It is the goal of the Office of Security, Department of Commerce to provide a safe and secure environment for all NOAA employees. The events of 9/11 have further strengthened the requirements to screen all visitors requesting access to Federal facilities. To that end, access to the NOAA Silver Spring Metro Center (SSMC) Complex is limited to only authorized individuals. NOAA employees and contractors with current badges gain access by processing through the turnstiles at all main lobbies and/or garage entrances. Department of Commerce employees may gain access through all main lobbies. Visitors, are considered to be any individual without a NOAA or Department of Commerce issued Badge, may obtain access when authorized by a NOAA employee. Visitors to the SSMC will only be processed through the main lobbies of NOAA facilities.

NOAA offices that sponsor conferences, meetings, working groups, etc. can help speed the visitor access process by providing the Office of Security with as much advance notice as possible. The Office of Security will ensure the Security Officer(s) working at the respective lobby entrance have the information for processing NOAA visitors. Without advance notification, Security Officers must contact a NOAA employee to verify the official nature of the visit and/or sponsor the individual entering NOAA facilities. This can cause considerable delay.

In order to provide minimum delays for visitors, please E-MAIL the Office of Security (VisitorAccess.Security@noaa.gov). The e-mail should contain the name of the visitor, date, approximate time, building number of visit and sponsor’s name and number or call (301) 713-0954 when immediate attention is needed. Last minute notifications will cause delays. Please inform your visitors that they must show the Security Officer a valid picture ID (drivers license, military ID, etc.). They will be required to sign-in at the building security desk, process through the walk-through magnetometer, and have their items x-rayed or searched. Visitors are issued a time expiring NOAA Visitor Badge valid for one day only.

 
You must display a valid U.S. Government issued badge to the Security Officer, to be admitted into NOAA controlled space. If, for any reason, you do not have your badge, you must sign-in with the Security Officer at the desk. The Security Officer will confirm your employment and then issue you a one-day Visitor badge. Any time you enter the facility after business hours (6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.), you will be required to sign-in with the Security Officer at the desk and display your NOAA Badge. NOTE: It is mandatory that employees and contractors wear their NOAA badge on their outer garment, above the waist, at all times while in NOAA facilities.
 

 Business Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

 Visitors may be admitted during business hours after signing in with the Security Officer at the desk. The visitor must provide the Security Officer a valid photo identification and destination. Valid identification may be a Driver's License, employer identification or other picture ID.  The visitor(s) will be issued a one-day Visitor badge. Family members may be admitted, but must be escorted while in the buildings so they do not disrupt U. S. Government business. All visitors must sign-in with the Security Officer at the desk upon arrival and return the Visitor badge to the Security desk when departing the building for the day. NOTE: Visitors must wear their Visitor badge on their outer garment, above the waist, at all times while in NOAA facilities.

After Business Hours: 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.

 All NOAA employees will be required to have their badge to enter the NOAA facilities. If employees do not have their badge, the Security Officers can deny access. Visitors are admitted to facilities only upon prior approval by the sponsoring manager and the Office of Security at NOAA. Sponsors can e-mail the Office of Security at (VisitorAccess.Security@noaa.gov) the date of visit, building number, time, visitor(s) names, and an available point of contact/phone number. All after-hours visitors must sign-in with the Security Officer at the desk upon arrival, be escorted by a NOAA employee at all times, and return the Visitor badge to the Security desk when departing the facility. A NOAA employee who wants to bring family members into the facility after business hours must complete an Escort Acknowledgment form (this applies to the Silver Spring Metro Center Complex and World Weather Building), which is available at each lobby security post.

 The NOAA ID Badge The NOAA ID Badge is obtained from the Security Service Center. All ID badges are requested by completing a Investigation Cover Sheet, located in the Forms section of this web page. This coversheet is a PDF format and can be filled in online, printed off and then faxed to our office at 301-713-0953. (Note: Request for Contractor badges must include the ending date for the contract.) You must bring the completed Investigation Cover Sheet to the Office of Security at NOAA, SSMC#1, Silver Spring, MD. The hours for the Office of Security at NOAA, Service Center are from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you lose your NOAA ID Badge, you should contact the Office of Security at NOAA immediately, by calling
(301) 713-0954. Applicants must have: 1. a valid background investigation on file, and 2. Completed Applicant Training.

 Office door keys may be obtained from the NOAA Security Field Office. Send e-mail to VisitorAccess.Security@noaa.gov Subject:  Key Request, include room/door number, number of keys needed, name and phone number of each person that will have a copy of the key.  If your keys are lost or stolen, immediately notify the Office of Security at NOAA. If you are moving to another office, send a memorandum from your first line supervisor to the Office of Security at NOAA to request an exchange of old keys for new ones.

 If you leave NOAA, you are required to return your NOAA badge and door key(s) to the Office of Security at NOAA.

 A. Required paperwork for investigation - to receive a badge

14 days to 180 days:
1. Special Agreement Check (SAC) $58.00 (subject to change)
2. OFI Form 86C - Special Agreement Check page 2 - Code I
3. FD-258 - Applicant fingerprint chart
4. Two forms of  government issued ID
 

180 days or more:
1. National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI)
2. Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP)
3. FD-258 - Applicant fingerprint chart
4. OF 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment
5. Two Forms of ID
6.  CD-591  

All contractors must complete the Security Awareness Briefing before a badge is issued. The briefing may be taken on-line at http://www.osec.doc.gov/osy/noaa/NOAA Files/Training/Security Awareness/NOAA Intro to Security Awareness.pdf. The title of the briefing is "Introduction to Security Awareness Briefing."

There are other circumstances where a contractor will require a higher level of background check.  For additional information, please contact the Office of Security at (301) 713-0954

Q. Are all contractors required to complete the OF 306?

A. Yes.  If the investigation was completed by another agency more than 6 months ago you will be required to complete an OF 306.  Everyone that needs to complete an investigation will complete OF 306.

Q. What is the OFI-86C used for?

A. The OFI-86C (Special Agreements Check) is used for interns and contractors who have a contract that will last for more than 14 days, but less than 365 days.  This form is used as an investigative form by the Federal Government to verify criminal history.

Q. Why do I have to complete another set of fingerprints if I had it done recently?

A. If you were recently fingerprinted by the Office of Security at NOAA, your fingerprints were submitted as part of an investigation package. The person taking your fingerprints would ensure that your prints were OK before you were allowed to leave the office. However, if you came from another federal agency and a new investigation was needed to be completed, then a new set of fingerprints would be required in order to have a completed investigation package.