Frequently Asked Questions About SWFT

Do I need a SWFT account to use your service?

No. we are authorized to upload to SWFT on your behalf. Upon receipt of an agreement, we will send you the required authorization forms to be signed so we can upload to SWFT for you.

I have a SWFT account but may still want you to upload for me - can you do that?

Absolutely. You can choose when we upload for you and when you upload on your own - it's entirely up to you. Many customers like this as a backup option to their primary user in case of an emergency, illness, vacation, etc.

Is there any monthly fee or minimum number of submissions required to sign up for your service?

No. You only pay for the service when you request it. If that's once a year, or twenty times a month, that's what you'll pay for.

Do I have to sign a service agreement to use your services?

Yes. We simply need a signed agreement, which authorizes us to perform services for you, only upon your request. The agreement also provides you with written assurance that we will protect your employees' personally identifiable information (PII). We created this agreement, per section 5 of the DSS Electronic Fingerprint Capture Options.

What makes your process so secure?

Unlike many other service providers, we've developed a process that never requires you to electronically send us your employees' personally identifiable information (PII). Many providers require companies to submit this information to them online. We don't believe that's the most secure practice, so we don't do it.

How do I get the electronic file from Kinsey Consulting if I'm going to upload to SWFT myself?

If we're capturing prints electronically in person (Live Scan) at your company, we'll provide the file directly to the FSO. If we're not on site at your company, we'll encrypt the file using FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption and send the FSO the file electronically.

How do I decrypt the encrypted file you send me to be uploaded to SWFT?

Simply download ZipReader, the free reader version of the encryption software we use called SecureZip, by PKWARE. We'll send you instructions on how to decrypt the file when we send it to you.

Can you convert a hardcopy fingerprint card to a required electronic file required for SWFT?

Yes. This is our SWFT Card Scan service option and we have 2 of them. SWFT Card Scan 1 - we convert and submit the file for you to SWFT. Or, SWFT Card Scan 2 - we convert the file, encrypt it and send it to the FSO to be submitted to SWFT.

Can you come to my company to capture electronic fingerprints in person?

Yes, within about a 30 mile radius of Frederick, MD. If you're farther from Frederick, MD than that, let us know and we may be able to accommodate you. If you're a lot farther than that - like Alaska, for example - simply use our SWFT Card Scan option.

We're new to the entire process of submitting for security clearances - can you help us with that?

Definitely. We are a security consulting company, first and foremost. Anything related to the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) is our area of expertise. Please contact us for more information.

Should we have fingerprints submitted before or after the SF86 is submitted in DISS?

Definitely before. If you wait until the SF86 is submitted first, you only have 14 days to get fingerprints to OPM. In many cases that will put you under the gun to make that happen. We process requests on a first come first serve basis, so last minute requests won't receive expedited processing. Please plan ahead and have fingerprints submitted before the SF86 is submitted in DISS.

Once a fingerprint file is submitted via SWFT, what's the best way to confirm it's been received by

Check the subject's person summary screen in DISS under Investigation Summary

When "SAC from OPM, Opened: Date Closed Date" is listed, this is the confirmation that OPM has received and approved fingerprints for the subject. SAC stands for "Special Agency Check".