Physical Security at CMS

Building Information

The CMS Federal Headquarters Office is located at 7500 Security Boulevard, Woodlawn, MD 21244.

CMS Headquarters hours of business are Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Visitor Information

CMS Campuses are not open to the public, nor do they provide Services or Benefits to the public.  All visitors to CMS must be invited into the facility. 

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) provides the security officers that enforce and maintain security at all CMS campuses.  FPS uses contract security officers to patrol, screen, and otherwise keep all employees, contractors, and visitors safe while at the CMS complex.  FPS has jurisdiction and authority over the entire complex once you have entered the complex.  The Baltimore County Police Department may also exercise their concurrent jurisdiction on the CMS complex, with DHS generally taking first right of enforcement.

Upon arriving at the Main CMS Complex in Baltimore, visitors must use the far right lane of Security Boulevard to approach the security gate.  Visitors must submit to a vehicle screening when driving onto the campus.  The security officer will instruct the driver and any occupants of the entry process. 

The following steps are required for parking at the CMS Regional Office Complex:

1. The driver and all occupants will present official government identification to the security officer.  Examples of official Identification are:  driver’s license, age of majority ID card, official school ID, or other ID with a photograph of the individual.
2.  The driver and occupant will be advised to exit the vehicle.
3. The driver will be instructed to open the hood, trunk, and other compartments of the vehicle for security officer inspection.  Note:  The security officer is not required to open any compartment of the vehicle.
4. Once screening is complete, the driver will be instructed to Parking Lot B and the main entrance of the building.  Parking is authorized for visitors in any white line spaces in Parking Lot B.

The following steps are required for entering the main building at the CMS Regional Office Complex:

1. Upon entering the main building, security officers will direct all visitors through the screening process.  Screening is required and conducted in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Weapons Detection Training Program.  Visitors are screened for weapons and other prohibited items prior to entry.   

• Federal law prohibits the following items on Federal property: firearms, explosives, archery equipment, dangerous weapons, knifes with blades over 2½ inches, alcoholic beverages, open  containers of alcohol and marijuana (cannabis).

2. Visitors should inform security officers of any metal implants, medical devices, or other reason that they cannot be subject to magnetic scanning devices.  These visitors will be scanned with a hand wand by a security officer away from the walk-through metal detector.
3. Visitors are expected to place all hand-carried items, parcels (including purses), etc. brought into the facility on the conveyor belt of the x-ray machine.
4. Visitors are expected to walk through the metal detector unless otherwise directed by a security officer.

• Note:  If a prohibited item is found, the security officer will confiscate all dangerous weapons or may request you to return the prohibited item to your car.  Law enforcement will be contacted for all weapons that are found.

5. Upon completion of security screening, visitors are checked in by a CMS concierge.  The visitor must once again present the concierge with an official government ID (i.e. driver’s license, age of majority card, official school ID, etc.) and be on a pre-approved list into the facility.
6. Visitors will sign the visitor log, either electronically or on paper.
7. The visitor will then receive an appropriate visitor badge or sticker.
8. Visitors are then instructed to wait in a designated waiting area for their CMS sponsor to escort them around the CMS facility.

No filming or photographs are allowed while on the CMS Campus.

Occupant Emergency Organization (OEO) Information

The Division of Physical Security Operations (DPSO) is also responsible for the Occupant Emergency Organization (OEO).  The OEO personnel are responsible for coordinating and managing emergency evacuations of all CMS facilities.  They are also responsible for providing training and regular drills for fire, shelter-in-place, active shooter and all other events deemed emergencies at CMS.

The OEO staff are also responsible for maintaining the blue emergency phones located around the CMS complex parking lots.  If a visitor notices that a blue phone is not working, they should immediately report it to a Security officer who will notify the OEO staff. 

The OEO staff are responsible for the Agency's Automated External Defibrillator (AED)/Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation program.  They ensure maintenance of all AEDs deployed throughout CMS facilities and coordinate the replacement of AED devices as needed.

Points of Contact

Please direct all questions to the CMS Division of Physical Security (DPSO) by sending an email to Security@cms.hhs.gov.