Security Clearance Application (SF-86) Assistance Guide

ALLIANCE FOR CONTRACTORS

Security Clearance Application (SF-86) Assistance Guide
Standard Priority | Personnel Security Division

Executive Summary: Security Clearance Benefits for Contractors

Security clearances represent one of the most valuable professional credentials in government contracting, providing access to classified federal projects and significantly enhanced earning potential. For Alliance for Contractors members, obtaining and maintaining security clearances opens doors to exclusive opportunities in defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure sectors.

Key Benefits:
  • Salary Premium: Cleared professionals earn 15-25% more than non-cleared counterparts
  • Job Security: Access to stable, long-term government contracts
  • Career Advancement: Priority consideration for senior-level positions
  • Market Demand: Over 4.2 million Americans hold security clearances with ongoing demand
  • Network Access: Entry into exclusive cleared professional communities

Clearance Levels and Requirements

Clearance Level Investigation Type Processing Time Typical Positions
Confidential National Agency Check (NAC) 2-4 months Administrative support, basic technical roles
Secret National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) 4-8 months Program analysts, IT specialists, project managers
Top Secret Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) 12-18 months Senior analysts, system architects, program directors
TS/SCI SSBI + Polygraph (may be required) 18-24 months Intelligence analysts, specialized technical roles

Complete SF-86 Completion Guidance

The Standard Form 86 (SF-86) is the cornerstone document for security clearance applications. This comprehensive questionnaire requires detailed personal, professional, and financial information spanning multiple years of your life history.

Pre-Application Preparation

Required Information Gathering Checklist:
  • Complete employment history (last 10 years minimum)
  • Education records and transcripts
  • Residence history (last 10 years with exact dates)
  • Personal references (non-relatives who have known you well)
  • Financial records including credit reports
  • Foreign travel documentation
  • Court records for any legal issues
  • Military service records (if applicable)
  • Previous security clearance information

SF-86 Section-by-Section Completion Guide

Section Key Requirements Common Pitfalls Alliance Assistance
Section 6: Residence History Complete addresses for 10 years, exact dates Gaps in timeline, incomplete addresses Address verification service
Section 11: Employment All employment, unemployment periods explained Missing short-term positions, contractor roles Employment history reconstruction
Section 13: Education All schools attended, degrees, certifications Incomplete school information, missing dates Educational records assistance
Section 18: References People who know you well, current contact info Using relatives, outdated contact information Reference coordination service
Section 20: Foreign Activities All foreign contacts, travel, business interests Forgetting brief trips, casual contacts Foreign activity documentation
Section 26: Financial Record Credit issues, bankruptcies, financial problems Incomplete disclosure, minimizing issues Financial counseling referrals

Critical Completion Principles

1. Complete Honesty
Full disclosure is mandatory - investigators will discover inconsistencies
2. Accuracy First
Verify all dates, addresses, and contact information before submission
3. Detail Matters
Provide comprehensive explanations for any issues or discrepancies
4. Professional Review
Have experienced personnel review your completed SF-86

Background Investigation Preparation Procedures

Once your SF-86 is submitted, the formal background investigation begins. Proper preparation can significantly streamline this process and avoid delays that could impact your clearance timeline and career opportunities.

Investigation Process Overview

  1. Initial Review: SF-86 reviewed for completeness and consistency
  2. Records Check: Criminal, financial, and employment verification
  3. Reference Interviews: Personal and professional references contacted
  4. Subject Interview: Comprehensive interview with investigator
  5. Additional Investigation: Follow-up on any discrepancies or concerns
  6. Adjudication: Final clearance determination made

Reference Preparation Strategy

Reference Coordination Checklist:
  • Contact all listed references before submission
  • Explain the clearance process and their role
  • Provide them with your resume and timeline
  • Ensure they have current contact information
  • Prepare them for potential follow-up interviews
  • Identify backup references if primary contacts become unavailable
  • Brief references on any potential issues they might be asked about

Subject Interview Preparation

The personal subject interview (PSI) is often the most critical component of the investigation process. Alliance for Contractors provides comprehensive interview preparation to ensure members present themselves professionally and address any concerns effectively.

Interview Best Practices:
  • Review your SF-86 thoroughly before the interview
  • Bring supporting documentation for any complex issues
  • Answer questions directly and completely
  • Don't volunteer information beyond what's asked
  • If you don't know something, say so rather than guessing
  • Remain calm and professional throughout the process

Clearance Maintenance and Continuous Evaluation

Maintaining your security clearance requires ongoing vigilance and compliance with security protocols. The implementation of Continuous Evaluation (CE) programs means that cleared personnel are subject to ongoing monitoring throughout their clearance period.

Continuous Evaluation Process

Monitoring Element Frequency Data Sources Action Required
Criminal Records Real-time FBI databases, court records Immediate incident reporting
Financial Status Quarterly Credit bureaus, public records SF-86C for significant changes
Foreign Travel Per occurrence Self-reporting, customs data Pre-travel briefings
Employment Changes Per occurrence Self-reporting, contractor notification Transfer procedures

Reportable Events and Incidents

Mandatory Reporting Requirements:
  • Any arrest, citation, or criminal charge
  • Significant financial difficulties or bankruptcy
  • Changes in marital status
  • Foreign travel (depending on destination and purpose)
  • Contact with foreign nationals in official capacity
  • Unauthorized disclosure of classified information
  • Mental health treatment (in specific circumstances)
  • Alcohol or substance abuse incidents
  • Changes in citizenship status

Reinvestigation Timeline

Clearance Level Reinvestigation Period Process Type Typical Duration
Confidential 15 years National Agency Check 2-3 months
Secret 10 years Periodic Reinvestigation 6-12 months
Top Secret 5 years Periodic Reinvestigation 12-18 months

Clearance Transfer Procedures for Government Contracting

One of the most valuable aspects of holding a security clearance is its transferability between cleared positions. Alliance for Contractors facilitates smooth clearance transfers to help members maximize their career opportunities while maintaining their cleared status.

Transfer Process Overview

Step 1
Verify current clearance status and reciprocity requirements
Step 2
Coordinate with losing and gaining Facility Security Officers
Step 3
Complete required transfer documentation
Step 4
Execute seamless transition without clearance gaps

Critical Transfer Considerations

Transfer Timeline Management:
  • Active Status: Clearance must be in active use within 24 months
  • Break in Service: Gaps over 24 months require reinvestigation
  • Reciprocity: Different agencies may have varying acceptance criteria
  • SCI Access: May require separate transfer procedures
  • Polygraph Requirements: Some positions may require additional screening

Agency Reciprocity Matrix

From Agency To Agency Reciprocity Level Additional Requirements
DoD DHS Full None typically required
DoD DOE Limited Q clearance may require separate process
DoD IC Agencies Variable SCI processing, possible polygraph
Civilian Agency DoD Full JPAS/DISS registration

Personnel Security Requirements and Compliance Monitoring

Maintaining security clearance eligibility requires adherence to strict personnel security standards. Alliance for Contractors provides ongoing compliance monitoring and training to help members maintain their cleared status throughout their careers.

Security Education and Training Requirements

Training Type Frequency Duration Delivery Method
Initial Security Briefing Upon clearance grant 2-4 hours In-person or virtual
Annual Refresher Training Annually 1-2 hours Online or classroom
Travel Security Briefing Pre-travel to sensitive countries 30-60 minutes In-person or phone
Termination Briefing Upon clearance termination 30-60 minutes In-person required

Compliance Monitoring Framework

Ongoing Compliance Areas:
  • Information Security: Proper handling of classified materials
  • Physical Security: Badge management and facility access protocols
  • Communications Security: Secure communication practices
  • Personal Conduct: Adherence to security guidelines in personal life
  • Reporting Obligations: Timely reporting of required incidents
  • Travel Security: Compliance with foreign travel requirements
  • Financial Responsibility: Maintaining financial stability

Integration with Federal Contracting Opportunities

Security clearances unlock access to billions of dollars in federal contracting opportunities. Alliance for Contractors maintains a comprehensive database of cleared positions and provides members with exclusive access to opportunities requiring security clearances.

High-Demand Cleared Skill Areas

Skill Category Clearance Level Market Demand Salary Range
Cybersecurity Secret/TS Very High $90K - $180K
Data Analytics Secret/TS/SCI High $85K - $160K
Systems Engineering Secret/TS High $95K - $170K
Program Management Secret/TS Moderate-High $100K - $190K
Intelligence Analysis TS/SCI High $80K - $150K

Federal Agency Contracting Opportunities

Major Cleared Contracting Sectors:
  • Department of Defense: Largest employer of cleared contractors
  • Intelligence Community: CIA, NSA, DIA, and other IC agencies
  • Department of Homeland Security: Critical infrastructure protection
  • Department of Energy: Nuclear security and energy infrastructure
  • Department of Justice: Law enforcement and security programs
  • NASA: Space programs and sensitive research

Cleared Personnel Networking and Job Placement Assistance

Alliance for Contractors operates an exclusive cleared personnel network, providing members with unparalleled access to career opportunities, professional development, and industry connections within the security clearance community.

Networking Services

Service Description Frequency Member Benefit
Cleared Professional Meetups Regional networking events for cleared professionals Monthly Direct industry connections
Virtual Career Fairs Online events connecting members with cleared employers Quarterly Direct employer access
Mentorship Program Pairing new cleared professionals with experienced mentors Ongoing Career guidance and development
Industry Briefings Updates on cleared market trends and opportunities Monthly Market intelligence

Job Placement Assistance Program

Placement Services Include:
  • Exclusive access to cleared-only job board
  • Resume optimization for cleared positions
  • Interview preparation for security-sensitive roles
  • Clearance verification and documentation
  • Salary negotiation assistance
  • Contract-to-hire transition support
  • Clearance transfer coordination
  • Ongoing career development planning

Alliance for Contractors Clearance Support Contact Information

Security Clearance Division
Phone: 1-800-CLEARANCE (1-800-253-2726)
Email: [email protected]
Secure Portal: https://secure.allianceforcontractors.org/clearance

Emergency Incident Reporting:
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-INCIDENT
Secure Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST
Emergency Support: Available 24/7 for urgent clearance matters

This document contains sensitive information related to security clearance processes. Distribution should be limited to authorized personnel only. For questions regarding this guidance, contact the Alliance for Contractors Security Clearance Division.

Document Version 2024.1 | Last Updated: January 2024 | Next Review: July 2024