OPM Seal U.S. Office of Personnel Management

FY 2000
Budget Justification/Performance Plan

(Investigations Service)

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INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE
(dollar amounts in thousands)
(Investigations Service Information for the next 2 pages)

RESOURCES

FY 1998 Actual

FY 1999 Estimate

FY 2000 Request

FY 2000 Change
Obligations

$2,911

$3,141

 $3,141

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Full-Time Equivalents

29

29

29

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INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE INDEX

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY

OPM is responsible for ensuring the fitness and suitability of applicants for and appointees to positions in the Federal service. The Investigations Service (IS) provides policy guidance and oversight for agency security and suitability programs.

Through its security appraisal function, IS inspects and evaluates personnel security programs in other departments and agencies to fulfill our oversight responsibility and to ensure compliance with the provisions of E.O. 10450 and 12968.

In addition, IS oversees the conduct of investigations to determine the fitness and suitability of persons entering Federal positions. Investigations are conducted through a contract with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) corporation to resolve issues, enforce the civil service laws, rules and regulations, and to verify the qualifications of applicants for certain high level administrative and professional positions.

In order to meet expectations, IS develops in-house or recruits from other agencies, highly-experienced personnel security specialists who have hands-on experience in performing suitability adjudications and/or evaluating suitability and security programs. Our oversight program requires a high level of staff expertise in order to continue our credibility with the other agency security/suitability program managers whose programs we review and critique.

FY 2000 PRIORITY

IS’ priority for FY 2000 is to continue to ensure that only suitable individuals are hired for and remain in Federal positions. (IS Goal I)

OPM STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL I:  provide policy direction and leadership to recruit and retain the federal workforce required for the 21st century.

FY 2000 Resource Summary:

Obligations (000): $2,854

Full-Time Equivalents: 27
PERSONNEL INVESTIGATIONS
  • Ensure the suitability of applicants for and appointees to Federal positions.
IS Goal 1
FY 1999/2000: 		Only suitable applicants, appointees and employees are hired for, and remain in, the Federal competitive service.
Means Blue Arrow Head 

Determine applicant suitability when an agency or OPM office refers applications for resolution of serious issues to include:

  • Screening cases for seriousness and relevance.

  • Acting on cases with potentially serious issues for further investigation.

  • Proceeding with cases which require more extensive investigation.

  • Rating applicants ineligible for Federal service after review of issues surfaced in agencies’ recruiting.

  • Directing removals of appointees to Federal positions after case review, resolving them in favor of the subject, discontinuing cases for administrative reasons or, if appropriate, refer the case for agency adjudication.

  • In FY 1999/2000 we will refine timeliness standards set in FY 1998.

  • In FY 1999/FY 2000 we will continue on-going liaison with agencies, and host a Security Directors’ conference each year to reinforce investigative policies and procedures.
Blue Arrow Head  Continue to share information with agencies’ security offices regarding suitability adjudication to ensure suitability of all Federal employees.
    
Indicators/Performance Results Blue Arrow Head   Carry out suitability casework for agencies.
   

Suitability Decisions

FY 1998

FY 1999

FY 2000
Agency referrals

1,212

1,200

1,200
Determinations Completed

1,475

1,000

1,000
Extensive Investigation Completed

150

150

150

Suitability Decisions

FY 1998

FY 1999

FY 2000
Ineligible Rulings

98

75

75
Ineligible/Non Response Rulings

237

150

150
Direct Removals

53

50

50

 

Blue Arrow Head   Minimize the number of suitability decisions overturned by MSPB on appeal.

Nine percent were overturned in FY 1996 but none were overturned in FY 1998.
Blue Arrow Head   Timeliness of suitability case processing is maintained at standards established and refined in FY 1998.

For fieldwork scheduled as part of a suitability investigation, ninety percent (90%) of the cases will be delivered by the contractor not later than 35 or 75 days as set when the cases were scheduled.
Blue Arrow Head   Provide investigations policy guidance, disseminate information, and oversee agencies’ security and suitability programs.

In FY 1998 we expanded our information sharing with agencies by sponsoring a Security Directors’ conference to ensure that agency security personnel were informed of the changes brought about by Executive Order 12968.

  • Assess results of the OPM survey of HR Directors and HR Specialists.

Percent satisfied with suitability determinations information.

HR Directors

Percent Satisfied
Policy and Leadership 70.0%
Opportunity for Involvement 64.5%
    
HR Specialists Percent Satisfied
Information Sharing 67.2%
Technical Assistance 66.4%

 

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Web Page Created 14 May 1999