Industrial Security 

The Defense Security Service (DSS) Facility Clearance Branch processes contractors for Facility Security Clearance (FCL) based upon procurement need, issues FCLs, and monitors the contractor's continued eligibility in the NISP.

This site has been designed to help answer some commonly asked questions prospective cleared contractors, US Government Contracting Agencies, and US Prime Contractors have relative to the FCL process.

The left menu reflects an organization of categories and related topics for easy retrieval of guidance and information.

(12/22/09) Electronic Facility Clearance (e-FCL) Deployment:

Effective Jan. 19, 2010, ALL companies in process for a facility clearance or reporting a changed condition* will be required to use the DSS Electronic Facility Clearance (e-FCL) online application to submit their documents to DSS. The web-based e-FCL application, designed around the SF 328, "Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interests," requires companies to upload and submit their required information into the system. This information includes: the SF 328, list of key management personnel, list of stockholders, articles, bylaws, and other supporting documentation. In addition, companies currently operating under a FOCI mitigation agreement must use e-FCL for annual certification processing.

Since June 1, 2009, DSS has partnered with the Department of Energy (DOE) in the use of their Electronic Foreign Ownership Control or Influence (e-FOCI) application for the submission of the SF 328. DSS' e-FCL replaces this application. e-FCL is based on the DOE e-FOCI application, making the transition seamless to end users. All data submitted to DSS in the DOE e-FOCI application from June 1, 2009 through Jan. 18, 2010 will be migrated to e-FCL. This migration means that current e-FOCI users will not be required to re-enter already submitted data or create new application IDs or passwords to gain entry into e-FCL.

To help assist our customers in using this new application, DSS has created an e-FCL Submission Site User Guide which will be available on the e-FCL login screen beginning on Jan. 19, 2010.

Besides offering a streamlined and automated process for submission of the SF 328 and supporting documentation, e-FCL will enable DSS to process facility clearances more effectively and efficiently. Because e-FCL is web-based, it does not require any special software or equipment; the only requirement for using e-FCL is to have internet access.

With this implementation, all companies in process for a facility clearance must use the e-FCL application to submit documentation. Companies with existing facility clearances do not have to re-submit documents into e-FCL; however, notification of changed conditions must be submitted through e-FCL.

The e-FCL application meets government standards for the protection of proprietary and personal information. For more information on e-FCL, please contact your DSS Industrial Security Representative.

* As described in NISPOM 1-302g.