April 30, 2008

SUBJECT:  IRM – New ID Cards for Computer Access

 

            TO:      All NRCS Employees                                                                           File Code:  270-12                   SWCD Chairpersons & Staff               

                        ISDA – DSC Staff      

           

It has been about a year since we first started hearing about new Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards, part of the entire Federal Government’s move toward compliance with the President’s Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12).  USDA is now ready to move forward with their new identification cards, called the LincPass, which will be required for all USDA employees and partners working on common computing environment (CCE) computers by October 2009. 

 

The LincPass will be used to log on to CCE computers through a card reader installed on your computer.  LincPass cards will first be issued to all USDA employees and partners using laptops in the CCE.  Next, LincPass cards will be issued to all CCE desktop users by October 2009. 

 

The process for obtaining a LincPass PIV card will be:

·          You will receive an e-mail from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to make an appointment on-line at an enrollment station.  Employees and partners must have a background investigation on record to obtain a card.

·          At the appointment fingerprints will be scanned, a digital photo will be taken, and two forms of ID (one government issued) will be scanned.

·          Cards will be issued at a central location and mailed to enrollment stations.  About two weeks after your initial appointment you will be notified by e-mail that your card is ready to pick up, no appointment necessary.

·          You will need to return to the same enrollment station to obtain your card with one form of ID, and activate your card with a 6-8 digit pin number.

 

GSA enrollment stations are available at the FSA State Office in Indianapolis, and in surrounding states.  When you receive an e-mail to make an appointment, a choice of enrollment stations near your duty station will be provided.

 

In the future, LincPass will also be required for everyone needing unescorted access to USDA Service Centers by October 2011 (i.e. employees, contractors, volunteers, etc.).  If you are interested in more information on HSPD-12 and the PIV cards, you can login at http://lincpass.usda.gov for the latest information.  A presentation about how the process will work is available at http://hspd12.usda.gov/Documents/EmpTownHallPres_v10.pdf.

 

/s/

JANE E. HARDISTY

State Conservationist

 

cc:  Jennifer Boyle, Executive Director, IASWCD, Indianapolis, IN

       Nola Gentry, Chair, SSCB, West Lafayette, IN