FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 31, 2007
Contact: OMB Communications, 202-395-7254

New OMB HSPD-12 Report Boosts Transparency
and Accountability for Progress

Washington, DC — Today, OMB released an aggregate review of agencies’ public posting of Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 implementation status reports for the reporting period ending December 1, 2007. Though progress has been made and the large majority of agencies have posted data for public viewing, 85 percent of agencies require additional improvements to meet reporting requirements. OMB’s review (Public Report Summary) and the details of the agency HSPD-12 Implementation Plan reports can be found here: www.egov.gov/b-1-information.html#hspd12

On October 23, 2007, OMB’s Deputy Director for Management, Clay Johnson, issued OMB Memorandum M-08-01 to remind agencies of the requirements to complete implementation of HSPD-12, the directive designed to enhance security, reduce identity fraud, and protect the personal privacy of those issued government identification. Deputy Director Johnson also highlighted the need to publicly post the agencies’ information on progress, including additional information on the status of background investigations and major milestones as outlined in agencies’ HSPD-12 implementation plans. Administrator for E-Government and Information Technology, Karen Evans, on October 26, 2007, issued updated instructions for public reporting of HSPD-12 implementation status, with an updated reporting template including historical information and an additional clarifying section to ensure all agencies used the same definition for each section of the updated template.

“The implementation status reports allow us transparency into the progress agencies have made as well as areas for further improvement, driving public accountability for results,” said Karen Evans, OMB Administrator for E-Government and Information Technology. “The resources are available for agencies to be successful in meeting HSPD-12 requirements and we expect to see significant increases in the number of credentials issued by all agencies beginning in January 2008.”

The GSA Managed Service Office, servicing 67 customer agencies for HSPD-12, currently has more than 30 enrollment centers open and equipped with 50+ enrollment machines across the United States. At 65% capacity, these enrollment centers have the capability to process over 20,000 credentials per month for their agency employees and applicable contractors.

Eighteen of the thirty centers are within the Washington, DC area allowing agencies to credential the estimated 200,000 personnel in the Washington metropolitan area. Additional sites have been strategically located to service large population areas across the country with over 150 more enrollment machines planned over the next few months. At full capacity, the GSA MSO can issue up to 90,000 credentials per month, assuming that agencies perform the required data entry and background checks required of HSPD-12 and FIPS-201.

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