Trusted Workforce 2.0: Moving the chains to phase three in federal vetting reform

Having played a bit of football in my day, I often relate business concepts to sports. Regardless of whether or not you’re a sports fan, a sports metaphor can help take a complicated and cumbersome process of tracking milestones in the federal government and make them more relatable. 

In the Super Bowl of security clearance and personnel vetting reform, Trusted Workforce has been an MVP. After the critical conditioning and training phase, which is policy reform, it’s time for the Trusted Workforce to enter the playoffs. The Performance Accountability Council Program Management Office recently announced that phase 2 of Trusted Workforce 2.0 is complete. Now, departments and agencies will begin implementing more than 40 policies that have been updated, revamped, or newly issued in recent years. It’s time for departments and agencies to step off the sidelines and get onto the field. Game on. 

Phase 3 emphasizes the full implementation of the TW 2.0 model, including:

• Enhancing and expanding continuous vetting capabilities.
• Broadening shared service offerings.
• Adopting the three investigative tiers and scenarios by certain investigative service providers and agencies.
• Improving performance metrics to expedite onboarding processes.

Just like in football, performance and speed are essential. With FY25 looming, the goal is to improve government performance and expedite the onboarding of national security professionals. In the coming year, the focus will be on enhancing continuous vetting, expanding shared services, and enabling select investigative providers and agencies to use the new investigative tiers and scenarios.

The PAC PMO also clarifies phase 3 milestones. These key milestones are organized into seven focus areas: five dedicated to personnel vetting scenarios (Initial Vetting, Continuous Vetting, Transfer of Trust, Upgrade, Re-establishment of Trust), one for shared services, and one for performance management and ongoing improvement goals.

The game-changing move from the prior quarter was the Personnel Vetting Management Standards release from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Office of Personnel Management in their roles as the security and suitability executive agents, respectfully. The PVMS completes the core policy framework of TW 2.0. The PVMS provides standardized procedures for:

• Maintaining affiliations.
• Managing the five vetting scenarios.
• Handling vetting records.
• Facilitating information sharing. Additionally, the appendices detail personnel vetting business functions, requirements for workforce education, and self-reporting obligations.

The newly established Federal Personnel Vetting Management Standards (PVMS) are essential for a secure, efficient, and trustworthy federal workforce. Like conditioning and training, policy updates are the unsung heroes of competing to win. These standards created a universal playbook for vetting individuals across all executive branch departments, ensuring consistency and fairness in assessing federal government employees. There aren’t any trick plays or hidden strategies here – the PVMS provides transparency around what agencies can expect from the next phase of Trusted Workforce 2.0, and they should begin preparing to implement it today. This framework isn't just about procedure—it’s about safeguarding national security, promoting fairness, and protecting privacy. 

In a fast-paced game with changing tactics, it’s critical to have a strategy that adjusts to the evolving threats on the field. The PVMS standardizes and streamlines the vetting process, making it adaptable to emerging risks. Doing so ensures that our federal workforce remains resilient and processes remain efficient and agile. 

The PVMS serves as the playbook for the personnel vetting process, providing the foundation for consistency and structure where it was previously lacking. As Phase 3 of TW 2.0 kicks off, it can build on the PVMS to drive the next series of plays. The PVMS outlines new vetting scenarios and provides a compliance strategy for agencies to follow, ensuring they stay on track as they update and improve future policies. From self-reporting to security awareness training, PVMS clarifies the rules of the game, making it essential reading for security professionals and something every agency head must keep in mind, as the responsibility to execute and comply rests with them.

As Trusted Workforce 2.0 enters Phase 3, it's no longer just about strategy—it's about execution. This is the critical moment when policy moves from the playbook to the field, setting the stage for the transparent, efficient, and comprehensive vetting process we need. Competing to win isn’t optional. National security demands our best, and Trusted Workforce is helping us deliver it across the federal workforce. Those are chains worth moving and milestones worth meeting. 

Brett Mencin is vice president of Xcelerate Solutions, overseeing the performance and growth of the Enterprise Vetting & Analysis portfolio, which supports DHS, DOD, and FBI. With more than 15 years of experience in enterprise vetting and analysis, his extensive knowledge and dedication to enhancing Trusted Workforce 2.0 makes him a highly sought-after and passionate resource for driving change and improvement.