Opportunity: Notice of Intent to Sole Source for NLETS database

The Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness (OSEP), is the agency's physical and protective security authority. As such, OSEP is charged with implementing Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which ensures the quality and security of identification used to gain access to agency facilities and information systems, particularly where potential for enemies for the United States to damage critical infrastructure exists. OSEP is responsible for issuing HSPD-12 compliant credentials to agency employees and contractors. A critical element of HSPD-12 is the requirement for identity proofing, including the presentation of two forms of approved identity documentation. The HSPD-12 credentialing process also automates and codifies the requirement for background investigations on potential employees and contractors. OSEP needs the capability to verify and validate approved identity documents and to query a network of national and international law enforcement sources to ensure that credentials are only issued to individuals deemed trustworthy of access to agency facilities and information systems. To access information required for HSPD-12 mandated identity verification and validation, we need to maintain an agency membership with NLETS. NLETS is a 50l(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation owned and operated by the fifty States, districts and territories known as the Principal membership and is administered by a Board of Directors elected from those state law enforcement agencies. NLETS employs a small staff to run the system and network on a daily basis.