USPS

600.200

System Name:
Privacy Act and FOIA Appeal and Litigation Records.

System Location

Law Department, USPS Headquarters.

Categories of Individuals Covered by the System

Individuals who submit administrative appeals or bring suit against USPS under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and/or FOIA.

Categories of Records in the System

Names, Social Security Numbers, dates, case numbers, and other information related to individuals and the subject matter of the appeal and/or litigation.

Authority for Maintenance of the System

39 U.S.C. 401, 409, 410, and 412.

Purpose(s)

To process appeals, assist in litigation, and comply with reporting requirements related to the Privacy Act and FOIA.

Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses

Standard routine uses 1. through 9. apply. In addition:

  1. Records may be provided to a federal agency, when that agency may maintain records relevant to a Privacy Act or FOIA request, for that agency’s disclosure determination, or to obtain its assistance on a USPS disclosure determination.

Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, and Disposing of Records in the System

Storage

Automated database, computer storage media, and paper.

Retrievability

By case number, name of requester, or name of their attorney or agent.

Safeguards

Paper records, computers, and computer storage media are located in controlled-access areas under supervision of program personnel. Access to these areas is limited to authorized personnel, who must be identified with a badge. Access to records is limited to individuals whose official duties require such access. Contractors and licensees are subject to contract controls and unannounced on-site audits and inspections. Computers are protected by mechanical locks, card key systems, or other physical access control methods. The use of computer systems is regulated with installed security software, computer logon identifications, and operating system controls including access controls, terminal and transaction logging, and file management software.

Retention and Disposal

Records are retained 10 years. Records existing on paper are destroyed by burning, pulping, or shredding. Records existing on computer storage media are destroyed according to the applicable USPS media sanitization practice.

System Manager(s) and Address

General Counsel and Executive Vice President, United States Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260.

Notification Procedure

Individuals wanting to know if information about them is maintained in this system of records must address inquiries to the system manager, and provide the following information: the name of the individual or agent who submitted the appeal, and the year in which the appeal was made, or, if applicable, the name of the plaintiff in the civil action and the year in which the civil action was filed.

Record Access Procedures

Requests for access must be made in accordance with the Notification Procedure above and USPS Privacy Act regulations regarding access to records and verification of identity under 39 CFR 266.6.

Contesting Record Procedures

See Notification Procedure and Record Access Procedures above.

Record Source Categories

Subject individuals; their counsel or other representative; USPS officials; other agencies referring requests to USPS; and other systems of records.

Systems Exempted From Certain Provisions of the Act

Records in this system that have been compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding are exempt from individual access as permitted by 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5). The USPS has also claimed exemption from certain provisions of the Act for several of its other systems of records at 39 CFR 266.9. To the extent that copies of exempted records from those other systems are incorporated into this system, the exemptions applicable to the original primary system continue to apply to the incorporated records.