# ONCD Withholds Frontier AI Vetting Framework

The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) withheld all 60 pages responsive to a FOIA request, including the seven-page federal framework for reviewing frontier AI models, in a response delivered by the October 30, 2026 deadline established in litigation. The framework’s criteria and Gold Eagle participation terms remain undisclosed. The executive order describes model access as voluntary and excludes mandatory licensing or preclearance, so the framework is a potential demand signal for contractor capabilities rather than a stated compliance mandate.

- Contractors offering AI security testing, cyber-capability evaluation, or vulnerability coordination may find these capabilities relevant to future federal review efforts.
- Because the framework and participation terms remain unavailable, companies should avoid assuming specific evaluation criteria or mandatory requirements from this signal.
- The voluntary access approach indicates that contractors can assess whether their existing AI testing and security capabilities align with potential government needs without treating model access as a licensing or preclearance requirement.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
**Published:** November 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD)
- White House
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

### Sources
- [White House: AI Vetting Framework Still a Secret](https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/white-house-ai-vetting-framework-still-secret-a-33283) - BankInfoSecurity