GSA Certified Safe and Vault Technician and GSA Inspector Dave LaBarge, of LaBarge Lock and Safe Tec What is a GSA Inspector? No.
A GSA Inspector is a certified inspector for General Services Administration safes, vaults, and security containers which are used to protect classified information and materials by the United States military and government agencies. Who provides training for GSA Inspectors? Certification is attained by training at one of two training facilities located in the Nicholasville, KY area. The two facil
ites, MBA USA and Lockmaster's, provide both instructional and hands-on training on a wide variety on security containers of different vintages and different uses. The GSA Inspector training allows for the certified inspector to "re-certify" a security container that has had the "GSA Approved" label removed for various reasons to certify that the security container can again be used to store classified information and materials. A GSA security container cannot be used to store classified materials without having the "GSA Approved" label affixed to the drawer or door. How long does the GSA Inspector's training last for? A GSA Inspector's certificate lasts for three years from the date of the training, with an additional three years added after completion of the GSA Inspector's course update which is available from both facilities. An on-line GSA Inspector update is also available after the initial on-site training certificate's three year term has expired. Only a properly trained and currently certified GSA Inspector can "re-certify" a GSA security container, safe or vault if they currently within their certification period. What is involved during the inspection process? A number of different items are checked during the inspection process. Has the security container ever been drilled open? If so, has it been properly repaired to the present Federal Standard 809B? Does it have the proper GSA Approved lock currently on the GSA security container? Are there any missing parts or parts not properly working on the safe, vault or security container? Has there been any unauthorized modifications which would have caused the label to have been removed? Are there any non-factory drilled holes currently in the security container? If so, can they be repaired to meet GSA specs? Should I receive copies of the GSA Inspector's report whether it passes or fails the inspection? A written summary of the GSA Inspector's report should be left with the container's custodian whether it passes or fails the inspection. A copy is retained by the GSA inspector and a third copy is submitted to the training facility for their files. What happens if the security container passes the inspection process? A replacement label stating "General Services Administration Approved Re-certified Security Container" will be affixed to the proper location on the safe, vault or security container. The label will identify the manufacturer of the security container as well as the specified color of the former GSA label. Also the
re-certifcation Inspection Label's number and training facility information is located on the same replacement label. What happens if the security container fails the inspection process? It may be possible to bring the security container back to GSA specs through proper repairs or replacement parts. If it cannot be restored to GSA specs then a label stating "NOT AUTHORIZED for storage of CLASSIFIED information" should be placed on the security container. These labels are included in the GSA Re-certification kits. Is a GSA Re-certiifcation a maintenance inspection? A re-certification inspection is different than a maintenance inspection. A re-certification inspection determines if the GSA security container can again be used to store classified information and materials. A maintenance inspection determines if the security container is operating properly and that all parts are there and serviced periodically. Currently, Air Force Technical Order 00-20F-2 requires preventative maintenance inspections every two years for GSA Approved vault doors and every five years for GSA Approved security containers. Various government agencies and branches of the military may or may not require maintenance inspections although to prevent costly lockout situations periodic maintenance inspections can prevent such occurrences. LaBarge Lock and Safe Technicians provide both GSA
Re-Certification services and maintenance inspections concluding with written reports for each safe, vault, and security container.