154.41—Central adjudication.
(a)
To ensure uniform application of the requirement of this part and to ensure that DoD personnel security determinations are effected consistent with existing statutes and Executive orders, the head of each Military Department and Defense Agencies shall establish a single Central Adjudication Facility for his/her component. The function of such facility shall be limited to evaluating personnel security investigations and making personnel security determinations. The chief of each Central Adjudication Facility shall have the authority to act on behalf of the head of the Component concerned with respect to personnel security determinations. All information relevant to determining whether a person meets the appropriate personnel security standard prescribed by this part shall be reviewed and evaluated by personnel security specialists specifically designated by the head of the Component concerned, or designee.
(b)
In view of the significance each adjudicative decision can have on a person's career and to ensure the maximum degree of fairness and equity in such actions, a minimum level of review shall be required for all clearance/access determinations related to the following categories of investigations:
(i) Favorable:
Completely favorable investigations shall be reviewed and approved by an adjudicative official in the civilian grade of GS-7/9 or the military rank of O-3.
(ii) Unfavorable:
Investigations that are not completely favorable shall undergo at least two levels of review by adjudicative officials, the second of which must be at the civilian grade of GS-11/12 or the military rank of O-4. When an unfavorable administrative action is contemplated under § 154.56(b), the letter of intent (LOI) to deny or revoke must be approved and signed by an adjudicative official at the civilian grade of GS-13/14 or the military rank of O-5. A final notification of unfavorable administrative action, subsequent to the issuance of the LOI, must be approved and signed at the civilian grade of GS-14/15 or the military rank of O-6.
(i) Favorable:
A completely favorable investigation may be finally adjudicated after one level of review provided that the decisionmaking authority is at the civilian grade of GS-5/7 or the military rank of 0-2.
(ii) Unfavorable:
Investigations that are not completely favorable must be reviewed by an adjudicative official in the civilian grade of GS-7/9 or the military rank of 0-3. When an unfavorable administrative action is contemplated under § 154.56(b), the letter of intent to deny/revoke must be signed by an adjudicative official at the civilian grade of GS-11/12 or the military rank of 0-4. A final notification of unfavorable administrative action subsequent to the issuance of the LOI must be signed by an adjudicative official at the civilian grade of GS-13 or the military rank of 0-5 or above.
(c)
Exceptions to the above policy may only be granted by the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.