• Increase safety and security

• Better understand and control access to protect research and equipment

• Enable easier collaboration with other national labs

• Align with DOE Order 473.1A: Physical Protection Program

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) was issued in 2004 to “enhance security, increase Government efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy by establishing a mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the Federal Government to its employees and contractors (including contractor employees).” This directive mandated federal standards for reliable and secure identification at government facilities. Because HSPD-12 led to the creation of standards for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) badges, you may hear the term “PIV Badge” used interchangeably with “HSPD-12 Badge.”

As part of an effort to start or improve badging practices at all of the national labs, the Department of Energy (DOE) has given us direct funding to pay for the new Badging Office in 105 TASF, its personnel, and software and hardware.

The total budget allocated to implement badges is just over $1.9 million. This includes the renovation of 105 TASF to become our new badging office; the hiring of 2 positions to help manage the program; all required hardware and software; and lanyards, clips, and badge holders. Everything is direct funded by the Department of Energy except for mandatory background checks for each PIV Badge, which are paid from Ames Lab overhead.

The new Badging Office is on the first floor of the Technical and Administrative Services Building (TASF) in room 105. It is to the right of the stairwell near the main entrance. This used to be the location of Education and Outreach, who are now on the third floor of TASF.

You can find the following people in the Badging Office:

• Amy Helgerson, Security and Emergency Services Director

  • Oversees the guards and the Badging Office team

• Kendra Lee, Assistant Director of Security and Emergency Services

  • Assisting with program development and providing back-up to Paul and Bob for the badging process

• Paul Lauer, Security Services Coordinator

  • Responsible for the development and implementation of the badging program.

• Bob Lutter, Security Services Specialist

  • Superuser of all things related to the BadgePass system

  • More than likely the first person you’ll see when you get a badge

The Badging Project is a priority for Ames Lab's executive leadership, so they've assembled a team to make it happen. The Badging Office (part of our Security and Emergency Services team) is leading this project in collaboration with project management and change management (from Performance Management), Communications, and IT. We are also consulting with Ames Lab HR; ISU IT, HR, and Legal; and multiple other national labs. 

What will change for the guards:

• In the past, the guards printed badges for new employees. In the future, the Badging Office will handle this task.

• Since all visitors will be routed to the Badging Office (on the first floor of TASF) instead of the Plant Protection Section office (on the ground floor), guards may interact less with visitors. They will still be admitting visitors after hours and if the Badging Office is unoccupied.

• Instead of answering questions about badges or badge malfunctions, guards will direct these questions to the Badging Office staff.

What won’t change for the guards:

• Due to their physical presence, guards will still interact with employees and help answer questions.

• Guards may still need to escort visitors to specific locations (such as the Badging Office).