Government Contracting 101

Federal Contracting

Federal Contracting refers to the process by which the U.S. government hires private companies to provide goods or services in support of its operations. Instead of performing all work internally, federal agencies issue contracts to businesses for needs such as IT services, cybersecurity, logistics, healthcare, and consulting.

For candidates, this means working for a private company (often called a “government contractor”) that holds a contract to support a federal agency. While you are not a direct government employee, your role, responsibilities, and work environment are often closely aligned with government missions and may require compliance with specific regulations, security clearances, and performance standards.

Key characteristics of federal contracting roles:

• Work is tied to a specific government contract with a defined scope and duration

• Positions may require security clearances (Public Trust, Secret, TS/SCI, etc.)

• Employment is with a private company, not the federal government

• Projects are mission-driven and often follow strict compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, CMMC)

In short, federal contracting enables the government to leverage private sector expertise and gives candidates the opportunity to work on impactful public-sector initiatives while employed in the private sector.

Security Clearances and Public Trust Accesses

If you are new to federal contracting, some of the concepts and processes may seem daunting. This section serves as guidance to answer any of your FAQs and clear any confusion that you have in your government contracting journey.

The basic overview for a contractor is as follows:

1. Company is awarded a contract to perform federal work

2. Individuals are assigned to the contract

3. Federal government investigates the backgrounds of those assigned to the contract to ensure they meet the requirements

4. Federal government “ok’s” the individuals deemed suitable and trustworthy to perform the work

5. Individuals perform the work on the contract

Clearance Levels

Government contractors may require access to government classified information in performance of their duties. If that is the case, Kentro’s Personnel Security team will shepherd new hires in the personnel security clearance process. There are three levels of personnel security clearance: Confidential, Secret, Top Secret (and TS/SCI caveat).

Additionally, there may be special accesses and programs that are required for daily duties including, but not limited to SCI, SAP, Counterintelligence (CI) polygraphs, etc.

Depending on the specific contract requirements, personnel clearances, special access and procedures (e.g. polygraphs) may be required prior to performing work on projects.

Security clearances are reciprocal across federal agencies by federal regulation. This means that when you have a security clearance (Confidential, Secret, Top Secret/SCI), it is recognized by all agencies.

Process Steps

Security clearance investigations involve fingerprinting and a federal background check dating back 10 years:

1. Candidate signs an offer letter with the company.

2. Candidate works with Personnel Security to complete the required forms.

3. Federal government (usually National Background investigations Bureau “NBIB”) conducts a background investigation of the candidate.

4. Federal government adjudicates the suitability of the individual to have access to the specified level of information, based on the background investigation.

5. If a favorable adjudication is made, Personnel Security works with the Candidate to complete any additional paperwork and begins onboarding steps.

Remember: Each contract and sometimes each position on a contract may require different levels of clearance to perform duties. Just because one position requires higher or lower-level access, does not mean all positions require the same.

More information can be found on DCSA’s Website.

Security Clearance Timeline

Timelines are updated regularly by the federal government, and can be found on the web: How Long Does a Security Clearance Take? 2026 Processing Timelines | ClearedJobs.Net | ClearedJobs

US Citizenship Requirement

US citizenship is required for all personnel security clearance levels (Confidential, Secret, Top Secret/SCI). Dual citizens can be adjudicated for clearances; however, it is unlikely that they obtain higher-level clearances, and it is decided on a case-by-case basis.

US citizenship is not always required for Public Trust access (different from clearances).

Public Trust Access

Public Trust accesses are:

• Lower level than security clearances

• Agency-specific and generally not reciprocal across agencies. Each agency makes their own requirements for access.

• Generally, only valid for the time you are supporting the agency that requires it. Some agencies will honor previous Public Trust investigations from their own agency, but not always those from other agencies.

Public Trust background investigations are usually handled by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) and are shallower than their security clearance counterparts.

Depending on the specific contract assignment, candidates may be able to begin working on certain aspects of their project prior to the completion of their Public Trust background check, or the contract may require that the background check be completed prior to beginning work. It is dependent on the contract requirements.

Process Steps

Public Trust background investigations usually involve fingerprinting and a background check dating back 7 years. Some agencies may require more depth; some may require less depth.

1. Candidate signs an offer letter with the company. Depending on the contract requirements, candidate may be able to start at Kentro prior to full background check completion.

2. Candidate works with project team and/or Personnel Security to complete Public Trust paperwork.

3. Federal government (usually OPM or NBIB) conducts a background investigation of the candidate.

4. Federal government adjudicates the suitability of the individual to have Public Trust access.

5. If a favorable adjudication is made, the project team and/or Personnel Security works with the Candidate to complete any additional paperwork and begins onboarding steps.

Public Trust Timeline

Unfortunately, due to the decentralization and individuality of requirements for Public Trust access, they are not tracked in aggregate like security clearances. Some agencies may complete their investigations and adjudications within 1-3 weeks, some may take 3-6 months, or even shorter or longer.

Generally, Public Trust access is far faster to obtain than security clearances.

Background Checks

For all Candidates that have signed an offer, Kentro completes a background check as condition of employment. This check is completed within 5-7 business days with some situations per state that may take longer. You will receive a start date confirmation once your background check is complete and pending suitability or clearance requirements for your position.

Standard Background Check

• Identity: Social Security Address Trace

• Criminal Databases: National Criminal Database

• Criminal Jurisdictions: Unlimited County Criminal Records Search (7-year lookback)

• National Sex Offender Registry: Nationwide sex offender database check

Other checks could be required based on Contract needs.

Reference Checks

We ask all candidates to provide two professional references as part of the hiring process. References should be individuals who can speak to work experience, skills, and professional contributions, such as former managers, supervisors, or colleagues. This helps us gain a well-rounded understanding of your background and ensures a smooth and timely hiring process.

Drug Screening Policy

Kentro may require new hires to complete drug screening in accordance with applicable contractual obligations or at Kentro’s discretion, consistent with company policy and relevant federal, state, and local laws.

Additional Steps

As required by role/customer/Kentro needs:

• Education/Certification verification

• Employee verification

• Motor Vehicle record check

• Financial checks

• Fit to perform duty process

• Standard Medical Checks for Employment in Healthcare Facilities

Key Terms