How Contractors Obtain a GSA Access Card

The GSA Access Card serves as the identity badge for GSA employees and contractors. It uses smart card technology to provide reliable and secure identity verification.

GSA employees and contractors are required to use their GSA Access Card, along with a Personal Identification Number (PIN), to log into their computer and GSA networks, providing more secure and user-friendly access to information.

  1. Complete the CIW and Submit it to the GSA POC

    Complete the GSA Contractor Information Worksheet (CIW) (GSA Form 850) and provide to your Regional Office of Mission Assurance (OMA) Point of Contact (POC) or your Central Office HSSO POC.

  2. Schedule an Enrollment Appointment

    Following the submission of your completed CIW to your Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC:

    Receive an email from HSPD12Admin@usaccess.gsa.gov asking you to schedule an enrollment appointment
    OR
    Be informed that enrollment is not required because you had previously enrolled with another agency.

    If you are instructed to schedule an appointment:

    Follow the email instructions to use the USAccess scheduling website and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center. Contact your Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC if you have any problem scheduling an enrollment appointment.

    Bring two forms of valid identification to the enrollment center. A list of acceptable forms of identification (ID) can be found here. The fingerprints captured during the enrollment process will be electronically submitted to OPM with your e-QIP application (see Steps 3-4).

  3. Complete the e-QIP Online Application

    Following your submission of your completed forms to the Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC:

    You will receive a sponsorship email with guidance on how to obtain a registration code for e-QIP, how to complete the enrollment/fingerprint process, and how to complete the e-QIP application.

  4. Sign the e-QIP Signature Forms and Submit to OPM

    Once you complete the online application, you will be prompted to digitally sign a Signature Form prior to releasing the e-QIP application, certifying that everything on your application is correct to the best of your knowledge.

    Prior to submitting the online e-QIP to OPM, ensure that you attach any requested forms such as the OF306 (Declaration for Federal Employment) or the GSA3665 (Authorization to Obtain Credit Report) that were attached to your sponsorship email.

    Contact your Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC if you have any difficulties completing and submitting your e-QIP application.

  5. Pick Up and Activate Your GSA Access Card at the Enrollment Center

    Follow the instructions in the email from your Regional OMA POC/Central Office HSSO POC or USAccess to pick up and activate your GSA Access Card.

    Bring two forms of valid identification to the enrollment center to pick up and activate your GSA Access Card. A list of acceptable forms of identification (ID) can be found here.

    After activating your GSA Access Card, you must connect your computer directly to the GSA network and perform a system reboot before using Virtual Private Network (VPN) remote access.

  6. Maintain Your Card

    Keep your GSA Access Card in the original issued badge holder. Do not mark on, punch holes in or bend your card. Avoid storing your GSA Access Card in areas subject to excessive heat (e.g. clothes dryer) or in direct sunlight (e.g. car dashboard).

How to Safeguard Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)

  • Never write down your PIN or share it with anyone.
  • You do not need to change your PIN, unless you want to change it.
  • If you forget your PIN or would like to change it, schedule an activation appointment at the USAccess activation station.

Returning Your Card

All GSA contractors must return GSA Access Cards to their GSA Requesting Official or Vendor POC on or before their last day of work for any of the following conditions:

  1. When the contract is completed or terminated,
  2. When the individual GSA Access Card holder is no longer required by the contract vendor for contract performance,
  3. If the individual GSA Access Card holder’s employment is completed or terminated by the contract vendor, or
  4. If an unfavorable suitability determination has been made for any contractor

Questions about Access Cards can be addressed to:

The Office of Mission Assurance (OMA) HSPD-12 Branch at hspd12.security@gsa.gov

If You Lose Your Card

Immediately notify:

  • Your supervisor,
  • the Security Office,
  • the GSA IT Service Desk, and
  • your Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC

Immediately contact the GSA's IT Service Desk at 866-450-5250 to complete a security incident report if you have been provided a government furnished laptop. You will also need to notify your supervisor and security office, as they will notify the appropriate people for a replacement card. Contractors will additionally need to notify your Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC. They will provide you with the Lost or Stolen GSA Access Card Replacement Request form to be signed by your supervisor for employees and COR for contractors, notify the appropriate people for a replacement card, and order a replacement card. You will NOT need to go through the enrollment process again to receive an updated card. Until you receive your replacement card, you will follow the local visitor access policy to enter agency buildings.

The Office of Mission Assurance (OMA) HSPD-12 Branch will be notified by your Regional OMA POC or Central Office HSSO POC to terminate your lost card to prevent others from using it. No one can access your limited encrypted information on the card after it is terminated.

Last Reviewed: 2022-12-02