0

SCION Applicant Portal 

User Guide

Version II

Published June 6, 2022.
1

Contents

1. Overview.............................................................................................................................. 3

2. Create a SCION Account..................................................................................................... 3

2.1 SCION Account Structure ................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Create a SCION Account...................................................................................................... 4

3. Log Into the Applicant Portal............................................................................................ 4

3.1 Log Into the SCION Applicant Portal .................................................................................. 4

4. Navigate the Applicant Portal – National Account Users ............................................. 5

4.1 Dashboard (Home Page)..................................................................................................... 5

4.1.1 Manage Your Local Accounts ....................................................................................... 6

4.1.2 Pay Your Bill via Pay.Gov .............................................................................................. 6

4.2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 6

4.3 Account Information............................................................................................................ 7

5. Navigate the Applicant Portal – Local User..................................................................... 8

5.1 Dashboard (Home Page)..................................................................................................... 8

5.1.1 Missing Information...................................................................................................... 9

5.1.2 Create a Service Request............................................................................................ 10

5.1.3 Incomplete Service Requests ..................................................................................... 10

5.1.4 Pay.gov Instructions.................................................................................................... 11

5.1.5 In-Progress Services.................................................................................................... 11

5.1.6 Completed Services .................................................................................................... 12

5.1.7 Itemized Service Charge ............................................................................................. 13

5.2 Account Information.......................................................................................................... 13

5.2.1 My Account.................................................................................................................. 13

5.2.2 User Information......................................................................................................... 14

5.2.3 My Locations................................................................................................................ 14

5.2.4 My Contacts ................................................................................................................. 14

6. Create a New Service Request ........................................................................................ 15

6.1 Create an Audit Service Request ...................................................................................... 15

6.1.1 Upload Supporting Documents ................................................................................. 18
2 

6.1.2 Managing Service Results and Billing........................................................................ 19

6.1.3 Review and Submit Audit Request............................................................................. 20

6.2 Processed Commodity Lot and In-Plant Inspections...................................................... 20

6.2.1 Create Service Request............................................................................................... 20

6.2.2 Basic Lot or In-Plant Inspection Service Request ..................................................... 21

6.2.3 Location and Scheduling ............................................................................................ 21

6.2.4 Service Results and Billing.......................................................................................... 26

6.2.5 Billing Contacts............................................................................................................ 27

6.2.6 Submit Your Service Request..................................................................................... 27

6.3 Specific-Purpose Processed Commodity Lot Inspections ............................................. 27

6.3.1 Location & Scheduling ................................................................................................ 28

6.3.2 Additional Details Screen ........................................................................................... 29

7. View My Service Request ................................................................................................. 32

7.1 View Individual Inspection and Audit Service Requests ................................................. 32

7.1.1 View Request Details .................................................................................................. 32

7.1.2 Request Details ........................................................................................................... 34

7.1.3 Outputs (View Certificates)......................................................................................... 35

7.1.3 Service Fees (Breakdown of Charges) ....................................................................... 35

8. Pay for Service................................................................................................................... 37

9. Glossary of Key Terms...................................................................................................... 38
3 

1. Overview

Welcome to the SCION Applicant Portal User Guide! 

SCION is the Specialty Crops Integrated Operating Network, a web-based platform that 

modernizes the way USDA provides specialty crops inspection and audit services. The 

USDA Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division and our cooperative Federal-State 

inspectors and auditors will use SCION to schedule our work, carry out inspections/audits,

issue certificates, reports, and billing statements to our applicants. You – our customer – 

will use SCION to go online and set up and manage your account, submit inspection, and 

audit service requests, and get your inspection results, certificates, audit reports, and 

billing statements.

The SCION Applicant Portal is our customers’ door to SCION. On the Applicant Portal 

website, you can quickly and easily set up and manage your account with SCI, request 

services, upload supporting documents, review billing charges, and download certificates 

and other documents. The Portal is open to all applicants at all SCI locations.

2. Create a SCION Account

The first time you enter the SCION Applicant Portal, you will see either your company’s 

account or a “SCION Bucket Account 1” on your Dashboard header depending on whether 

your user contact information was previously assigned to an account. If you see the “SCION 

Bucket Account 1” header when you log in, please ask your local office to assign you to the 

correct account. SCI may need to get approval from the “Point of Contact” that is already 

listed in SCION to ensure account access is authorized.

Customers should decide which type of account suites their business: a National or Local 

account: 

• National Account is for customers who either:

• Request inspection services from multiple SCI Area Offices across the country, have 

a single point of contact for all their service or billing activities, and want a single, 

aggregated bill (or a bill from each office) for all inspection/audit services provided 

to their subsidiary units, or

• Have multiple applicant subsidiary units and users that need to see/access/manage 

the subsidiary units in SCION. 

• Local Account is for customers who:
4 

• Request inspection services in a single SCI Area Office or multiple offices (if using 

the same FMMI account number), and want to receive service results and billing 

locally. 

To change your account type in SCION, please contact your local office. 

The account creation process only takes place the first time you use SCION. 

2.1 SCION Account Structure 

National account will contain one or more Local 

accounts. In the Account Hierarchy (Figure X), “SCI Test 

Company” users can view and manage the local 

applicant accounts listed. 

SCI may use a three-digit number in parentheses at the 

beginning of a local account name to identify the USDA 

office that services the account. See Appendix A for a list 

of SCI 3-Digit Office Identifiers. 

2.2 Create a SCION Account

You must have USDA Level 2 eAuthentication. 

eAuthentication is the system used by USDA to allow individual customers and employees 

to obtain accounts that give them access to USDA web applications like SCION via the 

internet. A single eAuth account saves time and reduces the number of passwords you’ll 

need to access SCION as well as other USDA resources and programs. A brief presentation 

that gives step-by-step instructions for getting eAuthenticated, and a more detailed USDA

eAuthentication User Guide are posted on the SCION webpage at 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/scion. 

3. Log Into the Applicant Portal

With your log-in and account information created (Ref. Sec. 2.1), you can now access and 

use the SCION Applicant Portal. Be sure to add SCION to your favorites on your web 

browser! 

3.1 Log Into the SCION Applicant Portal 

1. Navigate to the SCION Applicant Portal through eAuthentication on your web browser. 

2. Enter the email address associated with your SCION Account (Ref. Fig. 3.0).
5 

3. Click Login with password and enter your password. 

Once you are logged in, you’ll see your SCION Applicant Portal Dashboard. 

4. Navigate the Applicant Portal – National Account Users

4.1 Dashboard (Home Page) 

The Dashboard for a National Account user is your SCION home page. From the 

Dashboard, you can view the account and user information for your local accounts, 

navigate to Pay.gov to pay your bills, access an Executive Summary of your national 

account data such as the total number of submitted or completed service requests for your 

account, and manage your account information. 

Figure 3.0: Log-In to the Applicant Portal

Figure 4.0: Dashboard
6 

4.1.1 Manage Your Local Accounts

On the Dashboard, you can: 

• Submit a new service request: see Section 5.1.2 of this guide.

• View In-Progress Services: This screen shows the five most recently created service 

requests that have not yet been completed for the selected local account. See Section 

5.1.5 for information about Incomplete Service Requests.

• View Completed Services: This screen shows the five most recently created and 

completed service requests for the specific local account. See Section 5.1.6 for details.

• View Itemized Service Charges: The screen shows the five most recently created

billing statements for the specific facility. See Section 5.1.7 for details.

4.1.2 Pay Your Bill via Pay.Gov

SCION does not handle billing, it simply navigates you to Pay.gov site, where the bill 

payment process remains the same. 

Click Pay.gov Instructions – Make Your Payment to go to a screen that includes: 

• A link to the Specialty Crops Collections Pay.gov site.

• Instructions for completing paying your bill. 

• Instructions for printing your payment confirmation. 

4.2 Executive Summary 

The Executive Summary provides information such as your national account’s pending and 

completed service requests. 

Figure 4.1: Pay.gov Instructions
7

To go to your Executive Summary 

1. Click Executive Summary button on the Dashboard, or

2. Click Account in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and then click the Executive 

Summary tab.

There you will see the following information for each of your local accounts (Ref. Fig. 4.2):

• Total number of submitted service requests per location for a given time period.

• Total number of completed service requests per location for a given time period.

• Total billing amount per location for a given time period.

4.3 Account Information

Click Account on the top right-hand corner of the Dashboard to see information about your 

local and national accounts, account users, and local facility locations. Reference Fig 4.2.

Figure 4.2: Executive Summary
8 

On the Account page, you’ll see: 

1. My Account is the default tab, showing your account and user information, including 

your shipping/billing addresses, primary SCI servicing office, and billing account status. 

2. Click User Information to see basic user information for all your corporate account 

users.

a. Click Add Colleague to add individuals/users to your SCION applicant account 

b. Fill in the user details and click Save.

c. The added user will receive an email prompting them to register in SCION. Please 

remember that all SCION users must have USDA e-authentication (Ref. Sec. 2.1).

d. Review the list in the table (in the User Information tab) to locate a colleague/user: 

i. Select specific page number on the table to, or 

ii. Use the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate through the pages to 

locate the user.

3. Click Executive Summary to view the listed summary of facilities or local accounts under 

the national account with submitted service requests, completed service requests, and 

billing total. See Section 4.2. This is same tab/screen you will come to when you click the 

Executive Summary button on the Dashboard/Home page.

5. Navigate the Applicant Portal – Local User

5.1 Dashboard (Home Page)

The Dashboard for a Local user is your SCION home page. From the Dashboard, you can 

create and manage your service request, view billing statements, manage your account 

information, and navigate to Pay.gov to pay your bills (Ref. Fig. 5.0).

Figure 4.3: Account Information
9

5.1.1 Missing Information

If you have not yet uploaded or provided any required documents for a service request, the 

following box will show up in the first section of the Dashboard (Ref. Fig 5.1). You must 

upload the required documents for your service request to proceed.

Figure 5.0: Dashboard
10

1. Click the displayed service request. 

2. At the Service Request Details page, click Add in the Related Documents section to 

upload your document(s).

5.1.2 Create a Service Request

1. Click +New Service Request 

2. On the Service Request page, create and submit a service request by completing the 

necessary details. (Ref. Sec. 6, Create a Service Request, for details). 

a. While creating a new service request, you can click Save & Exit to save your request 

as a draft and come back to it later.

5.1.3 Incomplete Service Requests

Incomplete Service Requests are the service requests, in Draft status, you started in SCION 

but did not complete or submit. 

These are not the same as the requests in the Missing Information Reminder box on your 

Dashboard, which are requests that you submitted that requires additional documents 

from you (Ref. Fig. 5.2).

Figure 5.1: Missing Information or Documentation on Dashboard

Figure 5.2: Incomplete Service Requests shown on the Dashboard
11

1. Click Incomplete Service Requests on the Dashboard to see your incomplete service 

requests, with the most recent requests at the top. You can sort the records in the table 

using the ↑ and ↓ arrows on each of the column headers.

2. To navigate to a specific request or look for additional service requests: 

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table. 

b. Click on the dropdown field that displays all the pages. 

c. Click a page number to navigate to that page, and 

d. Click the service request you are trying to access. 

or

e. Click the < and > icons to navigate to a page and locate the service request.

3. Click the link for the service request in the Service # column to go to the Request Details 

screen.

4. Click Complete Service Request at the bottom of the screen to finalize the service request. 

5.1.4 Pay.gov Instructions

See Section 4.1.2 for details

5.1.5 In-Progress Services

This table shows your five most recent service requests that are in-progress with SCI, which

means the service requests are yet to completed by SCI and the appointment for the 

inspection/audit might be in the future (Ref. Fig. 5.3).

1. Click View All at the bottom of the table to go to a page that displays all of your 

outstanding service requests. 

2. Sort the records in the table by using the ↑ and ↓ arrows on each of the column headers 

and filter service requests by using the start and end date fields on the top left.

3. To navigate to a specific service request or look for additional service requests: 

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table and click the dropdown field that displays all the 

pages. 

b. Click a page number to go to a specific page and select the service request.

Or, 
12

c. Click the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate to a page and locate 

the service request.

5.1.6 Completed Services

This table shows the five most recently completed service requests for the local account.

The requests shown here are the ones completed by SCI and the certificates or the

inspection documents will be made available to the applicant through the Applicant Portal.

1. Click View All at the bottom of the table to see all the completed service requests for 

your Local Account (Ref. Fig. 5.3). 

2. Sort the records in the table using the ↑ and ↓ arrows on each of the column headers, 

and filter service requests using the start and end date fields on the top left.

3. To navigate to a specific request or look for additional service requests:

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table.

b. Click the dropdown field that displays all the pages. 

c. Click a page number to navigate to a specific page.

d. Select the service request. 

Or, 

e. Use the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate to a specific page to 

locate the service request.

Figure 5.3: Local Account User Dashboard
13

5.1.7 Itemized Service Charge

This table shows the five most recently created itemized service charges for completed 

services (Ref. Fig. 5.3).

1. Click View All at the bottom of the table to go to a page that shows all itemized service 

charges for completed service requests for your Local User account. 

2. Filter itemized service charges using the start and end date fields on the top left.

3. To navigate to a specific itemized service charge or look for additional service charges:

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table and click on the dropdown field that displays all the 

pages. 

b. Click on a page number that will navigate you to that page and the appropriate 

service request.

c. Click either the Service # or the Details link pertaining to the service request. 

Or, 

d. Use the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate to a specific page and 

locate the statement for service charges.

5.2 Account Information

From the Dashboard, click Account on the top right-hand corner to go to a page where you 

can view and manage the following information: My Account, User Information, My 

Locations, and My Contacts (Ref. Fig. 5.4).

5.2.1 My Account

This is the default view on this page. The My Account Information section shows an 

overview of your Local Account, including addresses, your primary SCI servicing office, and 

your billing account status. The My User Information section shows basic information 

about your user profile. 

Figure 5.4: Account Information
14

5.2.2 User Information

Click on this tab to display a list of your Local account users and their basic information.

1. Click Add Colleague to invite your colleagues to be added to your SCION account

a. Fill out the user details and click Save.

b. Your colleague will receive an email notification prompting them to register. Once 

they have successfully registered, they will appear as a user in the User Information 

table. 

2. To locate a specific user:

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table and click the dropdown field that displays all the 

pages.

b. Click a page number to navigate to that page and view the user.

or

c. Use the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate to a specific page and 

locate the user.

5.2.3 My Locations

Click on this tab to display a list of facility accounts and some other basic information that 

are associated with your Local Account. 

1. Sort the records in the table using the ↑ and ↓ arrows on each of the column headers.

2. Click Add location. 

a. Complete the information field about the location.

3. Click Edit to make edits to information about a listed location. 

4. Click Delete to delete an existing location.

5. To locate a specific location:

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table.

b. Click the dropdown field that displays all the pages. 

c. Click a page number to navigate to that page and view the location.

Or, 

d. Use the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate to a specific page and 

locate the desired location.

5.2.4 My Contacts

Click on this tab to display a list of contacts associated with your Facility account, e.g., 

shippers, buyer/receivers, results recipients, and billing contacts. These contacts do not 

have access to SCION. 

1. Sort the records in the table using the ↑ and ↓ arrows on each of the column headers.
15

2. Click Add Contact to open a window that asks you for some basic information about the 

contact.

3. Click Edit to amend contact information. 

4. Click Delete to delete the contact.

5. To locate a specific contact: 

a. Scroll to the bottom of the table

b. Click the dropdown field that displays all the pages. 

c. Click a page number to navigate to a specific page and view a contact.

Or, 

Use the < and > icons at the bottom of the page to navigate to a specific page and locate a 

contact.

6. Create a New Service Request

In the SCION Applicant Portal, you can create new service requests for Audits and 

Processed Commodity Lot Inspections. 

6.1 Create an Audit Service Request

1. Log into the SCION Applicant Portal (See Section 3.1). 

2. Click +New Service Request on the Dashboard (Home page) (Ref. Fig. 6.0). 

Figure 6.0: New Service Request button
16

• While creating a new service request, you can click Save & Exit to save your 

request as a draft and come back to it later.

• Click Cancel Service Request if you want to cancel a service request.

3. On the Purpose of Service Request screen:

a. Enter the Name of Request. This can be any name you would like and is how you can 

locate or identify the specific request. 

b. Choose “Audit” as the Type of Request by clicking on the adjacent radio button.

c. Select “Fresh” or “Processed” in the Select type of commodity covered by the service 

request field.

d. Click Next to move to the Audit Selection screen.

4. Select an option from the drop-down “What type of audit is needed?”

a. If you select “Fresh” as the type of commodity, the options on the drop down will be:

• USDA GAP

• USDA Harmonized GAP 

• GMP/PC 

• USDA Mushroom GAP

• Food Defense

• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HAACP)

• USDA Harmonized GAP Plus 

• Plant Survey

• I Don’t Know 

b. If you select “Processed” as the type of commodity, the options on the drop down 

will be:

Figure 6.1: New Service Request Page
17

• GMP/PC 

• Domestic Origin Verification (DOV)*

• Food Defense*

• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HAACP)*

• Plant Survey*

• I Don’t Know 

* If you select DOV, Food Defense, HAACP, or Plant Survey for either fresh or processed

commodities, you will have the option to select other surveys to add to your request. 

5. Click Next and navigate to Auditee Information screen and fill out the required fields

(Ref. Fig. 6.2).

a. Enter Number of Employees.

b. Enter any Special Language Needs as needed.

c. Select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for ‘Permission to interview staff? 

d. Add your location and auditee information:

i. Type the location name on the Search an Existing Location bar.

ii. Select the existing location from the dropdown list. This will open an Auditee 

Information & Contact window.

iii. Select an existing contact or click Add New Contact to add a new contact.

iv. Click Save Location and Contact.

or

v. Click Add New Location to enter auditee and facility name, street address, facility 

type, and facility size.

vi. Click Save Location and Contact.

e. Click Add New Site to provide additional audit sites in the table that appears, if 

needed. 

i. Enter information on the Additional Audit Sites window.
18

ii. Click Save Audit Site.

iii. Verify the information you entered appears in the table in the Additional Audit 

Sites section.

f. Click Add Commodity to provide required information on commodities to be audited. 

You will go to a window called Commodities Covered by Audit. 

i. Enter the name of the commodity in Enter Commodity to Add field.

ii. Complete Length of Season or Processing Period field, as applicable.

iii. Click Save. 

g. Select a timeframe for your audit in the Requested Date Range section.

i. Select an Earliest and Latest Start Date (Date and Time).

ii. Enter any relevant notes or requests in the Additional Scheduling Details box.

iii. Click Next to go to the Supporting Documentation screen. 

6.1.1 Upload Supporting Documents

Use this screen to upload required documents for your audit request. (If you are not 

uploading documents, click Next on the Continue Without Uploading window.)

1. Click Upload Files under the SC-651 section to upload a completed SC-651, Agreement 

for Participation in Audit Verification Programs. 

Figure 6.2: Auditee Information Page
19

2. Click Upload Files under the Other Supporting Documents (Optional) section to upload 

other supporting documents. 

3. Click Next to go to the Service Results and Billing screen.

6.1.2 Managing Service Results and Billing

Here is where you manage the distribution of your audit service results and billing 

information.

6.1.2.1 Audit Service Results

1. Select Yes or No on the Will audit reports need to be uploaded to the “Azzule database” 

field. Azzule is commercial database to which customers can elect to upload results of 

a USDA GAP audit for a fee. 

2. Complete the Results Recipients section:

a. Enter the name or other identifying information in the Select an Existing Contact box 

to search for a contact.

b. Select the contact from the list that appears to open the Add Service Results Contact

window. 

c. Click Role of Contact Person and Distribution Method, which are mandatory fields.

d. Fill out or confirm the required fields. 

e. Click Save and you will see recipients’ details. 

f. Click Add New Contact to add a new result recipient. 

g. Enter required information on the Add Service Results Contact screen.

h. Click Save & Exit any time during the service request creation process to save your 

service request and all data entered until that point a draft that will be accessible to 

you via your Dashboard. 

6.1.2.2 Audit Billing

1. Fill out the required information in the Estimated Billing Information section:

a. Enter the name or other identifying information into the Select an Existing Contact

box to search for a contact. 

b. Select a contact from the list that appears and to open the Add Billing Contact

window. 

c. Complete the mandatory fields Distribution Method, Email, Phone, Confirm or 

complete the required fields. 

d. Click Save to see the recipients’ details. 

e. Click Add New Contact to add a new billing contact. 

f. if you would like to speak to an SCI representative about billing, click ‘I would like to 

speak to an SCI staff member to discuss estimated fees for the request service.’ SCI will 

get in touch using the SCION contact information you provided. 
20

6.1.3 Review and Submit Audit Request

Please review the Purpose, Auditee Information, Service Results & Billing Attachments, and 

Prerequisite Fulfillments information to ensure it is accurate, and review SCI’s Terms & 

Conditions at the bottom of the page before submitting your audit request. 

1. Click Submit to send your audit service request to SCI. 

2. Review the confirmation message you receive and note the associated Service Request 

(SR) number (e.g., SR-XXXXX). 

3. Click Finish to go to the Request Details page for a summary of the service request

information you submitted. 

6.2 Processed Commodity Lot and In-Plant Inspections 

To create a new service request for processed commodity or in-plant lot inspections: 

1. Log into the SCION Applicant Portal. 

2. Click New Service Request on your Dashboard.

Note that you can click Save & Exit at any time when creating a new service request. Your 

service request and all data entered to that point will be saved as a draft and be accessible 

to you via the Applicant Portal under Incomplete Service Requests. 

6.2.1 Create Service Request

1. Complete Name of Request. This can be any name you choose and is how you can locate 

or identify the specific request.

2. Select the Type of Request, e.g., Lot Inspection, In-Plant Inspection. 

3. Select an option from the dropdown menu, e.g., Lot Inspection, Operational Rations, 

Raisins, Continuous, Seasonal, Intermittent, and Designated Lot. 

4. Select “Not Applicable” for basic Lot Inspection Service.

5. If applicable, indicate whether this inspection request is related to any of the following 

options: 

• Section 8e Import

• Marketing Order

• Export

• Inspection for USDA Purchase(s)

• Inspection for State Order(s)

• Operational Rations

• Tomato Suspension Agreement

• Not Applicable
21

Choosing any of these options prompts the system to ask for additional information 

about the purpose of the service. If you select any of these options, please jump to 

Section 6.3. 

6.2.2 Basic Lot or In-Plant Inspection Service Request

1. Click Processed for the Select type of commodity covered by the service request. 

2. Click Next to navigate to the Commodity Information screen (Ref. Fig. 6.3). 

3. Enter the commodity in the Type or Select Option field to see a list of commodities.

4. Click the commodity you want inspected.

5. Click Add Commodity to add the commodity you selected to the service request. 

6. Click Next to navigate to Location & Scheduling Screen. 

6.2.3 Location and Scheduling

1. Type the location name in the Select an Existing Location field and then select the 

existing location from the dropdown that appears (Ref. Fig 6.4).

2. Select an existing Contact or add a new contact by clicking on the Add New Contact 

button in the Add Location and Contact screen that opens up. 

3. Click Save Location and Contact

or, 

4. Click Add New Location to enter new facility/location name, street address, and facility 

size (Ref. Fig. 6.5).

5. Click Save Location. 

6. Select from an existing contact from the Select an Existing Contact field or click Add New 

Contact to add one. 

7. Click Save Location and Contact to see the information you added. (Ref. Fig. 6.6).

Figure 6.3: Commodity Information
22

Figure 6.4: Location & Scheduling

Figure 6.5: Adding Location and Contact/ Location & Scheduling
23

8. Select dates for Requested Start and Requested End fields (Ref. Fig. 6.7).

9. Add comments or additional information in the Additional Scheduling Details area, as 

needed.

10. Click Next to enter Product Details & Lot Information.

11. Indicate whether the lot was inspected previously.

a. If you select Yes, provide requested information related to the lot’s previous 

inspection, e.g., Code Marks, Certificate Number, Previously Graded at location, and 

Additional Details as needed.

b. If you select No, no other information is required.

12. Click Next.

13. Click Add a Lot button and provide requested information. The fields No. and Type of 

Container in Case and Lot Size and Description are mandatory (Ref. Fig 6.8).

14. Click Save and you’ll see your service request details. 

Figure 6.5: Location & Scheduling

Figure 6.6: Site Location and Contact Information Section

Figure 6.7: Requested Date Range
24

15. Click Upload Files to upload any relevant documents (e.g. pictures or files) 

16. Click Next to add Supporting Documentation. 

17. Click Upload Files to upload any documents required as part of your service request (Fig. 

6.9).

18. Click Next after uploading all relevant documentation.

19. If you do not upload documents, you’ll see a Continue Without Uploading window

warning. 

Figure 6.8: Add Lot Screen
25

20. Click Cancel to return to the Supporting Documentation screen or click Next to continue 

with your service request and go to Service Results and Billing screen.

Figure 6.9: Supporting Documents.
26

6.2.4 Service Results and Billing

1. Select the document(s) you want to receive from SCI under Select the document types to 

be received ( Ref. Fig. 6.10).

• Certificate

• Memo/Letter report

• Score Sheet

• Other

If you select Other, enter a description of the document you want on the new Describe 

the Required Service Results Document field that will appear on the screen.

2. Select an existing contact or an add new contact in the Results Recipient section to 

designate inspection results recipient(s) (Ref. Fig 6.10).

3. Type the contact name in the Search an Existing Contact bar and click on a contact that 

appears in the dropdown. 

a. Click on the contact to open an Add Service Results Contact window.

b. Select the mandatory fields, including Role of Contact Person and Distribution Method, 

and verify First Name, Last Name, and Phone number.

Figure 6.10: Service Results and Billings.
27

4. If the contact does not appear or it is a new contact, click Add New Contact and enter

requested information. 

5. Click Save. 

6.2.5 Billing Contacts

1. In Estimated Billing Information section, designate who will receive the summary of 

service fees upon completion of the service request (Ref. Fig 6.10).

a. For an existing contact, type the contact name in the Search an Existing Contact bar 

i. Click on the contact to open the Add Billing Contact window. 

ii. Click Save.

b. Click Add New Contact to enter a new billing information recipient. 

ii. Complete the mandatory fields, including Distribution Method, and add First 

Name, Last Name, Phone number, and other requested details. 

iii. Click Save. 

c. Click I would like to speak to an SCI staff member to discuss estimated fees for the 

requested services if you would like to an SCI staff member to get in touch with you 

via your SCION contact information.

Once your inspection results and billing information recipients contacts have been 

added, you will see a list of your contacts, including Contact Name, Distribution, Shipping 

Label, and Actions. 

6.2.6 Submit Your Service Request

From your Contacts table, click Next to go to the Review & Submit screen. 

1. Click Submit after reviewing the information you entered for the service request and SCI 

Terms and Conditions.

2. You will receive a confirmation message indicating the request was submitted and an 

SCI staff member will get in touch with you to schedule the requested service or if 

additional information is needed. 

3. Click Finish to go back to your Dashboard. 

6.3 Specific-Purpose Processed Commodity Lot Inspections 

This section covers instructions for creating a service request for processed lot inspections 

that are for a specific purpose, e.g., Section 8e Import, Marketing Order, Export, Inspection 

for USDA Purchase(s), Inspection for State Order(s), Operational Rations, and Tomato 

Suspension Agreement.
28

Note: the process flow and steps for this section are almost identical to the information 

covered in Section 6.2, only few additional screens are completed to capture required

information pertaining to the service requests. 

You can click Save & Exit at any time when creating a new service request. If you click Save & 

Exit, your service request and all data entered to that point will be saved as a draft and be 

accessible to you via the Applicant Portal under Incomplete Service Requests. 

1. Log into the SCION Applicant Portal (See Section 3 for details). 

2. Click New Service Request (Ref. Fig. 6.0) on your Dashboard.

3. Enter Name of Request. This can be any name that you would like; you will use it to 

locate or identify the specific request. 

4. Click Lot Inspection as the Type of Request (Ref. Fig. 6.1).

5. Select the specific purpose of your inspection in the dropdown menu. 

6. Click Processed for the Select type of commodity covered by the service request. 

7. Click Next to go to the Commodity Information screen.

8. Enter the commodity name in the Type or Select Option field. 

9. Click Add Commodity to add the commodity you selected to the service request (Ref. Fig. 

6.3). 

10. Click Next to go to the Location & Scheduling screen.

6.3.1 Location & Scheduling

1. For an existing location, type the service location in the Search an Existing Location bar.

a. Click the existing location in the dropdown (Ref. Fig 6.4).

2. In the Add Location & Contact window that opens: 

a. Select an existing contact, OR

b. Click Add New Contact button to add a new contact.

c. Click Save Location and Contact.

3. To add a new location:

a. Click Add New Location and enter the new facility/location name, including 

street address type and facility size, in the Add Location and Contact window 

(Ref. Fig. 6.5).

b. Click Save Location.

c. Select an existing contact from the Select an Existing Contact field, or click Add 

New Contact to add one. 

d. Click Save Location and Contact.

When you complete the Site Location and Contact Person section, you will see your location 

and contact information displayed on the Location & Scheduling screen (Ref. Fig. 6.6).
29

4. Select dates for the Requested Start and Requested End fields to 

request a time range for the inspector to be onsite.

5. Add any comments or additional information in the Additional 

Scheduling Details box, if needed.

6. Click Next to go to Additional Details screen.

6.3.2 Additional Details Screen

1. Complete all mandatory (denoted with an *) and required fields

(Ref. Fig. 6.11):

 Customs Entry Number (CEN)

 Importer of Record 

 Country of Origin

 Date of Arrival

 Port of Export

 Port of Entry

 Name of Vessel

 Voyage Number

 Bill of Lading Number

 Broker’s Reference Number

2. Click Next to go to Product Details & Lot Information.

a. Indicate whether the lot was inspected previously.

i. If you select No, no other information is required.

ii. If you select Yes, provide requested information about the lot’s previous 

inspection in the fields provided, e.g., Code Marks, Certificate Number, Previously 

Graded at location, and Additional Details, as needed.

1. Click Add a Lot button to enter information on at least one lot in the Add Lot window that 

opens. The fields No. and Type of Container in Case and Lot Size and Description are 

mandatory (Ref. Fig 6.8).

2. Click Save and you will see your service request. 

3. Click Upload Files and select the documents you need to upload into SCION. 

4. Click Next to go to the Supporting Documentation screen.

a. Upload all required documents, e.g., Entry Documentation with CEN, Manifest Bill of 

Lading, or Other Supporting Documents.

5. Click Next after uploading your documents.

6. Once your documents are uploaded, you will see the Service Results and Billing screen 

(Ref. Fig. 6.12).

Figure 6.11: Additional Details Screen.
30

If you do not upload any documents, a window will appear with a warning message 

indicating that “any missing documents may delay the completion of the service request.”

7. Select the service results document(s) you want to receive from SCI, i.e., certificate, 

memo/letter report, score sheet, or other. 

a. If you select “Other,” enter a description of the document you want in the Describe 

the Required Service Results Document box.

8. In the Results Recipient section (Ref. Fig. 6.12), designate who should receive the 

inspection results.

a. For an existing contact, type the contact name in the Search an Existing Contact bar.

i. Select the existing contact that appears in the dropdown suggestions.

ii. Complete the mandatory fields (Role of Contact Person, Distribution Method) and 

verify First Name, Last Name, and Phone number of the contact in the Add Service 

Results Contact window that opens.

iii. Click Save.

b. To add a new contact, click Add New Contact to enter new mandatory fields such as 

the Role of Contact Person, Distribution Method, as well as verify First Name, Last 

Name, and Phone number, or any other pertinent details.

Figure 6.12: Service Results and Billings
31

c. Click Save. 

9. Designate who should receive the summary of service fees for completed service in the 

Estimated Billing Information section to designate (Ref. Fig. 6.12).

a. For an existing contact, type the contact name in the Search an Existing Contact bar

and select the existing contact that appears in the dropdown.

i. Click the contact to open Add Billing Contact window.

ii. Complete the mandatory fields, including Distribution Method, and verify First 

Name, Last Name, Phone number, and Email. 

iii. Click Save.

b. To add a new contact, click Add New Contact and complete mandatory fields such as 

the Distribution Method, and verify First Name, Last Name, Phone number, and any 

other pertinent details. 

i. Click Save. 

When the inspections results and the estimated billing information recipients contacts have 

been added, a table will appear on the screen with details such as the Contact Name, 

Distribution, Shipping Label, and Actions. 

10. Click I would like to speak to an SCI staff member to discuss estimated fees for the requested 

services if you want an SCI staff member to get in touch via your SCION contact 

information.

11. Click Next to navigate to Review & Submit screen.

12. Click Submit after reviewing all the information you entered for the service request and 

SCI Terms and Conditions.

13. Review the confirmation message you receive that indicates your service request was 

submitted, and that an SCI staff member will contact you to schedule the requested 

service or in response to your request for contact. 

14. Click Finish to return to your Dashboard. 
32

7. View My Service Request

Your Dashboard shows three tables with information about service requests: In-Progress 

Services, Completed Services, and Itemized Service Charges (Ref. Fig. 7.0). The tables show the 

five most recent services for each respective category.

7.1 View Individual Inspection and Audit Service Requests

7.1.1 View Request Details

Here is how to view details about In-Progress Services, Completed Services, and Itemized 

Service Charges for any service request:

1. In any table, click the service request in the Service# column (indicated as SR-XXXXX) (Ref. 

Fig. 7.0).

Figure 7.0: Dashboard Tiles
33

 OR,

2. If the service request was not one of the most recent five, click View All in the 

corresponding table to see all service requests, including details such as Applicant ID, 

Date, Type of service, and Commodity.

a. To find a specific request, select a Date Range to view service requests in a given 

timeframe, or click the > symbol to navigate to see more requests. 

3. Click the desired service request on the Service# column (indicated as SR-XXXXX) (Ref. Fig. 

7.1).

4. Click the Request Details, Outputs, and Service Fees tab to see specific information about 

the service request (Ref. Fig. 7.2).

Figure 7.1: Service Request Details Table
34

7.1.2 Request Details

1. Click on the Request Details tab (Ref.Fig.7.3) to review details such as Goal, Inspection 

Information, Output Verification, Billing, and Related Documents. 

a. Click Edit or Add Edit to amend information on this page.

Figure 7.2: Request Details, Outputs, and Service Fees.

Figure 7.3: Request Details Screen.
35

7.1.3 Outputs (View Certificates) 

The Outputs tab displays all available output documents for the service request, such as a 

scoresheet or certificate (Ref. Fig. 7.4). Here is how to get your output documents.

1. Click View under VIEW OUTPUTS to see details such as Commodity, Service Date, and View 

Outputs. 

2. Click Download under OUTPUTS to view or download a certificate or related output 

document, such as a scoresheet. 

7.1.3 Service Fees (Breakdown of Charges)

To view the service fees or a breakdown of charges: 

1. Access the specific service request (See Section Sec 7.1.1).

Figure 7.4: Request Details Screen.
36

2. Click Service Fees to see a breakdown of charges and details (Ref. Fig. 7.5).

OR

3. Click the specific service request in the Itemized Service Charge table on your 

Dashboard to see details of service fees.

Figure 7.5: Service Fees.
37

8. Pay for Service

You can pay for completed services through Pay.gov, a secure Federal web-based 

application accepts payment by electronic check, credit card, or debit from your checking 

or savings account. Go to Pay.gov’s Specialty Crops Collections page to make your 

payment. 

The link for Pay.gov is on your Dashboard (Ref. Fig. 8.0) and on your service request details

page. 

 

Figure 8.0: Pay.Gov Link
38

9. Glossary of Key Terms

SCION: SCION stands for Specialty Crops Integrated Operating Network. It is the name of 

the new software that connects Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division and its customers 

(You) to manage inspection as well as audit service requests, certificates, audit reports, and

service charges (Ref. Sec. 1).

Applicant Portal: Applicant Portal is the website or the application where you (the 

customer) can request services, upload supporting documents, review billing charges, and 

download certificates or other documents in one place. The Applicant’s account details are 

stored in the platform and can be easily managed and updated (Ref. Sec. 1).

Dashboard: Dashboard is the Home page in the Applicant Portal to perform a number of 

actions very conveniently such as view your account (user) information, check the status of 

service requests, review service requests, access service results/billing information, or

access Pay.gov link to make payments. (Ref. Sec. 4).

Executive Summary: Summarized list or table of Local Accounts (under a National 

Account) and their service requests’ statuses. (Refer Sec. 4). This screen is only available in 

National Accounts.

eAuthentication: The website or government to portal that helps to create log-in 

accounts as well as log-in to various government websites including the Applicant Portal 

(Refer Sec. 2).

National Account: An account for the customers who request inspection services in 

multiple SCI Area offices across the country, have a single point of contact for inspection or

billing purposes, and desire a single bill for all inspection services (Ref. Sec. 4).

Local Account: An account for the customers who request inspection services in a single 

SCI Area Office. This account type is also suitable for customers who may request 

inspection services in multiple SCI Area Offices, but do not have a single point of contact for 

inspection requests and billing purposes (Ref. Sec. 5). 

Azzule: Azzule is a commercial database to which customers can elect to upload the 

results of their USDA GAP audit for a fee (Ref. Sec. 6.1.2.1).

Output: It is the reference to the tab within the service request details that consists of 

documents such as certificates, score sheets, audit reports etc. that can be accessed or 

downloaded (Ref. Sec. 7.1.3) 

Pay.Gov: It is a secure Federal web-based application accepts payment by electronic 

check, credit card, or debit from your checking or savings account (Ref. Sec. 8).
39

APPENDIX A – SCI 3-Digit Office Identifiers

DC HQ 000 

Area Offices

Boston, MA 004

Bronx, NY 011

New Jersey 037

Philadelphia, PA 012

Hunt Valley, MD 051

Winter Haven, FL 038

College Park, GA 002

Oshkosh, WI 218

South Bend, IN 063

San Antonio, TX 061

Yakima, WA 230

Stockton, CA 119

Fresno, CA 073

Los Angeles, CA 034

Sub-Offices

Richmond, VA 217

Miami Lakes, FL 056

San Juan, PR 098

Chicago, IL 006

Dallas, TX 027

Houston, TX 025

Salem, OR 244 

Inspection Points 

Hartford, CT 054

Portland, ME 077

Brooklyn, NY 072

Rochester, NY 215

Jessup, MD 001

Memphis, TN 017

Mankato, MN 219

St. Louis. MO 016

Cincinnati, OH 007

Hart, MI 210

Detroit, MI 010

Cleveland, OH 008

Pittsburgh, PA 013 

Fort Worth, TX 223

Kansas City, MO 015

Little Rock, AR 062

Indio, CA 238

San Francisco, CA 035

Prunedale, CA 236

Burley, ID 243

Seattle, WA 046

Portland, OR 033