Federal Contract Security FAQ for Suppliers

Question 1

Is Reliability Status a security clearance?

Accepted Answer

No. Reliability Status is officially a personnel security status rather than a security clearance. It is generally the baseline screening required before an individual may access Protected A or Protected B information, assets or worksites. Secret and Top Secret are personnel security clearances and normally build on Reliability Status.

Question 2

Are Protected and Classified just two levels on the same scale?

Accepted Answer

No. Protected and Classified are distinct information categories. Classified information includes Confidential, Secret and Top Secret information where unauthorized disclosure could harm the national interest. Protected information includes Protected A, B and C information where disclosure could harm an individual, organization or other non-national interest.

Question 3

What are the actual tracks of security requirement?

Accepted Answer

Federal contract security may involve three separate tracks: organization screening, personnel screening, and site or information safeguards. Organization screening may include Designated Organization Screening or Facility Security Clearance. Personnel screening may include Reliability Status, Secret or Top Secret. Site safeguards may include Document Safeguarding Capability when protected or classified material must be stored or processed at the supplier's premises.

Question 4

Does the Contract Security Program screen 90 percent of federal private-sector contracts?

Accepted Answer

No. The often-cited 90 percent figure refers to organizations that were screened through the Contract Security Program but later never used the screening for a contract or subcontract requiring security screening. It does not mean that 90 percent of all federal private-sector contracts require security screening.

Question 5

Does my company's owner automatically act as CSO, ACSO and KSO?

Accepted Answer

No. An organization registered in the Contract Security Program must appoint a Company Security Officer. An Alternate Company Security Officer may also be appointed. A Key Senior Official is a separate role used in organization screening. In a small organization, one individual may sometimes perform more than one role, but the roles are not automatically assigned to the owner.

Question 6

Do bidders need to be cleared before submitting a bid?

Accepted Answer

Not always. For many procurements managed through Public Services and Procurement Canada, bidders may submit a proposal and complete the required screening before contract award. However, the solicitation may require screening earlier, and different requirements may apply to non-PSPC procurements, standing offers, supply arrangements, foreign requirements or NATO-related work. Suppliers must follow the Security Requirements Check List and the mandatory requirements in the specific solicitation.

Question 7

How long does a clearance or screening stay valid?

Accepted Answer

Personnel security screening generally has defined validity periods. Reliability Status and Secret or NATO Secret screening are commonly valid for 10 years, while Top Secret or COSMIC Top Secret screening is commonly valid for 5 years. Organization screening operates differently and may be reviewed, maintained, renewed or terminated depending on whether the organization continues to have an active security requirement.

Federal Contract Security FAQ for Suppliers | CNAP Canada FAQ sur la sécurité des contrats fédéraux à l'intention des fournisseurs | CNAP Canada

Federal Contract Security FAQ for Suppliers | CNAP Canada
FAQ sur la sécurité des contrats fédéraux à l'intention des fournisseurs | CNAP Canada