Bekkering USAID PREDICT
| Tracking # |
F-00154-20 |
| Submitted | March 26, 2020 |
| Est. Completion | June 12, 2020 |
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Communications
From: Jimmy Tobias
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any written or electronic communication, including emails, email attachments, memos, guidances and white papers, sent or received by Assistant Administrator Michelle Bekkering (and/or her executive assistants) that relate to the Emerging Pandemic Threats program, also known as the PREDICT or Predict program, a global disease surveillance program funded by USAID that was shuttered in 2019. This request seeks records produced since August 1, 2017. This request specifically seeks records related to the decision to shutdown, end, and/or stop funding the Predict program, the closure of which was covered in a 2019 New York Times article. I include that article for your reference here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/health/predict-usaid-viruses.html
I am a reporter with The Guardian and other outlets.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Tobias
From: United States Agency for International Development
April 08, 2020 RE: USAID FOIA No. F-00154-20 (Acknowledgment Letter) Dear Mr. Tobias: Thank you for your letter dated March 26, 2020, requesting information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. The tracking number for your request is F-00154-20. Please use this number when corresponding with our office. At this time, we are in the process of perfecting your request. A perfected request for records reasonably describes such records and is made in accordance with published rules stating the time, place, fees (if any) and procedures to be followed. This process includes reviewing the request for clarity and fee category determination and related commitment to pay, if applicable. Once your request is perfected, you will be notified of the FOIA Specialist assigned to process your case. If you have questions, please contact us at . Please cite the above-referenced number when corresponding with our office. (mailto:foia@usaid.gov) foia@usaid.gov Thank you. Sincerely, Regine Cooper
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division
From: United States Agency for International Development
April 08, 2020 RE: USAID FOIA No. F-00154-20 (FOIA Specialist Assignment Email) Dear Mr. Tobias: This acknowledges receipt of your March 26, 2020, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Specifically, you requested any written or electronic communication, including emails, email attachments, memos, guidances and white papers, sent or received by Assistant Administrator Michelle Bekkering (and/or her executive assistants) that relate to the Emerging Pandemic Threats program, also known as the PREDICT or Predict program, a global disease surveillance program funded by USAID that was shuttered in 2019. This request specifically seeks records related to the decision to shutdown, end, and/or stop funding the Predict program, the closure of which was covered in a 2019 New York Times article for your reference here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/ 10/25/health/predict-usaid-viruses.html(Date Range for Record Search: From 8/1/2017 To 3/26/2020). FOIA Specialist
Your request has been assigned to Theresa Morris, Senior FOIA Specialist. You may contact Theresa Morris by email at thmorris@usaid.gov or by phone on 202-921-5003. Please reference the tracking number cited above in any future correspondence.
Extending the FOIA’s Time Limits due to Unusual Circumstances The FOIA provides that an agency may extend its time limits when “unusual circumstances” occur in the processing of a request. See 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B)(i) (2016). Those “unusual circumstances” are set forth in the statute, 5 U.S.C § 552(a)(6)(B)(iii), and are described as: 1) The need to search for records from field facilities or other locations separate from the office processing the request; 2) The need to search, collect and examine voluminous records; and 3) The need for consultation with another agency. Based upon the records you have requested, we have determined that one or more unusual circumstances will occur during the processing of your request. Accordingly, your response time-limit has been extended beyond the 20 days required by statute; therefore, 10 additional processing days have been added to your request. To mitigate this action, you may limit the scope of the request so that it can be processed more quickly or to arrange an alternative time to respond. If you have any questions or wish to discuss reformulation or an alternative time frame for the processing of your request, you may contact the assigned FOIA Specialist noted above. You may also contact USAID’s FOIA Public Liaison, Christopher Colbow, at foia@usaid.gov.
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 offered: Office of Government Information Services National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001 E-mail: ogis@nara.gov Telephone: 202-741-5770; Toll Free: 1-877-684-6448 Fax: 202-741-5769 Thank you for your interest in USAID. Sincerely, Pamela A-Campbell
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 26, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00154-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
May 28, 2020
Re: USAID FOIA Numbers:
F-00153-20,* F-00154-20*, F-00156-20
F-00158-20, F-00159-20, F-00164-20
Dear Mr. Tobias:
The FOIA cases referenced above are being coordinated with Agency staff and
USAID FOIA Office will provide you with an additional update on or before
June 12, 2020.
Thank you.
--
Sincerely,
*Theresa A. Morris*
Senior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex, Room 2.4.2C
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
Direct: (202) 921-5003 - thmorris@usaid.gov
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 26, 2020. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on June 12, 2020. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #F-00154-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Jimmy Tobias
Hello,
I am writing to get an update on this FOIA request. Please let me know where things stand with it if you get a chance. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Tobias
From: United States Agency for International Development
June 29, 2020
Subject: USAID FOIA No. F-00154-20
Dear Mr. Tobias,
USAID has implemented maximum telework to promote social distancing during
the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities in many of our operating units have
shifted, thus impacting processing response times.
The search for responsive documents, if any, has yielded a voluminous
amount of records, that must be reviewed for responsiveness pursuant to
FOIA Title 5 U.S.C. § 552.
USAID will grant any releasable documents as promptly as possible.
Thank you for your patience.
--
Sincerely,
*Theresa A. Morris*
Senior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex, Room 2.4.2C
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
Direct: (202) 921-5003 - thmorris@usaid.gov
From: Jimmy Tobias
Hello USAID FOIA Office,
To follow up once more, if possible I would like a specific update on the estimated completion date of this request.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Tobias
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 26, 2020. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on June 12, 2020. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #F-00154-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
TRANSMITTED VIA EMAIL
Mr. Jimmy Tobias
MuckRock News
Dept MR 91086
411A Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: FOIA Request No. F-00154-20
Final Response
Dear Mr. Tobias:
This is the final response to your March 26, 2020 FOIA request to
USAID. Thank you for your interest in USAID.
*Lezlie Colbert*
Senior FOIA Specialist / Technical Writer
U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex / Washington, DC 20024
Direct: 202 916 4665 / Email: lcolbert@usaid.gov
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