As an independent contractor, you must submit invoices to Vanguard IS in order to receive payment. Invoices are received Wednesday through Tuesday and approved invoices are paid 10 days after the Tuesday cut-off. You will complete all of your invoicing through Vanguard IS's Electronic Expense Report including inspections.

Expense reports are accepted Wednesday-Tuesday 11:59pm EST. You will complete all of your invoicing through Vanguard Housing Inspection Services's Electronic Expense Report system following our rules and guidelines per the Inspector Invoicing Guide and the Travel Policy.

Inspectors for Vanguard IS receive a per-inspection fee for all properly completed inspections, and are reimbursed for allowable travel expenses associated with deployments or an approved training session. In order to be reimbursed, inspectors must submit an invoice and expense report through the Inspector Portal. Expenses must be in accordance with the Vanguard IS Travel Policy, and the number of claimed inspections will be verified against verified inspection data.

No, there is no direct charge for performing your “e-QIP” background investigation. There will, however, be expenses incurred to obtain your fingerprints and to acquire your FEMA Contractor badge.  You will be reimbursed by Vanguard IS for any expenses incurred according to the Vanguard IS Travel Policy "e-QIP” Background Investigation reimbursement guidelines.  If you are charged a fee for fingerprinting, a receipt is required for reimbursement.

There is no formal notification of your “e-QIP” background investigation being complete as it is ongoing and subject to periodic review by FEMA Security.  The issuing of your FEMA Contractor badge is a conditional issuance, meaning it will remain active and you will remain eligible for deployment until either your badge expires or FEMA identifies adverse background information resulting in the revocation of your badge.

There is no set time for you interview. It could be one month, six months or more after receiving your badge as it depends on the availability of the investigator assigned to do your interview.  The investigator will contact you directly to set up a time and place to meet for the interview.  You must respond promptly to avoid possible revocation of your FEMA Contractor badge.

Your FEMA Contractor badge is typically good for 5 years, however the DHS electronic chip in your badge will expire 3 years after your badge issue date. You will be contacted by Vanguard IS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) badging personnel by email before your badge chip expires providing instructions on how to have your chip reactivated to maintain your eligibility for deployment.

Upon receiving a “favorable” determination from a pre-screening of your background information, you will become eligible to receive your FEMA Contractor badge. Upon notification of approval from FEMA Security, Vanguard IS will contact you to assist you in acquiring your FEMA Contractor badge.