Container SCIF Procurement Process

So you’re working with a secure program and need a facility to house, process, or discuss classified information. Here, we’re going to provide a brief overview of the course of action required to procure a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF).

From the contractor’s side, there are a few key items needed to appropriately design and build your SCIF. The most important item we will be looking for is a DD254, the Contract Security Classification Specification. The DD254 outlines all of the parameters essential to program security. This form comes from your Government sponsor, also known as your AO (Accreditation Official), and dictates the specific requirements for perimeter security, acoustic shielding, intrusion detection, and radio frequency mitigation. These factors are major cost, timeline, and design drivers. Essentially, the DD254 serves as a blueprint for constructing a facility that meets accreditation standards. Without a DD254, there is a significant risk that, even if the mitigation levels are met, the AO may still reject the facility and require additional measures before accreditation.

Once the contractor has a set of security mitigation requirements, we can discuss program specifications, such as the number of workstations/personnel, server space, and network requirements. With this information, the SCIF contractor will be able to provide an accurate price quote and specification sheet for you and your stakeholders to review before selecting a contractor for your facility.

Once a contractor is selected and a purchase order (PO) is issued, the client should receive a preliminary project schedule, and the design phase will begin. Typically, within one to two weeks, the contractor will provide preliminary design drawings that outline the floor plan and essential program requirements for client feedback and potential revisions. Once the first draft is approved, the design team will develop a more detailed set of drawings, incorporating wall system specifications. This phase will also require review and approval. Depending on the contractor, you may go through this process multiple times to reach a 100% finalized design or move directly to client- and AO-approved construction plans. During this phase, you should also receive submittals for long-lead items such as doors and specialized equipment, which require approval before purchase to prevent delays.

Now, in the production phase, we should have a clear project schedule and begin planning any site visits the client may request. We generally recommend an on-site meeting during the wall system phase so the client can visually confirm the multiple layers required for accreditation. Throughout production, it is crucial for the contractor to maintain extensive document control for the client to report to the AO. This includes:

• A detailed submittal list with the status of each item
• An RFI (Request for Information) list with status updates
• Extensive photo documentation of each construction phase

We also provide clients with weekly progress updates via photos to track project status.

Once the facility is complete, logistics efforts for delivery will commence. Delivery timelines can range from a few days to several months depending on the location. We ship both CONUS and OCONUS. Upon arrival, the container will be lifted from the transport truck and placed in its operational space or onto castors for relocation within a larger facility. A contractor representative will be on-site during delivery to confirm that the container arrived safely and is fully operational. The final site work typically includes connecting shore power and a data connection to commission the facility and make it fully functional.

Now that your container SCIF is on-site and operational, we will finalize the accreditation process and submit all required documentation, or a “closeout package,” to your AO to officially bring the program online. This package typically includes, but is not limited to:

• As-built drawings
• Submittal packages
• Photo documentation
• Construction Security Plan (CSP)
• Fixed Facility Checklist (FFC)
• TEMPEST checklist

Once the AO reviews the documentation and verifies compliance, your SCIF will be entered into the SCIF repository, receiving a SCIF ID number that grants interim accreditation and initiates the final approval process.

While this process is extensive, we at Faraday Defense are here to partner with our clients from initial inquiry to final approval, ensuring the highest level of satisfaction with your container SCIF. We pride ourselves on delivering a fully compliant, turnkey product along with a comprehensive closeout package to streamline the accreditation process and ensure your facility meets all required security parameters.