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On March 30, 2020, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) published COVID-19 NISP Guidance to describe for cleared industry how DCSA will conduct its oversight mission during the pandemic. That guidance includes, among other things:

  • DCSA has suspended all enhanced security vulnerability assessments (ESVA) and other on-site activities. DCSA Industrial Security Representatives (ISR) will instead conduct continuous monitoring engagements through virtual outreach.
  • Cleared contractors with safeguarding remain responsible for ensuring classified material remains appropriately secured, even in areas implementing mandatory quarantines. DCSA provides guidance regarding handling end-of-day checks of security containers, approved closed areas, and special access program facilities during the pandemic.
  • Cleared contractor personnel furloughed or not in pay status should be removed from access in JPAS and need not complete annual refresher training. Overdue training must be completed within 60-days of returning to normal operations.
  • DCSA will extend all information systems’ Authorizations to Operate (ATO) expiring before April 18, 2020 for an additional 90 days. Security Control Assessment (SCA) activity will continue, but the on-site portion will be deferred.
  • DCSA will continue to process facility clearance (FCL) actions. However, the inquiries telephone line is suspended, and contractors seeking status updates or other assistance may instead leave detailed voicemail messages on the Knowledge Center line at 888-282-7682 or e-mail the Facility Clearance Branch (FCB) at fcb@mail.mil.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Consolidated Adjudication Facility (CAF) call center is temporarily suspended. Inquiries may be e-mailed to whs.meade.dodcaf.mbx.dodcaf-callcenter@mail.mil, and an agent will follow up.

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Photo of Adelicia R. Cliffe Adelicia R. Cliffe

Adelicia Cliffe is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, a member of the Steering Committee for the firm’s Government Contracts Group, and a member of the International Trade Group. Addie is also co-chair of the firm’s National Security practice. Addie has been…

Adelicia Cliffe is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, a member of the Steering Committee for the firm’s Government Contracts Group, and a member of the International Trade Group. Addie is also co-chair of the firm’s National Security practice. Addie has been named as a nationally recognized practitioner in the government contracts field by Chambers USA.

Photo of Stephanie Crawford Stephanie Crawford

Stephanie Crawford is a trusted counselor to a broad range of industries facing reorganizations, transactions, national security issues, and questions of supply chain management. Stephanie provides related mergers and acquisitions, counseling, litigation, international arbitration, and investigations services to clients in the aerospace and

Stephanie Crawford is a trusted counselor to a broad range of industries facing reorganizations, transactions, national security issues, and questions of supply chain management. Stephanie provides related mergers and acquisitions, counseling, litigation, international arbitration, and investigations services to clients in the aerospace and defense, communications, energy, information technology, and consumer products sectors.

Stephanie has substantial experience with both buy-side and sell-side transactions. She has led government contracts diligence for numerous private equity entities and defense contractors. She assists clients with navigating post-closing government requirements, including unique license transfers and approvals; novation and change of name regulations; and Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency communications and foreign ownership, control, and influence (FOCI) mitigation.

Stephanie counsels clients on supply chain, sourcing, and national security regulations and requirements. Such counseling includes compliance with the Defense Production Act, including priority orders, ratings and associated regulations; the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act; and National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) regulations. She is also known for her ability to solve immediate and business-threatening System for Award Management (SAM) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) CAGE Code problems.

Stephanie defends government contractors facing potential tort litigation with a nexus to their government contracts and facing supply chain and national security-related investigations, litigation, and arbitrations.

Stephanie’s pro bono practice focuses on a broad range of veterans’ issues, including disability ratings and discharge upgrades