I. PURPOSE

This directive establishes the FSIS Office of Administrative Services Physical Security (OASPS) Light Activation Station (LAS) program. It provides instructions and maintenance requirements related to LAS operations for designated Agency LAS Activators.

II. BACKGROUND

A. The LAS program provides FSIS with an alternative to the standard Fixed Credentialing Center. The LAS enables card activations and it only facilitates LincPass post-issuance activities. Enrollments will still require an employee to travel to a Fixed or Light Credentialing Center. LAS Activators use an internet web portal to access the General Services Administration’s (GSA) USAccess system directly and do not require use of the FSIS Virtual Private Network (VPN).

B. Identity characteristics of LincPass holders such as last names or e-mail addresses are subject to change. These changes create a significant demand for activation and post-issuance activities, such as card activations, Personal Identification Number (PIN) resets, and certificate updates. FSIS can use and relocate LAS units as the need arises providing additional convenience for employees.

C. The LAS program is managed by the OASPS team. Under Department Regulation 4620-002, Common Identification Standard for U.S. Department of Agriculture, a LincPass is a condition of employment for unaccompanied logical and physical access to Federal facilities and Government networks. Employees have a responsibility to maintain a valid LincPass at all times. To facilitate this requirement, FSIS/OASPS deployed one Fixed Credentialing Station at the George Washington Carver Center (GWCC) and strategically deployed 23 LAS stations throughout FSIS with the majority deployed to field locations. These units facilitate Pin Resets, Certificate Renewal and Card Activation capabilities. Please note that an LAS station cannot be used for enrollment; the employee must travel to a Credentialing Station to accomplish this task. The attachment to this directive reveals the location of the LAS stations supporting the mission and minimizing burden to employees. The majority of these stations are located at Office of Field Operations (OFO) and District Offices where the demand is high. FSIS employees, including field inspectors, benefit from deployment of LAS stations because these units reduce extensive travel, mileage, and costs associated with travel to and from fixed enrollment stations to perform routine and maintenance activities (e.g., card activations, PIN resets, and certificate updates).

III. PROCEDURES

A. The LAS Program Lead is the OASPS employee responsible for managing the overall LAS program from FSIS Headquarters. The lead completes the following actions:

1. Identifies the site point of contact (POC) for the designated site locations of the LAS units;
2. Coordinates with the site POC to identify employees for official designation as LAS Activators (in some cases the site POCs may hold the Activator role as well);
3. Informs the Agency Role Administrator, who is a designated employee within the Office of Administrative Services (OAS), to assign the designated employees with the Activator role in USAccess;
4. Coordinates with the Office of the Chief Information Office (OCIO) for shipment of the LAS computer and equipment to the designated FSIS location for the LAS;
5. Coordinates with the Site POC and GSA Advantage which is the GSA web-based system for the acquisition and shipment of the LAS units to designated FSIS locations;
6. Notifies the site POC when system updates and annual refresher trainings are available; 
7. Provides the POC with initial startup packet, which includes help guides, online training instructions, information on the Tracks & CIT Tool software, and the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) website with the username and password.

B. The site POC manages the LAS program and serves as the liaison between the LAS Program Lead and the LAS Activators. The following duties are to be performed:

1. Identifies LAS Activators at designated locations (Primary and Secondary);
2. Ensures LAS Activators have an active LincPass and password in order to operate the system; and
3. Ensures LAS Activators complete the appropriate training prior to assuming LAS Activator duties;
4. Provides LAS Activators with the initial startup packet mentioned above; and
5. Works with the LAS Program Lead to notify the LAS Activator when system updates are available

C. The LAS Activators manage the LAS units at designated locations by performing the following duties:

1. Upon receipt of the LAS unit, review and confirm a complete package list (i.e., two LincPass card readers, single fingerprint scanner, etc.);
2. Follow the installation guide provided as part of the initial startup packet, and work with the OCIO and OASPS team to ensure proper installation and connectivity of the designated workstation;
3. Coordinate with Agency IT staff to conduct installation and software updates when necessary. Technical support ensures full administrative access rights to access and install the necessary files. The software package is available at the USDA SFTP website. Login information for the SFTP website is included in the startup packet sent by the LAS Program Lead;
4. If IT staff is onsite, the LAS Activator may simply provide them with the USDA SFTP Log-in information to begin the download. If IT staff is not available, the LAS Activator is to call Footprints and request a temporary administrative password to complete the download or upgrade. Login information for the SFTP website is the same as indicated in section C.3;
5. Successfully complete an initial AgLearn training course and participate in annual refresher training to maintain LAS access and User Permissions;
6. Report to the OASPS team via email on the last business day of each month the numbers of PIN resets, certificate updates, and card activations performed; and
7. Contact the main points of contact from the LAS operation support listing (See section IV.) as appropriate when there are operational issues, concerns, or questions.

IV. FSIS LAS ACTIVATOR OPERATION SUPPORT LISTING

Role: FSIS OASPS Staff ​​​​​​​

• Contact: oasphysicalsecurityteam@fsis.usda.gov
• Areas/Activities Supported: LAS distribution and project management

Role: USDA HSPD-12 Help Desk​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Contact: 1-888-212-9309
• Areas/Activities Supported: LAS distribution and project management

Role: FSIS Footprints Service Desk

• Contact: 1-800-473-9135
• Areas/Activities Supported: Technical issues with laptop issues, logical access, obtaining admin rights for LAS software configuration or troubleshooting

Role: USAccess Help Desk

• Contact: 1-866-493-8391 Usaccess.helpdesk@eds.com
• Areas/Activities Supported: Questions regarding the USAccess System

V. QUESTIONS

For questions regarding the LincPass Light Activation Station program, please contact the OASPS staff at oasphysicalsecurityteam@fsis.usda.gov.