Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP)

Quick Reference Guide for e-QIP Applicants System Overview Browser Requirements Getting Started Choosing your Golden Questions/Answers Entering your Data Displaying your Data Listing Expected Attachments Certifying your Data
System Overview

Welcome to the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. e-QIP is a web-based automated system that was designed to facilitate the processing of standard investigative forms used when conducting background investigations. e-QIP allows the user to electronically enter, update and transmit their personal investigative data over a secure internet connect to a requesting agency. The requesting agency will review and approve the investigative data.
Browser Requirements

e-QIP is compatible with most well known browsers including Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari. The following settings should serve as a guide for configuring your browser.
Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE)

If using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), you must have version 6.0 or higher. Internet Options for IE should be set as follows: Select Tools (top of Internet Explorer Tool Bar) Select Internet Options Select the Advanced Tab (far right button) Select Security Click "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" Click "Empty temporary Internet Files Folder when browser is closed" Select General Tab (top left) Select Temporary Internet Files Click Delete Cookies box and Delete Files box To enable TLS 1.0 in IE, on the top menu: Select Tools Select Internet Options Select the tab labeled Advanced Scroll down to the Security section Check the box to enable TLS 1.0 Click the OK button to save
Mozilla Firefox

If using Mozilla Firefox (or Netscape), you must have version 0.9.4 or newer. Although security settings may be preset to default to appropriate settings, you should verify. Select Tools Select Options Select Advanced Select the Encryption tab Under Protocols , check the boxes to enable SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0 Select Privacy Select Accept Cookies From Site Uncheck "Remember what I have entered in format and the search bar" Uncheck "Remember what I have downloaded" Check "Always clear my private data when I close Firefox" Select Setting In the "Clear Private Data Window" ensure that "Download History, Saved Form and Search Data, Cache, Cookies, Offline Website Data and Authenticated Sessions" are checked, then click "OK"
Apple Safari

If using Safari, you must have Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher version or Firefox 2.0.0.12 - Mac version web browser at the "User Agent" category or higher for Firefox. Use the following instructions to configure your Safari browser to access e-QIP. On the Menu Bar Select Edit box (top of screen) Preferences Security Accept Cookies (only from site that you navigate to) Advanced Check the box labeled "Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar" Click proxies - Change settings box (Opens to Internet Explorer (IE) Properties Boxes) Advanced tab Security category is located near bottom of page Click "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" Click "Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed" Click/enable SSL 2.0 SSL 3.0 TLS.1 Exit Preferences Window On Menu Bar select "Develop User Agent"
JAWS Screen Reading Software

JAWS (Job Access with Speech) is a vocal screen reading software program that enables visually impaired users of e-QIP to complete their form. JAWS provides text to speech recognition. To use the JAWS ScreenReading Software, you must use Internet Explorer 6.0 or later and JAWS 10.0 or later. Getting Started 1. Start your internet browser and enter the following URL Website address: https://www.eqip.opm.gov/eqip/eQIP 2. The e-QIP Gateway Page will appear. Scroll down and click the button labeled ENTER e-QIP

APPLICANT SITE . 3. A "browser checker" utility will automatically run and test your computer for e-QIP compatibility. Be sure that you have three green checkmarks and click the CONTINUE button to proceed to the application. If you receive the error message "Page Cannot Be Displayed" please follow the instructions to enable TLS 1.0 on the "Testing Your Web Browser for Compatibility" page. To enable the TLS 1.0 . Go to Tools Internet Options Advanced Tab (top right) Scroll to the bottom of the page and check Use TLS 1.0 Then Click "OK" 4. A Security Alert box may appear asking "Do you want to proceed?" Click the YES button using the mouse or type {ALT Y} on your keyboard to continue. 5. The e-QIP Welcome Screen will appear. "Enter your Social Security Number" in the text entry boxes and click the "SUBMIT" button to logon to the e-QIP applicant site. 6. Answer the three (3) default Golden Questions (Your last name, city of birth, year of birth). Once you're in, the system will then prompt you to create three new Golden Questions and Answers, (please see the applicable section inside this brochure for further information). 7. Click the highlighted link that says "Enter your Data". If you applying to multiple agencies make sure that you are entering the correct Investigative Request. 8. Complete the sections of the form in any order that you chose. As you complete the questions, click the "save" button. Your information should be confirmed "Validate" after every screen. After you complete the form, the Validate, Review and Certify section will list any information that is missing information. This information must be added or you will not be able to release your investigation. (After you click the Certify Your Investigation Request button, you will not be able to make more changes to your eQIP). 9. Print out the release forms to and certify your signature. Please note that your signature should be legible. The signed forms go to your hiring agency. You may also print out an archival copy for your records. [If you have difficulty opening the forms to print, right click the link, choose "File Save As" then save file on your computer. Open Adobe Acrobat Reader on a separate browser. Open the saved e-QIP file and print. 10. After you have printed and saved your information, click the "Release Request/Transmit to Agency" button at the bottom of the page. Your investigation will not begin until you release your data.
Choosing Your Golden Questions/Answers

It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to create and remember your Golden Questions. Golden Questions enable eQIP to verify your identity. Create a combination of Golden Questions that only you will know the correct answers to. The Golden Questions/Answers are one of several security measures that have been built into eQIP to help to minimize unauthorized access to your information. Remember that it may be several years before you return to the e-QIP system to complete a reinvestigation so it is recommended that you use responses that you will remember in the distant future. Please contact your requesting agency (the agency that initiated you onto e-QIP) if you have difficulty with your login.
Entering Your Golden Questions/Answers

After you have selected your set of Golden Questions/Answers, enter each Question under the "Question" header and enter the corresponding Answer under the "Answer" block. All three boxes must have a Golden Question and Answer. You cannot respond by leaving the question/answer area blank.

It is your responsibility to protect the answers to your Golden Questions. Golden Answers are your "password" to the e-QIP system. The text entry fields for Golden Answers are not password protected to allow for more accurate entry of your answers. Asterisks automatically mask Golden Answers but if you choose, you can view your answers while typing them if you click the "ALLOW ME TO SEE MY GOLDEN ANSWERS" checkbox. Do not allow someone to see your computer screen while your answers are on the screen. If someone sees your responses, the person can logon as you and they will have access to your personal data.
Entering Your Data
First Time Data Entry:

Prior to entering data for the first time, read the instructions on the "Form Completion Instructions" screen. Confirm that you have read and understand the document by clicking the corresponding button. For the SF-86 form, you will also be shown a disclaimer screen that provides additional instructions required by Executive Order 12968. You will need to indicate that you have read and understand the additional instructions by clicking the corresponding button.
Question Navigation:

You may use the Navigation pull-down menu to go to any question, in any order by selecting the section (question). Then click "Go". The navigation menu is located at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Errors and Warnings:

After you click the SAVE button, if there is an error, the system will display the same screen with "Validation Results" at the top of the form. You must correct the data you have just entered. Validation messages occur only when you have not answered a question appropriately. For Validation "Error" messages, you may correct your data by scrolling to the appropriate field and editing. After making corrections, click the SAVE button at the bottom of the page to save your changes. Error messages must be corrected before final validation occurs. For validation "Warning" messages, you may either provide the requested information or check the box "I DO NOT KNOW THE REQUESTED INFORMATION" . In some cases an additional explanation is required if the check box is used. After choosing an action, click the SAVE button to save your changes. For validation "Error" and "Warning" messages, you may also choose to click the "Save/Continue" button. If you click Save/Continue, you can advance to the next question without making the correction. You will have to correct the information prior to the final submission of your form. If you make a mistake and have to start over, click the "Reset This Screen" button at any time prior to clicking the "Save" button. "Reset This Screen" will clear all answers on the screen. Reminder: If you continue to experience Login problems, you should contact the HR or Office of Security representative at your sponsoring organization.
Displaying Your Data

You can display and/or print your personal information at any time while you are entering your data by selecting the "Display" link on the top banner (located at the upper left-hand corner of the screen). By selecting "Display", a new browser window will appear. This window will contain an HTML formatted file, which will display on the screen all the data that has been entered up to that point. If desired, you can print the displayed data first by selecting "File" , then "Print" from the new browser window.

Validating Your Data

Although the e-QIP system will automatically validate your data after every screen save, you may also manually validate your screen. To do so, go to the navigation pull-down menu (top right hand side of the screen) and select "Validate, Review and Certify" button. Then select "Go" (located to the right of the pull down men). The system will take you to the Validate, Review and Certify screen. The validation results may show any Errors and/or Warnings that need to be corrected. Read the validation results and associated errors. To correct your answers, use the navigation pull-down menu to go to the section that needs to be edited. Make the necessary changes and click the "Save" button.
Listing Expected Attachments

Create a list of the attachments that you expect to forward to your sponsoring agency. At minimum your agency will expect a signed and dated Certification form, General Release form and if applicable a Medical Release form. Your signature should be legible. Ask you agency representative if you are unsure of all of the attachments that are expected. To use the Expected Attachments menu, go to the navigation pull-down menu. The system will take you to the "Expected Attachments" page. (You will be shown this automatically if you complete your form in sequence but if you respond to the questions out of sequence you will need to select this command manually). There are three ways to submit your attachments to your requesting agency. a. You may scan and directly upload your signed Release Forms in addition to any other documents requested by your investigating agency. Scanning is the most preferred way to submit attachments. All attachments must be in the one of the following formats - TIFF, PDF or PNG. In addition, the maximum file size should be 5MB. Recommended scanning specifications should include a resolution of 300 dpi and bi-tonal. No Color Scanning. Contact your requesting agency for further directions. b. You may also Fax your attachments and forward to your e-QIP. Once you select Fax Attachment, e-QIP will generate a Fax Cover sheet with a bar code. The bar code will associate all of your faxed documents to your e-QIP. Complete the sheet identifying the documents that you intend to fax. Print the cover sheet and identify the number of attachments (excluding the Cover page). Follow the instructions for uploading attachments before transmitting to requesting agency. c. Other. You can mail, or hand deliver your attachments to your sponsoring organization. Contact your sponsoring organization for the appropriate address.
Certifying Your Data

When you have completed all of the questions on the form and are ready to submit, select the Validate, Review and Certify command from the Navigation menu at the top of the screen and click "Go" . If the message displayed is "Validation Found No Errors or Unsatisfied Warnings", click the "Continue" button to proceed. The next screen will request a final review of your data with another CONTINUE button to proceed. The following screen will have a "Certify Investigation Request" button. After certification, YOU CAN NO LONGER MAKE CHANGES TO THE FORM . Your answers will be locked and unavailable for editing. The Final Release of your request is in three steps on the "Release Investigation Request" screen. 1. Select "Display the Archival Copy of this Investigation Request for Printing" . This will generate a .PDF copy of your form data to print and/or save for your records. 2. Select "Display the Signature Form(s) for Printing" to generate the release forms and certification page. Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat in order to view these PDF files. This free software download is available at: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

You are required to print the release form(s) which include the Certification statement, General Release form and if applicable, a Medical release form. If you do not have a printer, you should consult your sponsoring agency representative and ask for assistance. After printing, please sign the forms. Your signature should be legible and preferably in black ink. Return the signed release forms to your agency. 3. The final step is to click the "Release Request/Transmit to Agency" button. After you have successfully certified your form and released it to your agency, you cannot change your data or log back in the system until there is a need for you to access the e-QIP system i.e., a future reinvestigation. When this event occurs and you logon again to e-QIP, most of your data will re-populate in the new request eliminating the need to re-enter all of your data again. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Contact the Security representative who requested that you use the e-QIP system.