NISP Contracts Classification System (NCCS)

The National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Contracts Classification System (NCCS)

NCCS was originally deployed in 2016 in the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) system, Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE). DCSA assumed operational control and development responsibility for NCCS from DLA on October 1, 2021. NCCS was launched on June 6, 2022.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The system will return a “USER NOT FOUND” error for users who have not completed the onboarding process.

Instructions on onboarding and user role registration for NCCS can be accessed here:

Users who have completed the onboarding process can access NCCS at: https://tesseract.cloud.dcsa.mil/nccs/.
For additional information about NCCS, please review the sections below.
If you have any problems with the system usage, please email us at: dcsa.quantico.hq.mbx.nccs@mail.mil.

Government Onboarding: Phase 3

March 6, 2023 –The NCCS team will begin coordinating Phase 3 of Government Onboarding in March 2023. All Agencies included within this phase can be found here: https://www.dcsa.mil/is/nccs/gov_onboarding/. The NCCS Team will reach out to the identified representatives for each organization in an effort to coordinate and facilitate onboarding into the system. The NCCS Team will hold monthly open house forums to answer any questions on the onboarding process.

 

DVIDS news

March 6, 2023 –The NCCS Team posted a new training video titled, "How to Access NCCS”, to DVIDS. The link, https://www.dvidshub.net/video/873835/gaining-access-nccs-20, along with other training artifacts can be found on the NCCS training resource page, https://www.dcsa.mil/is/nccs/training/. After following the steps covered in this video, a new user is provisioned and can register their profile and request roles within NCCS. Please check with your organizations policies prior to registering for NCCS.

 

FAR Technical Release Published

August 10, 2022 – The technical amendment to the FAR was published updating FAR 4.402(d)(1) to reflect the following:


“Provided that the data submittal is unclassified, the DD Form 254 shall be completed electronically in the NISP Contract Classification System (NCCS), which is accessible at https://www.dcsa.mil/is/nccs/.” (Ref: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.402, para 4)

 

Soft launch of NCCS 2.0

6 June 2022: Soft launch of NCCS 2.0 - NCCS 2.0 was approved for soft launch.  Registration is a two part process. For legacy users, DCSA will be working with the agencies who had active accounts to the previous iteration of the system and develop a timeline for the batch processing of those accounts.  The batch process will grant those users access to the platform that hosts the NCCS system. From there, users will be able to complete the registration process for a NCCS role. The user role will then be forwarded to that agency’s Government Account Manager (GAM).  The request will remain pending until the GAM is established and the request has been reviewed and approved. For new users, see the Onboarding section of this site.

 

NCCS Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

16 May 2022: NCCS Minimum Viable Product (MVP) NCCS MVP development has concluded and the NCCS team is currently transferring legacy Government users into the new application.

 

FAR 4.402 has been updated

1 May 2022 - FAR 4.402 has been updated to reflect the new NCCS guidance and application link.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  NCCS resides on a secure government platform. If you have not been on boarded to the platform, you will received an error message.  See the Onboarding section how to gain access to NCCS.

 

System Testing starting

March 17, 2022- System Testing starting - NCCS has concluded MVP develop and will be undergoing Government Acceptance (GAT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) beginning March 17, 2022.

 

 

NISP Contract Classification System (NCCS)

The National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Contract Classification System (NCCS) is the enterprise federal information system supporting Department of Defense, other Federal Agencies under NISP agreement, and cleared Industry. NCCS is the one-stop-shop for processing and distribution of contract security classification specifications for contracts requiring access to classified information.

NCCS is designed to deliver a centralized repository for the collection of contract security requirements while automating the DD Form 254 (DoD Contract Security Classification Specification) processes and workflows across the enterprise.

  • Role-based workflow system
  • Ability to register for up to three user roles
  • Enables end-to-end processing to expedite the DD Form 254 process
  • Ability to select reviewers and certifiers across the application
  • Contains tailorable dashboards
  • Ability to track individual processing statuses
  • Easy access to built-in reporting functionality for refined metrics to meet reporting needs
  • In system users help guides throughout the creating of the DD Form 254

Agency Onboarding Champions will need to ensure all users registering meet the following criteria for system access:

  • Ensure individuals have a minimum of an adjudicated T1 investigation.
  • Confirm individuals have PKI certificates (either a Common Access Card (CAC) or DoD-approved External Certification Authority (ECA)certificate)
  • Complete System Access Request (SAAR) form (DD2875) for user account creation.
  • Complete DoD-sponsored Cybersecurity training within past 12 months

Federal Government

  • Identify an Agency Onboarding Champion to serve as the main point of contact (POC) and sponsor throughout the Onboarding process
  • Determine how their hierarchy should be set up in NCCS
  • Provide their agency’s hierarchy to DCSA
  • Identify one POC at the organization’s 1st tier to serve as the initial GAM
  • Onboard to the platform and register for a GAM Category 1 at the 1st tier
  • Establish the organizations processes and procedures on how their users will operate within NCCS

Industry Partner

  • Identify an Company Onboarding Champion to serve as the main point of contact (POC) and sponsor throughout the Onboarding process
  • Determine how their hierarchy should be set up in NCCS
  • Provide their company’s hierarchy to DCSA; CAGE code relationships
  • Identify one POC at the company’s 1st tier to serve as the initial CAM
  • Onboard to the platform and register for a CAM Category 1 at the 1st tier
  • Establish the companies processes and procedures on how their users will operate within NCCS

The following roles will be available for External users. An external user can request up to three roles, if required for their job duties.

Government Account Management

  • Government Account Manager (GAM)

Government User Roles

  • Originator
  • Reviewer
  • Contracting Officer
  • Certifying Official
  • Operations Officer (optional)

Industry Account Management

  • Contractor Account Manager (CAM)

Industry User Roles

  • Originator
  • Reviewer
  • Certifier
  • Operations Officer (optional)

For a more information about each role, their permission, and registration requirements, review the slick sheets in the NCCS Training Materials https://www.dcsa.mil/is/nccs/training section of the NCCS website.

NCCS FAQs

WHY WAS NCCS CREATED?

Mandated by FAR 4.402, effective August 3, 2020, NCCS was designed to improve upon the processing of the DD Form 254. NCCS replaces the need for PDF processing of the DD Form 254, and provides an automated solution for collection, retrieval and management of the DD Form 254.

NCCS will:

  • Serve as a centralized repository for all DD Form 254s
  • Fully integrate an automated workflow for processing the DD Form 254
  • Retrieve real-time statuses of DD Form 254 submissions, reviews, approvals, clarification, and/or rejection of request
  • Provide oversight of all DD Form 254s, including subcontracts across the DoD, Federal Agencies under NISP agreement, and Industry

WHEN WILL NCCS BE RELEASED?

NCCS 2.0 was soft launched on June 6, 2022. The soft launch NCCS 2.0 is an early version of the software to deliver basic capabilities to users to evaluate and provide feedback on. The soft launch activities and feedback will help shape the scope and design for the first official release later this year.

HOW WILL NCCS CHANGE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS?

NCCS improves efficiency by automating manual practices and removing paper from the DD Form 254 process. NCCS will provide enhanced user experience (UX) and increase visibility into DD Form 254 status. NCCS will also provide enhanced oversight to contracts across agency purview, including subcontracts.

WHERE IS NCCS HOSTED?

NCCS is hosted on a secured cloud architecture that provides security, privacy, and data protection in a functional design.

WHAT IS THE ONBOARDING PROCESS LIKE?

As DCSA onboards agencies to NCCS, we are committed to supporting them every step of the way. To begin onboarding to NCCS, agencies must first gain access to the hosting platform. To gain access agencies must complete the following:

SAARs can be submitted to the NCCS team at: dcsa.quantico.hq.mbx.nccs-support@mail.mil

Once onboarded to the main platform users will gain access to the NCCS application where they will submit more detailed information regarding their agency hierarchy, and select their user roles within the NCCS for final approval.

  • Identify an Agency Onboarding Champion to serve as the main point of contact (POC) and sponsor throughout the Onboarding process
  • Confirm your agency has access to a compatible internet browser (i.e., the three most recent versions of Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge)
  • Ensure individuals have a minimum of an adjudicated T1 investigation.
  • Confirm individuals have the necessary smartcard for identity authentication that performs a trusted, PKI certification in compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (e.g., Common Access Card (CAC), Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card)
  • Complete System Access Request (SAAR) form (DD2875) for user account creation.
    •  Government SAAR Template (please post this)
  • Complete DoD-sponsored Cybersecurity training within past 12 months

WHEN SHOULD I START THE ONBOARDING PROCESS?

Users should follow their agency’s/organization’s implementation guidance for NCCS onboarding and use.

WHAT IS THE ONBOARDING PROCESS LIKE FOR LEGACY USERS?

Legacy user onboarding is a two-step process:

STEP 1: For those agencies who had users in the previous version of NCCS, DCSA has procedures in place to mass onboard the legacy users for access to the secure platform. Legacy users will only be mass onboard if requested by the agency. 

STEP 2: Once platform access is approved, user may register for a role within the NCCS application, located here: https://tesseract.cloud.dcsa.mil/nccs/

See the Onboarding section in the main menu for additional details.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR NON-LEGACY USERS?

Non-legacy user onboarding is a two-step process:

STEP 1: Complete the attached SAAR (Parts I, II, and III are required) DD Form 2875 SAAR and submit the completed SAAR documents should be sent to dcsa.quantico.hq.mbx.nccs-support@mail.mil

STEP 2: Once the SAAR has been processed, users will receive a notification to register for a role within the NCCS application, located here: https://tesseract.cloud.dcsa.mil/nccs/

See the Onboarding section in the main menu for additional details.

WHAT DO I NEED TO HAVE TO BE GRANTED ACCESS TO THE DCSA PLATFORM?

 

  • Ensure individuals have a minimum of an adjudicated T1 investigation.
  • Confirm individuals have the necessary smartcard for identity authentication that performs a trusted, PKI certificates (either a Common Access Card (CAC) or DoD-approved External Certification Authority (ECA) certificate)
  • Complete DoD-sponsored Cybersecurity training within past 12 months

 

WHERE DO I NEED TO FIND THE SAAR?

The SAAR for NCCS can be found in the Onboarding section or by selecting the link below:

CAN I GAIN ACCESS TO THE PLATFORM OR THE APP USING A USER NAME AND PASSWORD?

No. NCCS allows for the storage of CUI, and is accredited on an IL5 environment, only allowing for the use of PKI certificates (either a Common Access Card (CAC) or DoD-approved External Certification Authority (ECA) certificate) for system access.

WHAT IS A GAM?

GAM stands for Government Account Manager. The GAM role is used to approve user roles such as Originator, Reviewer, Contracting Officer, Certify Official, or Operations Officer. Review the slick sheets posted in the Training Material section in the main menu for additional details.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A GAM CATEGORY 1 AND A GAM CATEGORY 2?

The only difference between a GAM Category 1 and a GAM Category 2 is that a Category 2 cannot approve other GAMs

WHAT WAS THE REQUIRED ROLES TO CREATE A DD FORM 254 FOR GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS?

Originator, Reviewer, Certifying Officialontracting Officer are the required roles needed to complete the creation of a DD 254.

Operations Officer is an optional role used for created reports and metrics.

Review the slick sheets posted in the Training Material section in the main menu for additional details.

FOR GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, WHAT ROLE APPROVES USER ROLES (ORIGINATOR, REVIEWER, CONTRACTING OFFICER, CERTIFYING OFFICAL, OR OPERATIONS OFFICER)?

Any Government Account Manager (GAM) with your category or above.

Review the Approval Process posted in the Training Material section in the main menu for additional details.

CAN I ADD A REVIEWER, A CERTIFYING OFFICIAL, OR A CONTRACTING OFFICER OUTSIDE OF MY ORGANIZATION?

Yes.

How to access NCCS