceptionally well-researched and detailed overview (pdf) of problems in the security clearance process and assess progress toward reform. Their May 2006 paper is a must-read for anyone needing to get up-to-speed on the issue.

Among the topics the paper addresses:

• Identifies and explains four stages of the security clearance process—pre-investigation, investigation, adjudication, and appeals and reinvestigation;
• Identifies factors responsible for slowing clearance approvals;
• Reviews industry, quasi-government, legislative, and administrative efforts at reform;
• Discusses in detail DoD-specific clearance process reform efforts;
• Explains the costs to industry of continued clearance processing backlogs
• Recommends steps contractors should take to minimize negative impact of delays

Filed Under: Reform, Laws & Regulations, Reference