Breaking Down the Facility Clearance (FCL) Sponsorship Process

For companies aiming to work on classified contracts with the U.S. government, obtaining a Facility Clearance (FCL) is often a critical first step. But here’s the catch: you can’t just apply for an FCL on your own. You need to be sponsored. That sponsorship process is a common source of confusion, especially for emerging vendors or startups looking to enter the defense and intelligence space.

In this guide, we’re breaking it down step-by-step to clear the ambiguity of what it means to be sponsored for an FCL and how your organization can prepare.

What Is FCL Sponsorship?

Sponsorship is the process by which a government agency or a prime contractor formally requests that your company be evaluated for a Facility Clearance. This isn’t just a friendly referral – it’s an official endorsement submitted to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the body that handles clearance investigations.

You can’t receive an FCL unless:

• You’re sponsored by a government contracting activity (GCA) or
• You’re sponsored as a subcontractor to a cleared prime on a contract that requires access to classified information

When Can Sponsorship Happen?

Sponsorship typically happens:

• After your company is selected as a subcontractor on a classified contract
• When a federal agency awards a classified contract to your company
• Any other circumstance in which your company needs access to a classified environment (e.g. a SCIF) to execute on, or respond to a request for proposals on, a classified contract

It’s important to note: A company cannot be sponsored just because they’re “interested” in getting a clearance. There must be a legitimate contractual requirement for access to classified information.

Who Can Sponsor You?

Only two types of organizations can submit a sponsorship request:

1. A U.S. Government agency awarding or overseeing a classified contract, also known as a GCA
2. A cleared prime contractor (with an FCL at the appropriate level)

If you’re working under a prime, they must include details about your scope of work and why access to classified information is necessary.

The Sponsorship Process

Once a sponsor decides to submit a request, here’s what typically happens:

DD-254 and Letter of Sponsorship Sent to DCSA The sponsor sends a formal request in NISS. The sponsorship must include both a Form DD-254, “Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification,” which details classification levels, specific security requirements, scope of work, and classified performance location; and a letter of sponsorship outlining:

• The nature of your work
• The level of classification required (Confidential, Secret, Top Secret)
• Why access is needed

DCSA Acknowledgment and Facility Profile After reviewing the sponsorship, DCSA sends your company a Facility Clearance Submission Package, including:

• DD Form 441 (Security Agreement)
• SF-328 (Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interests)
• Initial Facility Security Officer (FSO) and Key Management Personnel (KMP) submissions
• Requests for legal documents such as LLC Agreements, Articles of Incorporation, Capitalization tables, or meeting minutes.

DCSA Review and Eligibility Determination DCSA reviews your company for eligibility. This includes:

• Verification of U.S. ownership and control
• Legal status (must be a legal U.S. entity)
• Business integrity checks

Personnel Clearances for KMPs Before final approval, designated personnel in your organization (e.g. CEO, FSO, Board Members) must hold or obtain Personnel Security Clearances (PCLs).

How Long Does It Take?

Timelines can vary widely, but the typical range is 3 to 6 months – longer if your organization needs time to gather all required documentation or complete personnel clearances. If there are foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) issues, expect delays as your company establishes a legal FOCI mitigation agreement with DCSA.

How Nooks Helps

Nooks helps emerging and established organizations navigate the classified world. If you’re being asked to deliver on a classified contract and need to secure an FCL, we can:

• Accelerate your workforce in obtaining and upholding their clearances and accessing secure facilities.
• Help your company establish and maintain its security program, including through annual training, self inspection, and ongoing communications with DCSA.
• Facilitate the specific requirements of your company programs.

We’ve helped companies large and small get their FCL faster than they thought possible – and we’re here to help you do the same.

Want to learn more about how we can help your team get an FCL? Contact Nooks to speak with our team of security experts.