Visiting Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
Access to Sandia’s Albuquerque site is limited to those with authorized badges. If you do not have an authorized badge, be sure to make arrangements with your Sandia point of contact ahead of time so that you can pick up a visitor badge at Sandia’s Visitor Badge Office (Innovation Parkway Office Center) before entering the site.
Visitors to Sandia should also note the following:
- Sandia does not offer public tours and generally limits site visits to individuals with an explicit business purpose.
- Due to security measures in place, all visitors must undergo a screening process before gaining access to specific locations at Sandia, which can take up to a few days to process. Your Sandia host will facilitate this process, and you will need to share your Personal Identification Information (PII). Please note that Foreign National visitors will require additional processing, which can take several weeks. We request that you provide the PII as soon as possible to ensure timely access.
- For visitors to retrieve a visitor badge, visitors must present a valid picture ID (driver’s license or passport) at Sandia’s Visitor Badge Office.
- You must wear your badge at all times while on-site at Sandia. Badges should be worn above the waist (prominently displayed) on your outer clothing at all times while you are on Sandia premises. Your badge should not be worn off Sandia premises or used for personal identification.
- Visitor badges must be returned to Sandia at the end of your visit. You can give your badge to your host or bring it to a Sandia badge office.
Site Access
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Sandia Visitor Badge
With the exception of a few public areas, a DOE security badge (i.e., DOE HSPD-12 credential or Sandia-issued Local Site Specific Only badge) is required for access to all Sandia-controlled premises. Your host will initiate a visit request, and your Sandia visitor badge will be authorized upon approval of the visit.
To acquire an LSSO badge, only one ID is required, which may consist of any ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The Sandia Badge Office will not accept the following identification documents:
- Temporary
- Digital
- Photo copies
- Marked “Void”
- Marked “Not for federal purposes” or “Federal limits apply.”
Kirtland Air Force Base Entry
Entry to KAFB requires compliance with specific DoD requirements. You must present one of the following identification documents for unescorted* access:
- Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card (e.g., DOE HSPD-12 credential)
- Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) card/pass**
- DoD Common Access Card (CAC) – all versions
- DoD Military Identification Card
- DoD Guard and Reserve Dependent Identification Card
- DoD Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card
- Department of the Army Civilian Identification Card
- Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)
*If your host or other authorized party escorts you onto KAFB, no special ID is required for base access; however, you must have a valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s license) with you at all times while on base.
**A DBIDS pass is the most common option for unescorted visitors not otherwise in possession of another acceptable ID. Your Sandia host will sponsor you for access and directions to a DBIDS office to obtain the pass.
Prospective visitors who have questions about the Sandia visits process may contact the Badge Office at (505) 284-3626.
Refer to the KAFB website for current information regarding ID required for entry, and gate hours and locations.
Security Measures and Prohibited items
Because Sandia is a Department of Energy national laboratory, the following special security measures apply to everyone on-site:
- All drivers who enter Sandia and Kirtland AFB are subject to random car searches. If you are selected, a protective force officer will ask you to pull over to the curb; open the hood, trunk, and glove compartment; and step out of your car. Follow these directions, and in most cases, you will soon be on your way again.
- Personally owned laptop computers and stand-alone cameras are not allowed in most areas of Sandia. Please leave these items locked in your car.
- Personal cell phones (all types — including iPhones, BlackBerry devices, and other smartphones), MP3 players, PDAs, pagers, GPS devices, handheld video games, and electronic book reading devices are allowed only in Sandia’s unclassified areas, known as property protection areas. These devices may not be connected to any Sandia equipment and cannot be used to take pictures, record audio, or shoot videos.
- Sandia is a smoke- and tobacco-free facility. Please do not bring cigarettes or tobacco of any kind on-site.
- Other prohibited items include alcohol; explosives; dangerous weapons; controlled substances (e.g., illegal drugs and associated paraphernalia); hazardous radiological, chemical, or biological materials; and technical surveillance equipment.
If you have any questions about prohibited or controlled items at Sandia please contact your Sandia host.
Medically Necessary Devices (MedPEDs)
Medical necessary [electronic] devices, such as hearing aids or pacemakers, require special processing for access into ALL limited areas and secured spaces. It is imperative you work with your Sandia POC to coordinate a MedPED request with the appropriate approving authority. This can take up to one week to process with multiple reviews and can impact the agenda logistics.