April 20, 2016 -- Sentries at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany will begin confiscating base-issued contractor-vendor identification badges on May 1 due to a new access control system called RAPIDGate. RAPIDGate is an enterprise-level security system using handheld scanners designed to maintain safety and security while providing greater throughput efficiency at access control points.
As part of the RAPIDGate Program, installation access control personnel at MCLB Albany have been testing the scanners since Feb. 8, 2016, to ensure proper functionality and procedures. The handheld scanners scan, read and verify a wide assortment of government and state issued identification cards, to include Department of Defense common access cards, DoD retired & military dependent cards, U.S. and Canadian driver’s licenses and identification cards. Military and civilian personnel with credentialed access to the installation will not be impacted.
After May 1, vendors, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers and service providers have only two options to access the installation: they can either register for RAPIDGate, or be sponsored to obtain a temporary pass up to four days from the Pass and ID Office in Building 3010. Base officials are encouraging any contractors or service providers regularly doing business with the base to enroll in the RAPIDGate program. Those not registering for RAPIDGate can anticipate long wait times and frequent visits to the Pass and ID Office to obtain temporary passes.
“The scanning of credentials allows our installation security personnel to quickly and accurately verify various credentials, installation access times, credential expiration, while having the capability of preventing access to individuals who have been debarred from the installations,” Sean Lamonzs, deputy chief of police, Marine Corps Police Department, MCLB Albany, said. “Visitors must still stop at the Pass and ID center to obtain access to the installations.”
The RAPIDGate Program supports the Department of Defense’s security requirements while offering a streamlined access procedure for vendors, suppliers, contractors, sub-contractors and service providers. A RAPIDGate card allows long-term credentialing with annual online recertification, unescorted access and multiple access times. This voluntary program requires installation approval for new and existing personnel who require routine access to the installation, yet are not authorized to receive a common access card.
An assisted registration kiosk for the new program is currently located at the Pass & ID Office, Building 3010, located adjacent to the main gate Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., and an unassisted kiosk is located at Marine Corps Logistics Command’s Production Plant Albany, Building 2200, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Individuals will receive a background check and be notified via e-mail when their RAPIDGate badge is ready for pickup, if approved.
Companies and service providers may initiate enrollment by calling 1-877-RAPIDGate (1-877-727-4342) or e-mail questions regarding access control changes to info@rapidgate.com.
Further enrollment information is available at
www.rapidgate.com/enroll.