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Defence Vetting Agency - Frequently Asked Questions - Contractors and Consultants

Questions about Contractors and Consultants

Do I need a security clearance, or does my company need security cleared staff to bid for MOD contracts?
No. You do not need to hold security clearances to bid for MOD work advertised in OJEC and other sources. The MOD contracting procedures make sure that there is no competitive advantage in having prior security clearances.

Requests for any clearances required are raised during the contractual process. A number of commercial organisations advertise for staff with security clearances. This practice is neither necessary nor desirable, and is strongly discouraged by the MOD.

How do I get a security clearance?
First you need a sponsor. Individuals and companies cannot ask for a security clearance unless they are sponsored, and you will not be sponsored unless they are contracted (or are in the process of being contracted) to work on one or more specific MOD classified projects.

For large contracts, an officer in the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) or Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) - typically a Project Officer will be your sponsor. For staff in sub-contracted organisations, sponsorship will be provided through the prime contractor.

Why does MOD insist on having sponsors for security clearances? Why can't I just apply for a security clearance?
A security clearance provides a certain level of assurance at a point in time, as to an individual's suitability to have trusted access to sensitive information.

It does not provide a guarantee of future reliability, and all security clearances are kept under review to ensure that the necessary level of assurance is maintained. This review is carried out by Government Departments and Government-sponsored contractors, who are responsible for the oversight and aftercare of individuals granted a security clearance.

This would not be possible in the case of private individuals. Additionally, the Defence Vetting Agency is funded and staffed to meet forecast requirements for security vetting. It could not accommodate large numbers of additional clearances on an ad hoc basis.

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Related Pages

The Vetting System
Safeguards
The Vetting Process
Assessment Of Suitability
Personal Finance
Privacy And Data Protection
Frequently Asked Questions

Defence Vetting Agency

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