Which is a responsibility of the DoD agency/component?

• A. The DoD contracting office
• B. The DoD agency/component
• C. The OPM
• D. The subject of the investigation

Answer: (B)

In DoD suitability adjudications, the entity that has the need-to-know and the authority to grant or deny access or a position is responsible for the final suitability decision. That means the DoD agency or component itself oversees the process from initiating the investigation to reviewing the results and issuing the decision.

The contracting office is focused on procurement actions and contract administration, not on making suitability determinations. OPM may conduct or coordinate background investigations, but the ultimate responsibility for adjudicating suitability rests with the DoD agency/component that will use or grant the clearance or position. The subject of the investigation is simply the person being reviewed, not a DoD responsibility.