Question 1

What is the DD Form 254?

Accepted Answer

The DD Form 254, or DoD Contract Security Classification Specification, is a contractual document that provides a contractor (or subcontractor) with the security requirements and classification guidance needed to perform on a classified contract. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "254, is a contractual document providing the contractor (or a subcontractor) with security" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 2

What is the purpose of the DD Form 254?

Accepted Answer

To provide security classification guidance to cleared contractors performing on a classified contract. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "The purpose of the DD Form 254 is to provide security classification guidance to cleared" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 3

What regulation governs the security requirements a contractor must follow on a classified contract?

Accepted Answer

The NISPOM (National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, 32 CFR Part 117) — contractors follow the NISPOM and other U.S. Government requirements. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "Contractors shall follow security requirements per the NISPOM and other U.S." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 4

What are the iterations of the DD Form 254 during its lifecycle?

Accepted Answer

The Solicitation, Original, Revised, and Final DD Form 254. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "The DD Form 254 has several iterations during its lifecycle. They include the Solicitation," https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 5

When must a Revised DD Form 254 be issued?

Accepted Answer

When there is a change in the security contractual requirements. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "A Revised DD Form 254 must be issued if there is a change in security contractual" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 6

What does the Final DD Form 254 authorize?

Accepted Answer

It authorizes the contractor to retain classified material after contract completion (when additional retention is approved). [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "the Final DD Form 254 is an authorization to retain" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 7

Can a subcontractor DD Form 254 exceed the prime contract's Original DD Form 254?

Accepted Answer

No. The subcontractor DD Form 254 can never exceed the Original DD Form 254 for the prime contract (classification levels, accesses, safeguarding, and storage may not exceed it). [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "DD Form 254 can never exceed the Original DD Form 254 for the Prime contract" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 8

Who completes Item 7 of the DD Form 254?

Accepted Answer

The prime contractor completes Item 7 when a subcontractor has been approved. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "Item 7 is completed by the prime contractor when a subcontractor has been approved to" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 9

What GCA and POC should be entered in Item 16 of a subcontractor DD Form 254?

Accepted Answer

The same GCA and POC from the Original (prime) DD Form 254. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "Item 16 should indicate the same GCA and POC from the Original DD Form 254 even though" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

Question 10

Does the date of the Original DD Form 254 change when revisions are issued?

Accepted Answer

No — the date of the Original DD Form 254 does not change; only the date on the Revised DD Form 254 is updated with subsequent revisions. [Source: CDSE — Preparing the DD Form 254 (IS128.16) Student Guide — "Only the date on the Revised DD Form 254 is updated with the subsequent revisions." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS128-guide.pdf]

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