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Sponsor

The Sponsor acts on behalf of the Department of Commerce when requesting the issuance of an Access Control Card and/or a PIV Card for an Applicant. This process includes the completion of appropriate identity authentication and verification of background investigations by the Sponsor.

Sponsor Qualifications

  • Possess a PIV Card
  • Be in a position of responsibility
    • Human Resources (HR) Advisor, HR Specialist, or HR Assistant for DOC employees
    • Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer Representative (COR), or Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) for DOC contractors
  • Be certified through training on Sponsor responsibilities
  • Possess an authorization memo from the Agency Identity Management Official

Becoming A Sponsor

A Sponsor must have already received their PIV card and completed the following steps to receive a Sponsor Certification:

The new Sponsor will receive an appointment memorandum identifying their responsibilities as a PIV Sponsor for the Department. In addition, they will receive two separate emails from the USAccess system. The first will include their username; the second will include their password.


Sponsoring A New Applicant

The identity-proofing process takes many forms, depending upon whether the Applicant is an employee or contractor, and whether they are in local or remote proximity to the PIV Card Issuing Facility (PCIF). Employees and contractors will be issued an Access Control Card based on a minimum of a successfully adjudicated National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI). This is the first step in receiving a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card. 


For DOC Employees: 

When an individual is made a tentative offer of employment, their Sponsor initiates the process for the Applicant to be issued an Access Control Card in order to gain access to the building. This is an interim step until the employee obtains a PIV card. 

The Sponsor invites the Employee/Applicant into the Electronic Questionnaire Investigations Process (e-QIP) and provides support to complete the appropriate documentation:

  • Standard Forms – based on position sensitivity:
    • An electronic Standard Form (SF)-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions;
    • SF-85P Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions; or
    • SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions
  • All associated release documents, as identified on the required Form I-9:
    • Fair Credit Reporting Act form
    • OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment
    • Medical Release form

Upon completion of the Employee/Applicant’s e-QIP, the Sponsor delivers all supporting documentation to the Counterespionage Division, Office of Security, (HCHB Room 1521). Sponsors at facilities other than the Herbert C. Hoover Building should check with their Servicing Security Office for the local procedure.


For DOC Contractors:

Contractors’ Sponsors (CO, COR, or COTR) must check with their local Field Servicing Security Office to determine if that facility is currently issuing PIV Cards to Contractors.

If yes, the Sponsor invites the Contractor/Applicant into e-QIP and provides support to complete the appropriate documentation: 

  • Standard Forms – based on position sensitivity:
    • An electronic Standard Form (SF)-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions;
    • SF-85P Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions; or
    • SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions
  • All associated release documents, such as:
    • Fair Credit Reporting Act form
    • OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment, and/or
    • Medical Release form
  • The Sponsor completes the CD-591 form for the Contractor/Applicant

Upon completion of the Contractor/Applicant’s e-QIP and the CD-591 (Department of Commerce Personal Identity Verification [PIV] Request), the Sponsor delivers all supporting documentation to the Servicing Security Officer.

If no, the Contractor/Applicant will only be issued an Access Control Card.


For Both Employee and Contractor Applicants:

Upon completing the steps above, the Sponsor instructs the Applicant to complete the on-line Applicant PIV Training to receive their Applicant Certificate. This certificate must be retained for future verification.

As explained in the Sponsor training, the Sponsor verifies two forms of original identification presented by the Applicant (as listed on Form I-9); one of which must be a valid photo ID issued by a state or Federal government.

The Sponsor completes and signs the I-9 form. The Applicant is now ready to receive an Access Control Card and the appropriate steps have been taken to initiate the request for a PIV Card. Upon the Applicant’s entrance on duty, the Sponsor will escort the Applicant to the Access Control Card issuing facility.        

PIV Card 

The Sponsor must then enter the new employee or contractor information into the USAccess system to initiate enrollment for a PIV Card. The Applicant will be notified when and where the PIV Card is available to be picked up.

Contact Information

For additional information contact the Office of Security, Plans, Programs and Compliance Division, by email at [email protected].

Training:            

1. Click here to access the training required before a PIV Sponsor can request a PIV Card for an Applicant. Be sure to print out and retain your certificate of completion with your Issuer ID Number. You will need this number to perform your role as PIV Sponsor.

  • Click here: http://learning.doc.gov and log onto the appropriate bureau.
  • While logged in to the appropriate bureau, type "USAccess" in the search engine.
  • Choose your assigned role and complete the online training.
  • Once you have completed the training, print out and retain your certificate of completion. You will need this number to perform your role as PIV Sponsor.

Out-Processing:            

Roles for Out-Processing Non-Government Applicants:

  • A notification is made to the COR to separate the non-government individual.
  • The COR is responsible for the following:
    • Collecting non-government PIV Credential, keys, and other GFE.
    • Completing out-processing paperwork.
    • Emailing paperwork to HCHB Security Service Center using Kiteworks.
    • Returning credential and keys to HCHB Security Service Center.
  • OSY Security Service Center is responsible for the following:
    • Upon receiving paperwork from COR, disabling physical access.
    • Updating Security Manager. (If a non-government individual holds a clearance, Security manager will be updated by Personnel Security.)
    • Emailing out-processing form to the USAccess sponsor, Joseph Inaldo, via Kiteworks.
  • The Sponsor is responsible for the following:
    • Upon receiving paperwork, disabling PIV Credential in USAccess.
    • Updating HSPD-12 internal controls.

Out-Processing Procedures:

It is necessary that the following procedures be followed for all out-processing contractors no longer required to access HCHB:

  • Please complete the HCHB Contractor Out-Processing Form
    • The form is to be completed using the fillable fields (handwritten forms are no longer accepted).
  • Please either email the completed form using Kiteworks to [email protected] or print, then return the completed form to the HCHB Security Service Center (Rm. 1522) along with the PIV card and any other government issued keys and/or access cards to complete the contractor out-processing.

Kiteworks:

All forms retaining PII should be sent via Kiteworks. For instructions on how to register and/or use Kiteworks visit this site.