Trained to inspire.

Contract Background Investigators

 by Bev Wright (1980-2002)

Our national security depends on ensuring that individuals with access to our country’s sensitive and classified information are reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the U.S.

Contract Background Investigators (aka Special Investigators) interview subjects, employers, associates, references and other individuals about employment history, lifestyle and activities, foreign travel, criminal and financial background, encounters with law enforcement, drugs and alcohol use and other personal information to determine an individual’s suitability to be granted a security clearance. Investigators review records to resolve issues or to establish the background, reputation, character, suitability or qualifications of the subject under investigation and then submit investigative reports with the results of each lead covered.

Contract Background Investigators work from home and are paid by the hour or by the point per lead. In most cases, investigators are reimbursed for mileage, parking and other fees unless otherwise stated in the contract. Non-reimbursable expenses are business deductions. Hourly and point rates may range from $28 to $47. The cost of pens, paper, notebooks, printer ink and office equipment are tax-deductible as business expenses. Contact an accountant for advice.

Income potential is based on work volume, which depends on the agency or company with which you contract and the geographic area in which you live. Some agencies and companies generate more work in certain parts of the country than others. Near Washington, DC, with all the government and military agencies around, income level and work volume can be dramatic, even for part-time work, and you may only need to work for one company or agency. In other parts of the country with few, if any, nearby agencies, you may want to be credentialed with multiple agencies. The larger the agency, the more likely they will have a larger volume of cases to be worked in various parts of the U.S. An investigator in Washington, DC, might want a minimum of two contracts, while elsewhere an investigator might be likely to obtain four to five contracts.

A variety of government agencies hire Contract Background Investigators either directly from the agency or through a contracted company. Basic requirements are a Bachelor’s degree, a current driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle and willingness to travel up to 100 miles roundtrip to cover leads; a home office equipped with high-speed Internet, personal computer compatible with Microsoft applications and a fax machine; good time management skills; good written and oral communication skills and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

Although FBI Agents have experience conducting investigations, interviewing people and writing reports, some agencies and companies, such as the Department of State and Omniplex/Omnisec (http://www.omniplex.com/careers/contract-investigators) require an additional two to three years of recent background investigations experience before they will consider hiring you. Two companies, CACI and KeyPoint Solutions (http://www.keypoint.us.com/careers/experienced-opm-investigators/) will hire investigators with no recent background investigations experience and train them via an OPM New Investigator Training course. The FBI BICS program minimum qualifications include three years prior experience in federal law enforcement investigative work.

In the December, 14, 2015 issue of the “Society Scoop” e-newsletter, there was a call for BICS investigators in El Paso, Boston, Los Angeles County, Island of Guam, New York and Washington DC. “Retired FBI Special Agents possess invaluable investigative experience. The FBI’s Background Investigations Contract Services (BICS) unit is seeking to employ Retired Special Agents as contract Special Investigators (SIs). BICS hires former/retired 1811 federal law enforcement with extensive and background interview experience. If you enjoyed being an investigator, meeting and interviewing different people from all walks of life, we welcome you to consider coming back to work as a contractor for the FBI — as a BICS Special Investigator. It is not uncommon for retired Agents to work for BICS for 20 or more years. Experienced candidates should send an email with their resume to [email protected]. BICS will acknowledge receipt of your resume and respond via a letter regarding the current hiring needs in your area.” Minimum qualifications include:

• Not currently working for the federal government
• Previously maintained or able to maintain a TS clearance
• Three (3) years prior experience in federal law enforcement investigative work
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Possess a facsimile machine in a secure environment (not publicly accessible)
• Meet criteria outlined in the BICS Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA)
• No perceived conflict of interest
• Ability to prepare investigative reports and use the internet to receive and send BICS-related matters

To get a security clearance after retirement, investigator candidates must first be hired by an agency or a company to conduct background investigations. Once this acceptance occurs, the investigator candidate will complete a new SF-86 or the electronic equivalent, the e-QIP and undergo a new background investigation. Even with a prior clearance, it can take a while to get a new clearance.

A Contract Background Investigator position is ideal for retirees who want to work either full-time or part-time and still contribute to our nation’s security.

Great Resource for Contract Background Investigators
Like the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, Contract Investigators have their own organization — Association of Certified Background Investigators (ACBI). Check out their website at www.ACBI.net. It is the best place to learn about doing background investigations, and which agencies and contract companies are hiring. At their conference in VA every two years, all the agencies and contract companies come to recruit Investigators. At the last conference in Virginia, they also hosted a BICS regional meeting. It is a good resource for Society members who want to get into Background Investigations. Although FBI/BICS supplies a lot of work in the major cities, elsewhere, members need to work for other agencies and/or contract companies as well, to fill up their time. ACBI supplies a lot of that information. — Alan Stoddart, Director #1 and Acting Vice President of ACBI (BICS Special Investigator in NYC for 19 Years) 

Mike Bartley (1969-1998)
Contract Background Investigator for BICS

As I began to contemplate retirement after nearly 30 years as a “Street Agent” serving in RAs, various criminal and drug squads and task forces, I realized how much freedom I had in order to solve cases. I knew I did not have the personality to be desk bound and work in a “white collar environment.” Upon retirement in early 1998, I applied to the FBI Background Contract Services (BICs) unit. Almost immediately I became a contract Background Investigator. It was a learning process, and it was pointed out to me “you aren’t dealing with bad guys anymore.” My time as an Agent had honed my interviewing and report writing skills.

My assignments were varied, as were the locations. I traveled not only in the Phoenix and Tucson areas but also took on assignments at Los Alamos, NM doing mainly five-year re-investigations for employees at the National Laboratory. I met some of our country’s foremost scientists and realized the high degree of security and clearances needed for these positions.

During my background cases in Arizona, I met many very interesting people, whom I interviewed as references. One of my favorite things about doing these investigations is going to so many varied businesses, corporations, educational institutes and other entities that applicants had been a part of.

Upon our move to a small town in Western PA, I continue doing BICs. I average five to six cases per month, travel many rural roads, and have had assignments in Northern Maryland and central West Virginia. I still enjoy the people I meet, the variety of jobs applicants I have had, and the satisfaction in knowing I still contribute to the FBI mission and the security of our great country.

If a retired law enforcement professional wants a rewarding, part-time position where you meet many types of people, learn about varied business and educational entities and see the countryside, becoming a background investigator might be for them. I know it has been for me the past 18 years.

Don C. Birdwell (1955-1978)
Retired Contract Security Background Investigator

Following my retirement as a Special Agent, I was employed by the Northern Bank of Tennessee (now Regions Bank) as a Trust Officer. Following my retirement from Regions Bank, I enjoyed traveling with my wife Betty and playing golf about three days a week.

In approximately 1994, until 2015, I worked as a Contract Security Background Investigator for the FBI in Clarksville, TN, the middle district of Tennessee, and southern Kentucky, including Fort Campbell, KY Army Base.

This employment was very satisfying, as I was able to establish my own daily activities and schedule, earn a very good hourly rate of pay, and felt I was still contributing to the important work that was delegated to the FBI. Being a member of the Society was also very helpful to me in carrying out the work I was assigned, as I could look up in the directory other former Agents, who were performing this same type of work, and coordinate our respective assignments.

Through this employment, while conducting many security background investigations, I was able to meet some of the highest national, state and city officials. The most satisfying interviews I conducted were at Fort Campbell, KY, where my work carried me regularly into some of the most highly classified Army units, including the 101st Airborne Division, 160th Special Operations Regiment, as well as the 5th Special Forces. The FBI has received many highly qualified applicants from those and other Army units.

The FBI Supervisors, their assistants and technical personnel were always available for advice and direction when needed. I highly recommend to anyone qualified and interested, employment as a Security Background Investigator for the FBI.

Bennie F. (Ben) Brewer (1971-1999)
BICS Special Investigator and Retired Special Agent

After years of dealing with managerial responsibilities in the FBI, background investigations have been a welcome change. Perhaps the biggest benefit from a personal perspective has been the freedom afforded by working independently without direct supervision or the responsibility for supervising others. From accepting or rejecting a case to personally determining the course of action to be used in resolving a case, the decision-making is solely within the purview of the investigator. There is a certain nostalgia involved in these investigations as well. In response to a comment that it was reminiscent of the early days on the street with the FBI “chasing down leads,” another retired Agent gleefully responded, “Like it was yesterday!” When moving into management, there is a tendency to forget, or remember fondly, what itwas like to enjoy the benefits of being a “street agent,” clearly some of the best days on the job.

The importance of BICS investigations should be self-evident. It is paramount that every effort be made to ensure candidates who may be employed in any aspect of public service are above reproach. They may oftentimes deal with sensitive, classified information and make decisions affecting national security. Other positions may also involve decisions regarding law enforcement or judicial matters as well as administrative issues at the federal departmental level.

The opportunity to meet people in virtually every walk of life has also been rewarding. Being an ambassador of good will for the FBI by professional conduct and cordial interaction with others is a constant, welcome challenge. The cooperation by those whose backgrounds are being investigated and those with whom they have personal interaction has been a pleasant experience.

This is in no small way due to the high esteem in which the FBI continues to be held. Ultimately, this work and being a member of the Society have also been a way of maintaining an ongoing connection with the FBI, an organization in which it has been a privilege and honor to serve.

Robert S. Buehler (1978-2007)
Contract Background Investigator (BICS)

Did I choose to do background cases on purpose? Actually, no; it was quite by accident. In the mid-80s, WFO had a policy that all Agents coming off a special assignment were to work applicant cases for one year. Returning fresh off the director’s security detail, there I was working special inquiry matters: White House staff, judicial appointments, including the Supreme Court and presidential appointments. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, I assisted with the Rodney King case, which was handled by the Civil Rights/Applicant squad; affectionately known as “CRAP.” As such, I had to work backgrounds in addition to hate crimes and color of law matters. Later, I supervised that squad. Once retired, I was bored after 3 months, and when I called BICS, there was an opening. I needed to get out of the house, keep my mind working and be part of the team again. We are all in the Bureau because someone conducted these investigations; and we passed them. I always thought that was important. So now, I’m contributing, I don’t have to deal with office politics, and I set my own hours to manage the deadlines. Now residing in Tampa, getting round is much easier, and there’s just enough work to keep me busy. Putting a face on the Bureau is important, and these cases offer the public the chance to meet us in a positive and friendly way. So was all this by accident? I would say I was in the right place at the right time.

Thomas J Cotton (1970-1995)
Contract Background Investigator (BICS)

I began my second career as a BICS Special Investigator in December 1997 in Dallas, TX. I had retired from the Dallas Field Office in June 1995 and was looking for a change when the BICS Program was initiated in the Southwest section of the country which included the Dallas, TX area. After attending a one-day training session, I was assigned a variety of cases that included Bureau applicants, Task Force Officers, AUSA applicants and Bankruptcy Court Judge applicants.

Initially, I was very busy and sometimes working four days a week, although not a full eight hours. As the ranks of Special Investigators increased over the years in Dallas, TX, the amount of work sometimes slowed down. In August 2012, I returned to the Philadelphia, PA area to be closer to family and continued working with BICS. I have found that there is more work in the northeast than there was in south central Texas. I have enjoyed all these years as a BICS Special Investigator because I get to see the caliber of Bureau, DOJ and U.S. Court applicants.

While each case has its own deadline, I am able to make my own schedule and take time off whenever I desire. I have worked for other background investigation companies; however, the BICS Program has proven to be the best in terms of user-friendly computer programs and the quality of BICS employees with whom I interact. If you are interested, contact the BICS Unit at FBIHQ.

Indalecio “Andy” Guzman (1978-2013)
Contract Background Investigator

Once I retired in 2002, on and off, I conducted Background Investigations (BIs). I just could not stop working “cold turkey.” If you enjoyed street work, Contract Background Investigations (CBI) is for you. When it was time for me to retire, I assessed my two options of not working at all or just working smarter. I’m glad I spent time considering “life after the Bureau.”

Being an “old hound dog,” I just could not sit on the porch and watch the young ones going off on the chase. I decided to work smarter and diversified my options by opening a business —“Defense Pistol Training Group” (DPTG); conducting part-time BIs; and working as a Personal Security Consultant, Subject Matter Expert and Senior Law Enforcement Advisor. DPTG provided the opportunity to become my own boss; CBI provided another set of credentials; and all of them gave me the opportunity to continue utilizing my Special Agent knowledge, skills and abilities. I felt empowered and still in the fight. They made my transition to the former Agent status less painful. I still miss the Bureau. Nevertheless, being a Society member helps me keep in touch with my FBI family.

When considering a CBI career, be mindful that it is FBI Applicant Squad type of work with the following twist:
Full or part-time positions are available throughout the U.S.
and anticipated to grow by about 11 percent by 2022.
Besides FBI BICS, leading companies hiring are OMNIPLEX World Services Corporation, CACI International Inc, Innoviss/MSM Security Services LLC and CSRA Government Solutions LLC. The bulk of BIs are conducted for DHS, CBP and ICE.
The average annual salary is about $54,000, based on the hourly rate of $27-$35.
Work out of home utilizing personal vehicle. Mileage and/or travel time, toll, parking and miscellaneous expenses are reimbursed.
Cases have deadlines. Personal computers are utilized to write a Report of Investigation (ROI) on a secure system.
A current/active DOD TS Security Clearance is required. Some companies have been known to conduct a “periodic reinvestigation” for an expired clearance.
You are not allowed to carry a concealed gun while conducting BIs.

“Buena Suerte” to those who go down range.

Otto R. Johnson (1971–1997)
Retired Contract Background Investigator

I retired in 1997 after 26 years as a Special Agent. I immediately applied to FBI/BICS and also to some other organizations with USG contracts to do contract background investigations. I also became a licensed PI in my home state. It took nearly a year before I was awarded contracts and began work as a federal contractor. The work was mainly at college campuses around the state but also included a few defense contractors facilities, which produced a steady stream of cases on their engineers and technicians engaged in classified work. After a few busy years, I gradually reduced my work load by declining new cases occasionally on contracts that permitted that. Eventually, I opted not to renew certain contracts until the only contract I had was with FBI/BICS. I finally retired altogether at age 75, 18 years after my original “retirement.”

The investigative work itself, although mundane and repetitive, was rewarding to me psychologically. This was especially true of the FBI work since it gave me an ongoing connection with my FBI “family,” in and out of the local field office, interviewing current personnel about their coworkers who underwent their periodic re-investigations. I took pride in my work and on several occasions, uncovered unfavorable issues on new applicants and prevented them from being hired into  sensitive USG positions. Although the work was part time, it generated substantial supplementary income (about a quarter million dollars). I recommend the contract investigator position to new retirees who still want to work part time and gradually ease into full retirement.

James E. Michaels (1971-1991)
Contract Background Investigator (BICS)

I began conducting background investigations for the FBI/BICS program in 1999 based on recommendations of others who began earlier. I found that after I started, I really enjoyed the work and the interaction with the community. Not all aspects are a joy; short deadlines make working for different agencies a headache. However, you are able to control the amount of work that you accept, and therefore moderate your work load.

Then in about 2001, I added additional contracts with the U.S. Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and other private companies that held background investigation contracts with government agencies. Still later in 2010, I added USAID and ATF. In the early years, it took numerous contracts to keep one busy. However, over the years, both FBI, State Department and ATF have increased their work load to the point, where I had to discontinue work with the private companies. Over time, some of the private companies had to reduce their investigator compensation to the point where they became non-competitive. The one private company from which I still accept work is ADC in Albuquerque, NM. They are a pleasure to work with.

Society membership is a great organization in which to network with other investigators and friends. Another organization more directly associated with background investigators is the Association of Certified Background Investigators (ACBI). You can peruse their website at acbi.net. Membership is $50 per year and worth it if one is just beginning.

William “Steve” Noonan (1969-2004)
Contract Background Investigator

After a 30-year career, all in the Detroit FBI Office, which included a brief assignment at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay in 2002 interviewing detainees, I retired in 2004. I worked primarily counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations. A former co-worker and friend suggested working for the Background Investigation Contracts Services (BICS) as a contract worker upon my retirement. I have worked for BICS for over ten years now. I still live in Michigan and receive work orders from BICS to conduct background investigations on candidates/applicants, for positions with the FBI and Department of Justice, and also of other law enforcement officers who may require government clearances to have access to certain information. The employees with BICS are nice to work for and very helpful. You are given work orders with leads to conduct certain investigations with the number of hours of investigation, which range from verifying the candidate or applicant’s education, current and/or former employment, interviewing his or her former supervisor(s) and co-workers, and reviewing their personnel file as well as their education — confirming the colleges/universities which they attended and obtaining a copy of their transcript, which shows verification of their degrees. Also, I interview former professors and check other offices at the colleges regarding disciplinary and police record checks. Basically it’s to verify the bona fides of the candidate or applicant. Also, I conduct background inquiries of other law enforcement personnel, such as police officers who work on task forces, who are being considered for security clearances, in order to ensure that their backgrounds are suitable to gain access to classified information. BICS contract workers get paid for investigative hours, travel time and mileage, and certain other expenses. I also contact neighbors of the applicant or candidate about them and interview their references. It’s interesting work and you meet some very interesting people and it’s good to know that the Bureau and DOJ are hiring highly qualified personnel with good backgrounds, who are highly motivated and want to serve our nation. I like working for BICS and I feel like I’m serving our great nation.

Gregg Schwarz (1972-2001)
Special Investigator, FBI

Prior to retirement, I served as the SSA at the Background Investigations Contract Services, (BICS). This assignment followed my ten years in Detroit where I was working fugitive matters and drugs. Having worked BI work for eight years and serving as the SSA at BICS, I knew the subject matter well. I was then employed as a Project Manager for several companies chasing contracts with several customers. Today there is BICS, Omnisec, Kroll, State Department, OPM, USSS, CACI, ICE, USCBP, and the list goes on. Your chances of obtaining a position are based upon the need of the agency in your area and if you currently hold a clearance. The lesson here is to maintain your clearance. They do not like to pay for uncleared personnel. OPM is always in need of investigators and they will accept you for a clearance as you attend the investigative school. It can be frustrating, but if your clearance has xpired, this is a way to obtain it. An investigator needs to determine what they want out of the assignments and how much work you actually require. Each entity has its own reporting procedures, some of which remain cumbersome. As you speak to each investigator you will hear different stories, so ask as many questions as you wish. You must remain flexible and open to assignments. The compensation, the audit system, expectation of mileage, questioning, reporting, and the submission of vouchers all differ so you need to question as many investigators as possible. This post-Bureau career is very enlightening as you are able to interview a true cross section of society.

Wayne T. Smith (1973-2004)
Contract Background Investigator

In 2005, subsequent to over 30 years of service with the FBI, I began conducting background investigations for the Bureau. The job description entails interviews and written reports regarding FBI applicants (candidates); FBI employees (five-year re-investigations) and Department of Justice (DOJ) candidates and general security investigations for government clearances.
The nice part is that you get to meet and talk to cordial and polite individuals — no more criminal types.

The work is conducted at home (reports) and you can arrange interviews at your/others’ convenience. Although deadlines are issued, reports can be submitted past these deadlines, only a telephone to BICS to notify/reason for the delay. Not an issue.

To determine if a person is suitable for employment or worthy of a security clearance is rewarding, especially when you receive a reply that in fact they had received the job/clearance. I’ve received several telephone messages informing of a person’s ambitions being met.

Bev Wright (1980-2002)
Contract Background Investigator

Before I retired, I vowed that I would never work as a Background Investigator. I didn’t want to interview people or knock on doors. I also have a terrible sense of direction and when I retired, I had no GPS and no smartphone. After I got a GPS, I was no longer directionally-challenged. After being retired for eight years, of which five years were spent as a contractor at FBIHQ, I jumped at the chance to work as a Contract Background Investigator for a government agency because the magic words were “work from home.” I am good at asking questions and now I enjoy knocking on doors and I never get lost. The job is serious with important implications if you don’t do a thorough job, but it’s fun learning about the interviewee’s job and interests as well as about the subject. Recently, I took a second Contract Investigator job with a third-party company to give me some options. If you are still an on-board Agent, it is imperative to work for three years of the last ten years of your career on Applicant Investigations. Most of the companies want recent background investigations experience and criminal or counterintelligence investigations may not be enough, although for retired FBI, they may waive that requirement if they have a need in your geographic area. Being a Society member was crucial to getting into this field because it was through my Society chapter members that I heard about the jobs.