A Comprehensive Overview of FOCI Mitigation

In Episode 15 of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey and members of Holland & Knight's International Trade Group discuss the complexities of Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) and its implications for security clearances in government contracting. They explain how foreign entities can influence cleared companies, impacting classified contracts, and detail the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's (DCSA) role in overseeing FOCI assessments through the SF-328 form. Mitigation strategies such as proxy agreements and outside directors are highlighted to ensure compliance and safeguard national security. The episode also revisits Section 847 from the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which mandates FOCI assessments for non-classified U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contracts valued at $5 million or more and represents a significant expansion of FOCI regulations. This discussion reinforces the need for companies to effectively navigate these complexities while utilizing supplemental documents like Affiliated Operations Plans and Technology Control Plans to maintain compliance.