NSA pushes swift clearances

The National Security Agency has thrown its support behind a move in Congress to shorten the time it takes for contractors to get a security clearance from an average of 207 days to 120 days.

The move would help the agency woo more small businesses, such as women- and minority-owned companies with innovative technologies, to broaden its technology base, NSA said.

The agency expects to issue four major requests for proposals during the next six to eight months.