Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Education Verification

DCSA is responsible for conducting the majority of Background Investigations (BI) for the Federal Government to support suitability, national security clearances, and regulatory investigations. As part of the investigative process, DCSA requires education and degree verifications for subjects of DCSA investigations. Education verifications are required to verify if a subject of investigation claims attendance and/or a degree from an educational institution. DCSA is the primary investigative service provider for the Federal Government, conducting 95% of all background investigations for over 100 agencies. This acquisition will fulfill the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS) and the Federal Personnel Vetting Standards (FPVS) requirement to obtain educational data and verification for each degree and/or period of education listed within the scope of a subject’s background investigation.

Approximately 3,700 colleges and universities partner with National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), covering 97% of the enrolled student population, and NSC’s DegreeVerify program provides access to information on over 95% of all postsecondary degrees in the United States. Educational institutions have been consolidating degree verification services through NSC for cost savings and ease of access by parties needing this information, including potential employers, Government agencies, and the subjects themselves. Many of the participating education institutions verify education solely through NSC, making it both a critical and efficient resource for DCSA in conducting background investigations, and in producing consistent, timely, quality investigative products. Additionally, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has further pushed institutions and organizations to partner with NSC due to the decentralization of offices and the increase in work from home employment.

Specifically, the proposed contract action will provide DCSA with education verifications for all participating educational institutions, claimed within the available jurisdictions, while appropriately safeguarding the confidentiality of data exchanged. NSC will provide access to records already in its possession and obtain records requested but not already maintained in its systems from the participating schools through its DegreeVerify program. DCSA will manually submit record requests via NSC’s website graphical user interface access and immediately receive results.