MEMORANDUM
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
TO: Personnel Security Agency Point of Contact
FROM: Donessa L. Gaspar, Chief, Security and Drug & Alcohol Testing Division
SUBJECT: Upcoming Suitability Adjudication Courses from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Valued Customers:
Interior Business Center's (IBC) Personnel Security Branch (PSB) wanted to take this opportunity to notify you of the upcoming Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sponsored suitability adjudication courses that are currently open for registration.
As mentioned in our PSB Customer Forum on 5/2/2024, OPM will be requiring each of PSB's non-DOI customers to begin making final adjudication determinations in PIPS/CVS themselves for all covered positions. This change is due to OPM's finding that an Agency may not delegate authority for final adjudications of covered positions outside of the Agency. There will be very few changes to PSB's processes and working relationships with our non-DOI customers, with limited exceptions, the largest of which is that each Agency will have to record the final adjudication for covered positions in PIPS/CVS based on a recommendation from PSB. PSB recommends that all our non-DOI clients designate at least two employees to enroll and complete adjudication training in FY25.
Please be advised that these classes fill up fast. The following message is from OPM:
We’re pleased to announce the schedules for the Fundamentals of Suitability for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators and Suitability Action Procedures for Suitability Adjudicators courses have been posted for the first and second quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025. Please visit our website to view schedules, course descriptions, and information on how to register. If the updated training schedule and registration information do not appear when you visit our website, you may need to clear cookies and other site data from your browser and refresh the page.
Registration:
Registration is limited to current Federal employees in the Executive Branch who have responsibility for making or assisting with suitability or fitness determinations. Federal contractors with responsibility for supporting an agency’s suitability/fitness adjudication process may also register for the course if sponsored by the Federal agency.
To register, please select an available class and complete the registration form through the link provided for that course. Please note that starting with courses in FY 2025 we will be using Microsoft Teams to manage registrations. Registrations will only be accepted with a valid government email for both the registrant and supervisor. Please note the registration deadlines for each course.
Once your registration is approved, you will receive an email confirmation. A calendar invite for the Q&A session (held the week prior to the course) will be sent approximately two weeks prior to the course date. The email will contain information on how to access the session, as well as the course materials and Introductory course, if applicable. Please email SuitEAtraining@opm.gov or call 724-794-7196 with any questions. There is no tuition fee for this course, but any expenses incurred by attendees, such as travel, meals, or lodging, are the responsibility of the agency.
If you elect to join a waitlist for a course, please consider registering for an available class as a backup. Waitlists are not guaranteed seats and are specific to that course date. If you are offered a seat from the waitlist, please cancel your registration for the class you selected as a backup.
Canceling your Attendance:
If you must cancel your registration for any reason, we ask that you do so as soon as possible so that others can be afforded the opportunity to attend in your spot. You can cancel by using the cancellation link at the bottom of your confirmation email.
Regards,
Donessa L. Gaspar
Chief, Security and Drug & Alcohol Testing Division