Is there much point applying for contracts requiring clearance if you don't have it?

[Contreras]

...at least four of which will have been people not passing things up the chain...

Not sure what you mean by "up the chain". The forms would have been submitted to DS two weeks after I had started on site. The certificate arrived 5 weeks later.

BPSS is only a glorified ID check, so you won't have been near anything classified anyway. Either that or someone's SSO needs a refresher course.

Well yes, in theory. I won't elaborate on the reality any more than I already have though.

[eek]

If that's true then -->

Mine took 5 weeks. (7 if you include HR delays before even submitting the thing)

Yes you can work while it's being processed. I had unaccompanied site access, working late and last out of the office some days, with unrestricted access to all code repositories (not just the project I was working on).

Bpss is simple. You get the name of the person processing it, give them every possible option and hassle them twice a day by just asking if there is anything you can do to help.

Usually by lunchtime on day 2 its either done or you are top of the pile

[stek]

Here's a question (vested interest). What if your SC is 'in progress' with current clientco A and gig is due to end (don't ask why SC was process was started, management whim) and clientco B wants you with a role needing SC, can they 'take over' the SC application?

Clientco B is willing to take on while waiting for SC process to finish, but would it need a new application from clientco B (who is also List X)?

[malvolio]

Here's a question (vested interest). What if your SC is 'in progress' with current clientco A and gig is due to end (don't ask why SC was process was started, management whim) and clientco B wants you with a role needing SC, can they 'take over' the SC application?

Clientco B is willing to take on while waiting for SC process to finish, but would it need a new application from clientco B (who is also List X)?

If both are using the same vetting agency and/or Cerberus, then probably yes. However, every vet is basically a risk assessment process against their local requirement, so it's by no means certain that one set of pass criteria will work for another role.