Controlled Articles

Laptop

Controlled articles such as portable electronic devices, both Government and personally owned, capable of recording information or transmitting data (e.g., audio, video, radio frequency, infrared, and/or data link electronic equipment) are not permitted in Limited Areas (LAs), Protected Areas (PAs), and Material Access Areas (MAAs), without prior approval.

NOTE: Government owned computer systems which are part of the day to day operations are exempt from the requirement.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Devices with the ability to record audio or video.
  • Devices with the ability to transmit wirelessly (e.g., Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
  • Wireless headsets and keyboards.
  • Two-way radios.
  • Smart Televisions (e.g., TVs with microphones, cameras, or wireless capabilities).
  • Medical devices capable of recording information or transmitting data (e.g., audio, video, radio frequency, infrared, or data link electronic equipment).
  • Transmitters.

Note:

  • The phrase “prior authorization” typically describes Sandia-owned devices and some personally owned portable electronic devices (PEDs) that meet specific criteria.
Simple Devices that are Allowed

Some devices are simple enough that they are allowed all the way into Limited Area buildings and are not restricted like other devices:

  • Calculators
  • One-way vehicle remote-entry key fobs, and key cards that use FRID
  • Garage door openers
  • AM/FM/Satellite radios or clock radios
  • Compact disc players
  • MP3 Players without any transmitting or receiving capabilities
  • One-way (receive only) pagers

This approval does not apply to devices with additional features beyond the simple design. For example, key fobs that use Bluetooth are not considered simple devices and are treated like other mobile devices. Follow the same rules below for mobile devices.

Visitor-Owned Computer Devices & Media (e.g., CDs, thumb drives, removable hard drives)

Non-U.S. government-owned computing equipment and media are allowed only in Sandia Public Areas, Non-Public Areas, and Property Protection Areas (PPAs) unless locally posted (such as facility-specific) restrictions prohibit them.

Non-U.S. government visitor-owned computing equipment and media are prohibited in Sandia Limited Areas and more restricted areas. An exception for this can be obtained using form SA 2712-CVC, Non-U.S. Government Computing Equipment and Media Temporary One-Time Exception to SNL Policy . Visitors must engage their Sandia point of contact if this exception is required.

Government-owned Computer Devices & Media (e.g., CDs, thumb drives, removable hard drives)

U.S. government-owned media, laptops, and tablet type computers do not require any approval to be brought onto Sandia-controlled premises including a Limited Area if they are identifiable as U.S. government-owned property.

Mobile phones and other U.S. government agency owned mobile devices are not allowed into Sandia Limited Areas except for those covered under “Transport Dignitaries in the Limited Area” or “Allow Sandia Field Office Visitors and DOE Albuquerque Complex Staff to Carry Portable Electronic Devices” defined within Laboratory policy.

Use of non-Sandia Computer Media with Sandia Information Technology (IT) Resources

Sandia Members of the Workforce and visitors are authorized to bring computer media (such as CDs, floppy disks, Zip® and Jazz® disks, thumb drives, pen drives, USB drives, removable hard drives, etc.) onto Sandia-owned premises and use them with Sandia Information Technology resources under the following conditions:

  • The media was obtained through approved U.S. government or Sandia procurement channels and is identifiable as U.S. government-owned property, or
  • The media is provided by business partners as part of program or project activities and is needed to perform Sandia work. 

If you have computer media that must be used with Sandia IT resources, engage your Sandia point of contact.

Promotional items such as those handed out at trade shows or conferences or other unsolicited media received from outside entities should not be used with Sandia IT resources.

Exceptions/Registration

If you have business need to use non-U.S. Government computing equipment or media in Limited or more restricted areas, work with your Sandia point of contact to complete form SA 2712-CVC, Non-U.S. Government Computing Equipment and Media Temporary One-Time Exception to SNL Policy (see section above titled Visitor-Owned Computer Devices & Media).

Use controlled electronic devices or features inside Sandia Limited Areas for specific business purposes only when those devices or features are covered within policy or have been approved and registered using the Controlled Articles Registration Process (CARP).  Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) are exempt from registration in CARP, per the ODFSA approval for Controlled Articles. This includes but is not limited to oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, volt meters, frequency counters, etc.

Engage your Sandia point of contact if you have a controlled article that needs to be registered, and be prepared to provide them detailed information (make, model, serial number, etc.). This applies to  non-computer devices with the ability to transmit, or record data, such as:

  • Cameras
  • Devices with the ability to record audio or video
  • Devices with the ability to transmit wirelessly (i.e., Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
  • Smart Televisions (i.e., microphone, camera, or wireless capabilities)
  • Transmitters
  • Two-way radios