Phase 2 of changes to the Contract Security Program: Additional tools and resources for company security officers and alternates

Webinars

There are 2 new pre-recorded webinars are now available to private sector organizations on how to obtain a designated organization screening and facility security clearance. For details and instructions on accessing each webinar, send an email to tpsgc.ssidsicsensibilisation-isscisdoutreach.pwgsc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Updated questions and answers

The questions and answers that were shared with your organization on March 17, 2022 are now available in phase 2 of changes to the security screening process. They were reformatted for the web for an improved navigation and reading experience and to clarify:

• the eligibility criteria for organization security screening
  • consult changes that came into effect on May 2, 2022
• when organizations must complete the application for registration (AFR) form
  • consult changes affecting organizations bidding on solicitations with security requirements
• the validity of clearances granted to holders of a PSPC-issued standing offer (SO) or supply arrangement (SA)
  • consult the new validity period for organization clearances granted on or after May 2, 2022
• when organizations holding a PSPC-issued SO or SA are permitted to sponsor a subcontractor
  • consult sponsoring a subcontractor under a Public Services and Procurement Canada issued standing offer or supply arrangement
• how the changes will affect users of online industrial security services
  • consult access to online industrial security services starting May 2, 2022

Next steps

The CSP is working on making the AFR form available online along with the guidance that was provided to your organization on March 17, 2022 in summer 2022. However, the form will be available to organizations in the Electronic Procurement Solution at the end of April 2022.

PSPC is reviewing the process for organizations to obtain, retain or upgrade their organization security clearance under PSPC pre-approved methods of supply, such as an issued SO or a SA. Any modifications to this process will be announced at a later date as part of the third phase of changes to the security screening process.

Lastly, to ensure alignment with federal procurement policy, the CSP will review the eligibility criteria for personnel screening and the guidance provided for phase 1 of changes to the security screening process. The CSP will also review the flexibility it exercised for organizations participating in non-PSPC managed solicitations. Any resulting adjustments to the eligibility criteria for personnel screening and to the scenarios accepted as justification to process personnel security screening requests will be communicated to you at a later date.

Contact us

If you have any questions, or require a copy of the AFR form that was shared on March 17, 2022, please contact the Contract Security Program's client service centre for assistance.