“Sense of Urgency” to Fixes Coming for Long-Delayed Background Check System

The new director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is promising to fix cost overruns and yearslong delays in implementing a new federal background check system, known as the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS). NBIS was supposed to be fully functional in 2019.

In testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Federal Workforce subcommittee, DCSA Director David Cattler told lawmakers frustrated on the slow pace of implementation that he’s committed to getting NBIS working to its full potential.

“We're eight-and-a-half years into a three-year program. We’ve spent $1.345 billion on a $700 million program that was begun in 2016,” said Director Cattler, who assumed his position in March 2024. “That's why I have a sense of urgency. But at the same time, I recognize that we've got to catch our breath and make sure we get it straight before we move forward.”  

Director Cattler noted that the Department of Defense (DOD) initiated a 90-day recovery plan for NBIS this spring designed to fix “problems including NBIS’s cost, its delivery schedule and its overall performance.”

Lawmakers expressed hope that Director Cattler can get NBIS on track, noting that DCSA clears about 95 percent of all federal employees. They also warned that delays in clearing put U.S. national security in jeopardy. 

“Today’s discussion is not a bureaucratic formality, but a necessity. We must work together to ensure the security, efficiency and accountability of a system that plays a vital role in safeguarding our national interests,” said Subcommittee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX).

Other lawmakers noted that delays in clearing employees, are costing the federal government talent.

“Extensive wait times force talented agency recruits to pursue employment outside of government when their security clearance process stretches for months and sometimes years,” said Ranking Member Kweisi Mfume (D-MD). “The bottom line is that our government’s security clearance process cannot keep up with the challenges we face at home and abroad if we do not address shortcomings within its basic IT systems.”

GAO Perspective

Also testifying was Alissa Czyz, Government Accountability Office (GAO) Director in Defense Capabilities and Management. GAO is one of DOD’s biggest critics over NBIS implementation and published multiple reports citing DOD and DCSA for failures.

“I can’t emphasize enough that [DoD] needs to embrace key program management principles, like having a reliable schedule and cost estimate,” Director Czyz said. “Without these, programs will continue to suffer setbacks.”

NBIS is designed to replace legacy background investigation IT systems, as DOD took over for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) after a 2015 data breach.

“NBIS simply cannot fail,” said Director Czyz. “Having fully functional and secure IT systems to conduct personnel vetting is paramount to keeping our country safe.”

NBIS also underpins Trusted Workforce 2.0, a government-wide initiative that calls for continuous vetting of federal employees.

The continuous vetting involves automated regular reviews to ensure individuals still meet security requirements.