Education Verification

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. Specifically, the proposed contract action will provide the DCSA Federal Investigative Records Enterprise with education verifications through NSC for all participating educational institutions, claimed within the available jurisdictions, while appropriately safeguarding the confidentiality of data exchanged. Approximately 3,700 colleges and universities partner with 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 and attendance 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. The majority of post-secondary educational 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. The period of performance will contain a twelve (12)-month base period, plus two (2) 12-month option periods.