NASA Procedures and Guidelines
This Document is Obsolete and Is No Longer Used. Check the NODIS Library to access the current version: http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov
NPR 1620.2A Eff. Date: October 07, 2015 Cancellation Date:	Facility Security Assessments (Revalidated on December 13, 2019)
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Chapter 3. Level V Facilities

3.1.1 While the incorporation of additional factors and criteria makes this NPR more useful to determine the FSL for special-use and other unique facilities, such as high-security laboratories, hospitals, or unique storage facilities for chemicals or munitions, some facilities may still not fit neatly into the criteria defined here. The criticality of the mission or the symbolic nature of the facility could be such that it merits a degree of protection above that specified for a FSL Level IV facility, even though the other contributing factors, such as population or square footage, might be scored lower.

3.1.2 For example, a research laboratory might receive lower score values for symbolism, square footage, and population size. However, the laboratory may be responsible for critical research and diagnostic activities that are vital to protecting the Nation's citizenry or animal and food products from disease agents accidentally or deliberately introduced into the United States. This mission, combined with the fact that it may be the only such laboratory in the country, would suggest that the criticality factor would far outweigh lower score values in symbolism, population, and/or facility size, and thus the facility should be considered for a Level V designation. As a result, the criteria and decision-making authority for identifying Level V facilities are within the purview of the individual center. As general guidance, Centers should consider a facility as potentially suitable for a Level V designation if it receives a "very high" score value for criticality or symbolism and is a one-of-a-kind facility (or nearly so).

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