A facility clearance level is issued by the Department of State and applies to the business entity. The clearance level is not the same as physical security of the office building. The FCL is a determination of the DoS as to the safeguards in place to prevent and detect foreign influence and company ownership of an organization prior to the execution of a contract. The FCL needs to be in place where classified information will be shared during the acquisition process. The review consists of corporate structure, including parent company ownership as being a US or foreign nation. Depending on the circumstances some U.S organizations with foreign ownership may not receive an FCL if the Foreign Ownership and Control or Influence (FOCI) risks cannot be mitigated.

 

URL:  Facility Clearance Level