On June 30, 2016, President Obama signed into law the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. The changes apply to all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed on or after that date. In general, the changes are designed to make more information available to the American people and to make that information more easily accessible. The Act addresses a range of procedural issues, including requirements that agencies establish a minimum of 90 days for requesters to file an administrative appeal and that they provide dispute resolution services at various times throughout the FOIA process. It also requires new language to be included in certain responses to FOIA requests and notices to requesters extending the FOIA’s time limits due to “unusual circumstances.”
The Privacy and Records Office has developed standard language for records custodians and their designees to use when responding to FOIA requests. Effective immediately, the new language applies to any FOIA request received after June 30, 2016.
For Non-Adverse Determinations (requests granted in full):
The Postal Service™ has fully satisfied your request. If you need further assistance or would like to discuss any aspect of your request, please contact the appropriate FOIA Public Liaison:
n USPS HQ FOIA Requester Service Center — FOIA requests for Postal Service Headquarters controlled records including contracts, building leases, and other real estate transactions or employee listings:
Privacy & Records Office (Attn: FOIA RSC)
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, RM 1P830
Washington, DC 20260-1101
Phone: 202-268-2608
Fax: 202-268-5353
FOIA Public Liaison: Jane Eyre
n USPS Field FOIA Requester Service Center — FOIA requests for U.S. Postal Service® records controlled by area offices, district offices, Post Offices™, or other field operations facilities:
USPS FOIA Requester Service Center — Field
ST. Louis General Law Service Center
1720 Market Street, RM 2400
ST. Louis, MO 63155-9948
Phone: 314-345-5894
Fax: 650-578-4956
FOIA Public Liaison: Linda Crump
You may also contact this office at: [Name of agency official and/or FOIA Coordinator that processed the request] to discuss any aspect of your request.
For Adverse Determinations (including denials in full or in part; “no records” responses; denials of requests for fee waivers; and denials of requests for expedited processing):
If you are not satisfied with the response to this request, you may file an administrative appeal within 90 days of the date of this response letter by writing to:
General Counsel
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20260
You may also send an email to FOIAAppeal@usps.gov. Your appeal must be postmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of the response to your request. The letter of appeal should include, as applicable:
1. A copy of the request, of any notification of denial or other action, and of any other related correspondence;
2. The FOIA tracking number assigned to the request;
3. A statement of the action, or failure to act, from which the appeal is taken;
4. A statement identifying the specific redactions to responsive records that the requester is challenging;
5. A statement of the relief sought; and
6. A statement of the reasons why the requester believes the action or failure to act is erroneous.
For further assistance and to discuss any aspect of your request, you may contact any of the following:
n Name of agency official and/or FOIA Coordinator that processed your request (include name, title, and contact information);
n FOIA Requester Service Center (include contact information); or
n FOIA Public Liaison (include contact information).
Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer:
n Mail to the Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001;
n Email ogis@nara.gov;
n Call 202-741-5770 (toll-free: 877-684-6448); or
n Fax 202-741-5769.
For Notices Extending FOIA Time Limits Due to Unusual Circumstances (when offices encounter “unusual circumstances” and seek to extend the FOIA’s time period beyond ten additional working days. Offices must explain what the “unusual circumstances” are and provide the requester with an opportunity to narrow their request or arrange an alternative time for processing).
If you have any questions or wish to discuss reformulation or an alternative timeframe for the processing of your request, you may contact:
n Name of agency official and/or FOIA Coordinator that processed your request (include name, title, and contact information);
n FOIA Requester Service Center (include contact information); or
n FOIA Public Liaison (include contact information).
Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer:
n Mail to the Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001;
n Email ogis@nara.gov;
n Call 202-741-5770 (toll-free: 877-684-6448); or
n Fax 202-741-5769.
Questions:
For questions concerning this requirement, contact the FOIA Coordinator in your headquarters, district, or area office, or the Records Office staff at 202-268-2608. You may also contact the St. Louis FOIA Requester Service Center staff at 314-345-5894.
— Privacy and Records Office,
General Counsel, 11-24-16
