Effectively immediately, PS Form 8170, Freedom of Information Act Request Report, is revised (see pages 6– 8). The title of the form has been changed to Freedom of Information Act Request Report. The form collects information needed to meet new reporting requirements imposed by changes in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552. Specifically, the Open Government Act of 2007, Public Law No. 110-175, 121 Stat. 252, which amended subsection (e) of the FOIA, now requires that agencies provide additional details regarding response times for both initial requests and administrative appeals, including data on the ten oldest pending requests and appeals. In addition, agencies are now required to report information regarding expedited review and fee waiver requests.
Postmasters, district managers, vice presidents, and other records custodians (see Handbook AS-353, Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information Act, and Records Management, 4-8) must complete PS Form 8170 for each request processed under FOIA. The collection and reporting of this information are required by the FOIA statute.
Any outstanding reports for requests processed during fiscal year 2008 should be completed and submitted by November 29, 2008.
Do not complete PS Form 8170 for any of the following:
Field offices submit reports to the area consumer service program analyst (CSPA) or district Consumer Affairs manager (CAM), who serves as FOIA coordinator.
Custodians located at Headquarters and in Headquarters field units submit reports to the manager, Records Office, at Headquarters (reports may be sent via facsimile to 202-268-5353 or via e-mail to FOIA – PA).
FOIA coordinators submit reports to the manager, Records Office, at Headquarters (reports may be sent via facsimile to 202-268-5353 or via e-mail to FOIA – PA). Coordinators are responsible for verifying the forms for accuracy of completion before submitting them to the Records Office.
PS Form 8170 will not be distributed. The hard copy form can be found on the Forms Management, Policies and Procedures Information page at http://blue.usps.gov/formmgmt/forms/ps8170.pdf; and the form fill version can be found at http://blue.usps.gov/formflow/xft/psform8170.xft.
If you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the FOIA coordinator in the district or area Consumer Affairs office, or the Records office staff at 202–268-2608.
— Privacy Office,
Consumer Advocate, 11-20-08
form 8170, pg. 1
form 8170, pg. 2
form 8170, pg. 3
