[All] FW: HTSOS - v - CTAT Policy Update

Fri Feb 26 08:34:15 PST 2021

All,
See below.  Our HTSOS training is good until 6 years after we took it.
M

From: "Lozano, Gabriel (ARC-JP)" <gabriel.lozano at nasa.gov>
Date: Friday, February 26, 2021 at 8:19 AM
To: Marilyn Vasques <marilyn.vasques at nasa.gov>
Subject: HTSOS - v - CTAT Policy Update

Hello and Good Morning Marilyn  –

I believe the organized FAQs listed below regarding the new Dept. of State CTAT – v – HTSOS courses should answer your question and those of others in your group.  The High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) on SATERN that travelers are required to take prior to international travel is being replaced by the Counter Threat Awareness Training (CTAT) training course on SATERN.

  *   Q:  I received a notification the High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) will be retired and replaced by Counter Threat Awareness Training (CTAT).  What does this mean?
  *   A:  CTAT is the renamed and updated HTSOS course, which individuals are required to take prior to official international travel.  If you already successfully completed all the modules of HTSOS and have received your certificate, your certificate will be valid for six (6) years after you completed the course.  If you received a SATERN notification that you are currently enrolled in HTSOS, but have yet to complete the course, you have until February 28, 2021 to complete the HTSOS training you have started.  If you do not complete the HTSOS training by February 28, 2021, you will lose your progress and have to complete the entire CTAT course and obtain your certificate prior to your next official international travel.

  *   Q:  If I complete HTSOS before 2/28/2021, will I have to retake the course as CTAT?
  *   A:  Your HTSOS certificate is valid for six (6) years.  You will not need to take CTAT until six years after you completed your HTSOS course.

  *   Q:  I have already completed HTSOS.  Will I need to take CTAT?
  *   A:  Your current HTSOS Certification is valid for six (6) years from the completion date.  When your current certification expires, you will be required to take CTAT prior to your next official international travel.

  *   Note: As before if an individual hold a FACT training certificate they are exempt from taking the HTSOS/CTAT (as of Feb. 28th, 2021) training during the valid issuance period of their FACT training certificate.

If you have any other questions about this training requirement in advance of official international travel, please let me know.  If you have any questions regarding the CTAT course on the SATERN system, please contact the NSSC Contact Center at 877-NSSC-123 (877-677-2123) or send an e-mail to nssc-contactcenter at nasa.gov<mailto:nssc-contactcenter at nasa.gov>.

My Best - - Be Careful and Be Safe -

Gabe -

Gabriel Lozano
Protective Services & International Services Office
(Code JP)
NASA Ames Research Center
Mail Stop 15-1 / PO Box 1
Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001
Office (650)604-4450 / Cell (650) 833-9067
FAX 650-604-1957
Gabriel.Lozano at nasa.gov<mailto:Gabriel.Lozano at nasa.gov>

From: Vasques, Marilyn F. (ARC-SGG) <marilyn.vasques at nasa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 6:49 AM
To: Lozano, Gabriel (ARC-JP) <gabriel.lozano at nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: [Cs_espo_all] [All] FW: FACT Policy Update
Importance: High

Gabe,
Good morning.  I hope you are well.

We’ve been notified that Counter Threat Awareness Training (CTAT) will replace High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) but what isn’t clear is if our HTSOS certification is still valid.  So, if we have HTSOS valid until say 2023, do we just take CTAT when it expires or do we have to take CTAT now?

I looked through the email below but didn’t find anything specific, so I looked up the reference 13 FAM 301.4.  It states “CTAT will replace the legacy High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) course (HT401).  Individuals who completed the HTSOS course, and have a certificate valid to September 30, 2026, do not need to complete CTAT until their HTSOS certification expires.”  I find it hard to believe that they mean “valid to” but they must mean “valid up to.”  I also realize that NASA might have its own interpretation so I’m looking for clarification.

Do you have any insights? Should I reach out to the author of the email below, Jon Shearer?
Thank you,
M

From: Shearer, Jon E. (HQ-TA000) <jon.e.shearer at nasa.gov<mailto:jon.e.shearer at nasa.gov>>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 12:30 PM
To: Finley, Patrick T (HQ-TE000) <patrick.t.finley at nasa.gov<mailto:patrick.t.finley at nasa.gov>>; Mack, Tricia K. (JSC-OK111) <tricia.k.mack at nasa.gov<mailto:tricia.k.mack at nasa.gov>>
Cc: Mitchell, Krystin L. (JSC-LF111) <krystin.l.mitchell at nasa.gov<mailto:krystin.l.mitchell at nasa.gov>>; Hoang, Tien T. (JSC-LF111) <tien.t.hoang at nasa.gov<mailto:tien.t.hoang at nasa.gov>>; Ross-estes, Charlene (HQ-TB000)[Total Solutions Inc] <charlene.ross-estes-1 at nasa.gov<mailto:charlene.ross-estes-1 at nasa.gov>>
Subject: FACT Policy Update and Course Availability / 24 Mar 20 / Valid for six years now
Importance: High

*Flagging this State cable about policy changes related to FACT training.   Amongst other information, please note that the validity period for FACT and HTSOS has been extended from five years to six years.*

________________________________
From: SMART Core <svcSmartBtsEwsSPrec at state.gov<mailto:svcSmartBtsEwsSPrec at state.gov>>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 1:22 PM
To:
Subject: FACT Policy Update and Course Availability

UNCLASSIFIED
[STATE SEAL]
Action Office:
ALDACS, IMO, GSO, RSO, HR, ISC
________________________________
MRN:
20 STATE 31716<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Frepository.state.gov%2Fsearchcenter%2FResults.aspx%3Fk%3Dmrn%253a%252220%2520STATE%252031716%2522&data=04%7C01%7Cmarilyn.vasques%40nasa.gov%7Cecc0b874fe2b4252876008d8da72568b%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637499531919580688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=65uvXxJZEX%2BH3ex46%2FYsgIgYhd6NdU2NWNCAepd%2BH5o%3D&reserved=0>
Date/DTG:
Mar 23, 2020 / 231711Z MAR 20
From:
SECSTATE WASHDC
Action:
ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE ROUTINE
E.O.:
13526
TAGS:
AMGT, APER, ASEC, AADP
Reference:
A) 13 FAM 301.4
B) 19 STATE 92958<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Frepository.state.gov%2Fsearchcenter%2FResults.aspx%3Fk%3Dmrn%253a%252219%2520STATE%252092958%2522&data=04%7C01%7Cmarilyn.vasques%40nasa.gov%7Cecc0b874fe2b4252876008d8da72568b%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637499531919590645%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=wwJroxBarP8tcwPHA1T8r%2FmqVj%2FwWroVGIHtKJSV%2B9w%3D&reserved=0>
Pass Line:
PASS TO ECC ADMINISTRATORS AT POST
Subject:
FACT Policy Update and Course Availability

1.      Summary:  This cable provides an update and outlines changes to mandatory training requirements for Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) and online High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) (soon to be named Counter Threat Awareness Training (CTAT)) courses, addresses concerns regarding limited course availability for mandatory FACT training, and outlines the waiver process when timely training is not possible.  This cable supersedes previous FACT cables. End Summary.

2.      Currently, in accordance with 13 FAM 301.4, all U.S. government personnel who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State working overseas for 45 or more cumulative days in calendar year – except for those exempted, as described in 13 FAM 301.4-2(B), or who have received a waiver as described in 13 FAM 301-4.2(C) or Ref B (described below) – are required to complete the FACT course (CT650).  This applied to personnel who are transferring under permanent change of station (PCS), on temporary duty (TDY) status, as a Reemployed Annuitant (REA), or Department Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) employee.  Changes to the CURRENT policy explained in this paragraph are outlined below.

REGISTER NOW FOR FACT!  TRAVEL ORDERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ENROLL!

3.      FACT training is available year-round and personnel should avail themselves of this training at any point when they travel to or are assigned in the U.S.  Do not wait until the summer transfer season to register for FACT!  Take advantage of current FACT availability in 2020 by registering for any available FACT sessions during non-peak months.  It is expected that all employees required to take FACT per 13 FAM 301.4 who have never completed FACT will return to the United States to complete FACT as soon as possible.  All Department personnel currently serving in Washington, D.C., who are planning to travel overseas in the future, are strongly encouraged to enroll in FACT during the spring and winter months.  As with all mandatory training, plan ahead if you believe you will be going overseas in the next year or two.  Travel orders are not required to enroll.

COURSE REGISTRATION

4.      The FACT (CT650) course registration form can be accessed from the following intranet link: http://reg.fsi.state.sbu/dstc/CourseCatalog.aspx?EventId=CT650<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Freg.fsi.state.sbu%2Fdstc%2FCourseCatalog.aspx%3FEventId%3DCT650&data=04%7C01%7Cmarilyn.vasques%40nasa.gov%7Cecc0b874fe2b4252876008d8da72568b%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637499531919590645%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=c6RXrVZ7E%2FzSrr3BjySjvpjlyRy7JhglN%2BAucpeLj5k%3D&reserved=0>.

5.      The HTSOS/CTAT course (HT401) can be accessed from the following intranet link: http://reg.fsi.state.sbu/dstc/CourseCatalog.aspx?EventId=HT401<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Freg.fsi.state.sbu%2Fdstc%2FCourseCatalog.aspx%3FEventId%3DHT401&data=04%7C01%7Cmarilyn.vasques%40nasa.gov%7Cecc0b874fe2b4252876008d8da72568b%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637499531919600606%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Gr2nK94yp%2B7GaDjBaGmafiLFzqzARMAYC4pmqfZMRTk%3D&reserved=0>.

REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

6.      DS is responsible for the cost of FACT training for Department personnel; Department bus transportation from Washington, D.C. to the FACT staging hotel; local transportation between the FACT staging hotel and the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, located in Blackstone, VA; and per diem for Department personnel attending FACT.  Detailed information on the reimbursement procedures can be found here and also 17 STATE 75456: https://usdos.sharepoint.com/sites/DS-In/t/fastc/TPS/SLTD/Toolkits/FACTToolkit/Resources/Forms/FACTGuidance.aspx<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fusdos.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FDS-In%2Ft%2Ffastc%2FTPS%2FSLTD%2FToolkits%2FFACTToolkit%2FResources%2FForms%2FFACTGuidance.aspx&data=04%7C01%7Cmarilyn.vasques%40nasa.gov%7Cecc0b874fe2b4252876008d8da72568b%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637499531919600606%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2BwCiA01zkNC7aIwTmxWYidMvaAHKlfAqUQ20TbV3uZE%3D&reserved=0>.

7.      Travel costs from outside of Washington, D.C. for Department employees will be covered by post or the Bureau EX office; when possible, consider arranging R&R or other previously-scheduled official travel in conjunction with FACT training.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABILITY

8.      A Department employee who requires a reasonable accommodation for the FACT training due to a disability may request a reasonable accommodation using the process set forth in 3 FAM 3670 (Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities) and by sending an email request to ReasonableAccommodations at state.gov<mailto:ReasonableAccommodations at state.gov>.  Other government agency personnel should contact their appropriate office for consideration.

NEW THRESHOLD FOR FACT

9.      The Under Secretary for Management (M) has now approved a new threshold for FACT.  Instead of requiring FACT for all U.S. government personnel (who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State) working overseas for 45 or more cumulative days in a calendar year, M has now approved requiring FACT when those personnel work overseas for 90 or more cumulative days in a 12-month period.  Personnel working overseas for less than 90 cumulative days in a 12-month period will not be required to take FACT.  Posts, to include all agencies, must monitor their TDY personnel to ensure personnel do not extend the time at post without the required training or waiver to 90 days or more.

10.  In addition, M has approved extending the validity period for FACT and HTSOS/CTAT from five years to six years.  This will allow one additional year for personnel to obtain a new FACT or HTSOS/CTAT certificate and will allow personnel serving in two three-year tours back-to-back to have a valid certificate throughout both tours.

FACT RECERTIFICATION

11.  M has also approved that the FACT recertification requirement only applies to personnel serving in or traveling to posts with at least one Security Environment Threat List (SETL) rating in the High or Critical range for Crime, Terrorism, or Political Violence.  Employees whose FACT certification expires during their tour of duty at one of these posts, must complete FACT during their next official travel to Washington, D.C. if they have 180 days or more remaining overseas upon returning to that post of assignment.  Personnel assigned to or travelling to posts rated Low or Medium in these categories of Crime, Terrorism, or Political Violence must recertify by CTAT at a minimum.  The FAM will be updated to reflect these new requirements.

WAIVERS

12.  As this is the first year that these requirements will be in effect for posts worldwide, the FACT course may be oversubscribed during peak transfer season.  Waivers may be an available option for non-entry level employees PCSing or TDYing to Post before the next available opening in FACT.  In light of the immediate demands on FACT training, M approved updates to the waiver request process, effective immediately.  The below processes temporarily supersede the guidance in 13 FAM 301.4 with regard to Department personnel and will be in effect until December 31, 2020.  Requests for waivers must be submitted as soon as possible to ensure timely processing.  However, personnel should continue to register for and take FACT as soon as possible and not rely on, or expect a waiver, during the Summer 2020 transfer season.

DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL GOING TO HIGH-THREAT, HIGH-RISK POSTS

13.  Waivers for Department personnel going to High-Threat, High-Risk (HTHR) posts are strongly discouraged and not normally approved.  Bureau EX offices should prepare a memo to M explaining: Post-endorsed and documented exceptional operational need for a waiver to be approved; verified efforts made to enroll in FACT prior to departure; and compelling reason for previous dropped FACT course(s) (if applicable).  The memo should be accompanied by an acknowledgment, by the Chief of Mission (COM) of the receiving HTHR post, that the justified required presence of any personnel arriving or remaining at post with a FACT waiver poses an increased risk; the employee’s valid HTSOS/CTAT completion certificate; and a confirmation email from the Registrar that the employee has enrolled in the next available FACT offering.  EX offices should send the waiver request package to M_Clearance at state.gov<mailto:M_Clearance at state.gov>, to be processed by M.  TDYers travelling 90 days or more cumulatively around the world within a 12-month period should follow the same process.  A listing of HTHR posts is located here: https://usdos.sharepoint.com/sites/DS/DS/HTP/Shared%20Documents/index.aspx<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fusdos.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FDS%2FDS%2FHTP%2FShared%2520Documents%2Findex.aspx&data=04%7C01%7Cmarilyn.vasques%40nasa.gov%7Cecc0b874fe2b4252876008d8da72568b%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C637499531919610559%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DBJZ5ySzGIClSXWJhf8o8rBxVF8EaQha%2F67Ure5m70k%3D&reserved=0>.  This does not apply to entry level employees.  GTM/CDA/EL will not submit waiver requests for entry level employees.

14.  Posts and Bureaus must understand that allowing personnel to travel to HTHR posts or remain TDY for 90 days or more in a HTHR post without the required FACT training (regardless of whether there is a FACT waiver), not only places the individual at risk, but also places the Post, Bureau, and the Department at risk.

15.  Please note that personnel may not travel to post without a FACT waiver or without completing the required FACT training.  Personnel currently at a HTHR post without a FACT waiver or without completing the required FACT training, who have exceeded the 90-day threshold must depart post as soon possible.

DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL GOING TO NON-HTHR POSTS

16.  Until December 31, 2020, no memo is required for employees traveling to NON HTHR posts if employees take the following steps.  Employees must provide their Post HRO, RSO, and their Career Development Officer (CDO) in GTM/CDA with a valid HTSOS/CTAT completion certificate and a confirmation email from the Registrar demonstrating they have enrolled in the next available FACT offering in 2020.  Failure to report to FACT as scheduled, or to provide documentation of exigent circumstances (with concurrence from post COM and, for entry-level employees, GTM/CDA/EL) that prevent participation as scheduled, could be grounds for disciplinary action.  For employees traveling to posts on TDY 90 days or more cumulatively around the world within a 12-month period, this same information (valid HTSOS/CTAT certificate and confirmation email about future FACT enrollment) must be provided to their Bureau EX office.  The Bureau EX will provide a written response that can be attached to the employee’s country clearance request in myServices eCC.

17.  It is important for post management to note that eligible family members (EFMs) (with the exception of EFMs transferring to Special Incentive Posts (SIPs) and CA-AEFMs hired in Washington, D.C. who have not obtained FACT training prior to proceeding to post) are NOT required to take FACT to be eligible to apply for employment at post or to become employed by post.  However, if over the age of 18, they must take HTSOS/CTAT once they begin employment, and must enroll in and take FACT during their next official travel to the U.S.

18.  The waiver process for interagency employees remains unchanged.  Individual waiver requests from non-Department personnel must be submitted by letter from the relevant agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer to the Under Secretary for Management (M), consistent with 13 FAM 301-4.3(C).  Letters must be addressed to M_Clearance at state.gov<mailto:M_Clearance at state.gov>.

19.  All waivers are only valid until the start date of the FACT session for which employees were registered at the time of the waiver request.  Employees who previously received a temporary waiver of FACT are expected to attend the course session documented in their request memos.

20.  Failure to report to FACT as scheduled, or to provide documentation of exigent circumstances (with concurrence from post COM) that prevent participation as scheduled, could be grounds for disciplinary action.

21.  When employees fail to attend class (“no-show”), DOS bureaus will incur a penalty.  A no-show penalty equals one night’s hotel cost and the tuition cost of the course.  At the discretion of the DS Registrar, a waiver may be granted in cases of illness or family emergency.  To avoid penalties, cancellation requests in writing must be received by the DS Registrar (FASTCRegistrarOffice at state.gov<mailto:FASTCRegistrarOffice at state.gov>) at least five working days before the course begins.  The DS Registrar will send an email confirmation to the student and training officer when a request has been processed.  If no email is received from the registrar, contact the DS Registrar to confirm status of the request.  Please note that FACT requires 100% attendance in order for a student to receive course credit.

22.  FACT certificates may be provided to Post management in hard copy format or digital format.

23.  The success of ensuring all applicable personnel attend FACT requires each of us to participate in the process.  We welcome your questions and feedback regarding this process.  Please contact us at ASKFACT at state.gov<mailto:ASKFACT at state.gov> with your questions and feedback.

Signature:
Pompeo
________________________________
Drafted By:
DS/T:Nina Cron
Cleared By:
DS/EX:Dietz III, Stephen B
DS/MGT/PPD:Scherger, Michael E
DS/IP:Ashraf-Miller, Assiya
DS/DSS:Brown, Todd J
DS/HTP/SP:Sherman, Greg A
DS/T:Bashnan, Wendy A
DS/T/FASTC:Weitzel, Robert W
L/M:Lovejoy, Martha
L/M:King, Katie
L/EMP:Perciaccante, Marianne
FSI/DIR:Donovan, Dessislava E
M:Cummins, Kelia E
M/PRI:Denniston, Richard L
HR/DGHR:Juliao, Jeanne M
HR/DGHR:Merten, Kenneth H
INR/IPC:Redmond, Annette L
INR/CML:Mayer, Paul O
AF/EX:Dille, Benjamin B
EAP/EX:Blackstone, Kevin
EUR-IO/EX:Wilson, Brian W
NEA-SCA/EX:Aubin, Elizabeth Moore
WHA/EX:Del Corso, Christopher J
D:Daucher, Kevin G
P:Ramsey, Catherine B
SES\GusackJE
Approved By:
DS:Evanoff, Michael
Released By:
DS_FRONT_OFFICE:Ellwein, Joshua D
XMT:
BASRAH, AMCONSUL; CARACAS, AMEMBASSY; SANAA, AMEMBASSY; ST PETERSBURG, AMCONSUL; VLADIVOSTOK, AMCONSUL; ALEXANDRIA, AMCONSUL
________________________________
Action Post:
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
Dissemination Rule:
DISP_ALDAC, IMO, GSO, RSO, HR, ISC

UNCLASSIFIED

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