What to Know about DCSA’s Adjudication and Vetting Services

Formerly known as the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s (DCSA) Adjudication and Vetting Services (AVS) is responsible for adjudicating background investigations and monitoring continuous vetting alerts for the DoD, which includes military service members, civilians, contractors, congressional staff, capitol police, and consultants. Using the “Whole Person Concept”, the AVS reviews all available information to determine whether to grant or have continued eligibility for access to classified information, occupy a position of public trust, or be eligible for a government credential under HSPD-12 guidelines.

So, what happens when someone is issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) denying eligibility for any of the above? The AVS Security Review Proceedings gives applicants three options: a personal appearance with AVS; sending in a written response to the issues identified in the SOR; or not responding at all, which would result in an automatic denial. If the applicant chooses to address information in the SOR either in person or in writing, the AVS will review the information submitted to determine whether the issues were sufficiently mitigated.

If the AVS determines the issues were not mitigated, then the applicant (depending on their employment status) has the option to submit a written appeal to their agency’s component Personnel Security Appeal Board (PSAB) or request a personal appearance at the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA). If the applicant elects to appeal to DOHA, the presiding judge will make a recommendation to the component PSAB to either grant or deny eligibility for them to make the final decision.