Washington, DC - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducted the final training session of Defense Security Service (DSS) agents and support staff on the use of OPM's computer system known as Personnel Investigations Processing System (PIPS). The final week-long training session, the last of a series that began in February, was completed this past week. In all, 1,411 agents and support staff were trained on the use of the PIPS system. This fulfills a commitment OPM made to the House Government Reform Committee at a hearing on May 6, 2004.

Director Kay Coles James stated, "The Department of Defense (DoD) approached OPM about using OPM's proprietary system to manage their caseload of background investigations. Not only does it provide for better accountability and workload management of background investigations, it also saves taxpayers millions. We were pleased to honor DoD's request and train the staff they recommended within the established deadline."

The Department of Defense began moving background investigation cases to OPM for processing in February 2004. All new investigations are now being managed in the PIPS system. To date, over 85,000 new DSS investigations have been scheduled for processing in PIPS.

DoD estimates they will save $100 million that would have been needed to upgrade their system, in addition to annual maintenance costs.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.