In a suitability investigation, what is the role of the Investigative Service Provider (ISP)?

• A. They collect information in accordance with established criteria in 5 CFR Part 731: Suitability and Fitness.
• B. They approve final trust determinations.
• C. They set the investigation timelines for each case.
• D. They determine which agencies will receive the results.

Answer: (A)

The Investigative Service Provider’s job in a suitability investigation is to collect information from a variety of sources according to the criteria laid out in 5 CFR Part 731: Suitability and Fitness. They conduct background checks, gather records, verify data, and perform interviews using standardized procedures to build an accurate picture of an individual’s suitability. They do not decide whether someone is suitable; that determination is made later by an adjudicator or the employing agency after reviewing the ISP’s collected information. They also do not set investigation timelines or decide which agencies will receive the results—the agency and security process handle those aspects. The key point is that the ISP’s role is information collection aligned with regulatory criteria, not decision-making or dissemination.