8 FAM 703.12
Form DS-5524, Questionnaire to Determine Eligibility for a Diplomatic/Official U.S. Passport - U.S. Government Personal Services Contractors Only
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/PPT/S/A)
8 FAM 703.12-1 Summary
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. Form DS-5524, “Questionnaire to Determine Eligibility for a Diplomatic/Official U.S. Passport – U.S. Government Personal Services Contractors Only,” is used exclusively by the Special Issuance Agency (CA/PPT/SIA) in the adjudication of official and diplomatic passports for personal service contractors (PSCs). See 8 FAM 503.3 for more information on adjudicating official and diplomatic passports for PSCs.
b. PSCs must submit documentation supporting their claimed entitlement to an official or diplomatic passport with the form DS-5524 (and other documentation as outlined in 8 FAM 503.4 and 8 FAM 503.5). Passport specialists at CA/PPT/SIA will then determine if the PSC is eligible for an official or diplomatic passport.
c. Passport specialists at CA/PPT/SIA (“you”) must review the form DS-5524 for the following items:
(1) Section A, “biographical information:” This section must be completed so that the applicant is clearly identified. If this item is not completed or is unclear, you must suspend the application for a new form DS-5524.
(2) Section B, “contract information:”
(a) For Item 1, if the applicant answered “no,” the application must be denied in accordance with 8 FAM 803.5. If the applicant answered “Yes,” the applicant must submit the cover page of the contract and (if not listed on the cover page) the page(s) listing the contract expiration date and renewal periods;
(b) For items 2-6, you must verify that the information provided is correct and complete. If any items in this section are incorrect or incomplete, you must suspend the application to request a new form DS-5524;
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NOTE: Department contracting officers must be validated against the Warrants System. The Warrants System is a list of active contracting warrants maintained by the Bureau of Administration. |
(c) For item 7, you must verify against the contract that the contract start date provided on the form is the base period and correct as needed. An official or diplomatic passport should not be issued prior to the contract start date;
(d) For item 8, you must verify against the contract that the contract expiration date provided on the form is that of the base period or current renewal period, whichever is later, and correct as needed.
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NOTE: This date is used to determine the appropriate period of validity (see also 8 FAM 503.3 and 8 FAM 505.2). |
(e) For item 9, you must verify against the contract that the date is the base period or final renewal period, whichever is later, and correct as needed; and
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NOTE: This date is used to determine the appropriate period of validity (see also 8 FAM 503.3 and 8 FAM 505.2). |
(f) For item 10, if the applicant selects “no,” i.e., the contract does not have a statement regarding the right of removal by the U.S. Chief of Mission, the PSC is not entitled to an official or diplomatic passport unless the contract is amended to include such a clause. Otherwise, the application must be denied in accordance with 8 FAM 803.5.
(3) Section C, “assignment information,” only needs to be completed by PSCs who are not employed by the Department or U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). To the extent that these PSCs are in effect personnel appointments and not service contracts, the PSCs are eligible for official or diplomatic passport on an equivalent basis to similarly-situated, direct-hire Civil Service employees of the same agency. If an applicant from another agency does not complete section C, you must suspend the application to request a new form DS-5524.
(a) If the applicant selects “TDY,” you can skip to item 3. If the applicant selects “PCS,” you must review item 2;
(b) For item 2, if the applicant selects “no,” i.e., the contract does not have a statement regarding the right of removal by the U.S. Chief of Mission, the PSC is not entitled to an official or diplomatic passport unless the contract is amended to include such clause. Otherwise the application must be denied in accordance with 8 FAM 803.5; and
(c) If the PSC is equivalent to a Department or USAID PSC, either an official or diplomatic passport may be issued depending on the entitlement of the applicant and the requesting agency. If the requesting agency is requesting a diplomatic passport on behalf of the applicant, the applicant must submit a copy of the travel authorization.
(4) Section D, “signature:” If either signature is absent, you must suspend the application for a new form DS-5524. The contracting officer and authorizing official cannot be the same person.