SWFT Fingerprinting Program Mean Big Changes Ahead
SWFT Fingerprinting Program Means Big Changes Ahead for Facility Security Officers
No longer will hard copy fingerprint cards be accepted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As detailed in a memorandum issued on July 29, 2010, the Under Secretary of Defense is enacting a requirement that all Department of Defense (DoD) components transition to electronic capture and submission of fingerprint images in support of all background investigations by December 31, 2013 (e-Fingerprint memo).
No longer will the Defense Security Service (DSS) be providing FD-258 cards, a change which affects and impacts not just federal employees but all contractors cleared under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). All fingerprints must be taken and submitted electronically through DMDC’s Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission (SWFT).
What does this mean for the work of our Facility Security Officers?
Fingerprints are still required for initial investigations, but now they should and must be submitted through SWFT immediately after the e-QIP has been released to the PSMO-I. (Please note: it is not necessary to associate the e-QIP number with the electronic fingerprint file.) The Facility Security Officer (FSO) can them confirm OPM has processed the fingerprints by checking SII in JPAS, which indicates a “SAC” closed. Fingerprint results are valid for 120 days.
This transition is an important one, one intended to support the goals established by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and the implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12. To that end, it is important that all companies immediately begin taking the necessary steps necessary to comply, and submit electronic fingerprints via the Secure Web Fingerprint Transmission (SWFT) no later than September 30, 2016.
Effective October 1, 2016, all fingerprints associated with SON 346W (Industry), must be submitted electronically to the Office of Personnel Management
If they are not submitted electronically the fingerprints will be rejected. Also, any investigation request received and remaining without corresponding electronic fingerprint data for a period that exceeds 14 days will be rejected.
IsI can help keep your security facility secure, and in compliance with the SWFT fingerprinting program.
IsI operates the region’s first Digital Fingerprinting Station in Herndon, Virginia, a facility that is open to and serves the government contracting community as it works alongside the federal government and the Defense Security Service (DSS) to make this transition to electronic fingerprinting as easy and seamless as possible.
For inquiries and related questions, feel free to Contact Us
