Data and Interviews from GovTrip report
| Tracking # |
OIG-2013-00096 |
| Submitted | Sept. 17, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Zack Sampson
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Transcripts of interviews conducted with Department of Interior travel employees in the creation of the report "GovTrip Use and Monitoring by The U.S. Department of the Interior." I am also requesting any and all databases containing voucher testing data and charge card data that were used by the Office of the Inspector General in the creation of this report.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,
Zack Sampson
From: FOIA, OIG
Mr. Sampson
Here is the acknowledgement letter and appeal rights to your FOIA request
with our office.
Thank you
From: Zack Sampson
Hello,
This is in response to your questions about my fee waiver request.
1) The information I asked for would be informative in several ways. It would provide a look at a government agency’s daily operations by showing how that agency handles travel and expense reports. Surely any document or database that can educate the public about the day-to-day operations of its government is “meaningfully informative.”
2) Furthermore, on this point, MuckRock is an open government service with a website that disseminates information to thousands of readers and users. There is a news branch to MuckRock, and all documents are posted in full for readers to see. I have no commercial interest in GovTrip data and am merely seeking responsive documents for their informational purposes. The documents will be published online for a large audience, not kept private for any individual interest.
3) See above.
4) As stated in my original request, the OIG published a report in September on “GovTrip Use and Monitoring by The U.S. Department of the Interior.” Releasing the data and interviews that went into the completion of this report would undoubtedly serve to support the OIG’s assertions and enhance the public’s understanding of the work. These documents would expand upon and clarify information that has already been published.
5) See Question 2.
I believe it is clear that the release of these documents will increase the public’s understanding of an OIG report and the workings of a government agency, and MuckRock has the capacity to share this valuable insight with thousands of people in the matter of minutes.
Thank you,
Zack Sampson
From: FOIA, OIG
Thank you Mr. Sampson. After upon my review of your explanation, the OIG is
granting your fee waiver.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 17, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #OIG-2013-00096.
Thank you for your help.
From: FOIA, OIG
Mr. Sampson
We just received the responsive documents and its well over 300 pages. We
are going to begin our review this week, but it will take a while. If I
dont get back to you in a couple weeks, feel free to contact me to check on
the status at that time. Let me know if you have any other questions.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 17, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #OIG-2013-00096.
Thank you for your help.
From: FOIA, OIG
Mr. Sampson
We are still in the process of reviewing the documents. Please be aware
that our FOIA system works on a first in first out basis and there are
several requests that have come in before yours. But please be assured that
we are working on the review process. Once it is reviewed there is a review
done by one of our attorneys. If you dont hear from us in a couple weeks,
please contact us so we can try and get a better estimate for you. Please
let us know if you have any further questions.
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 17, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #OIG-2013-00096.
Thank you for your help.
From: FOIA, OIG
Mr. Sampson
Once we received the workpapers and attachments, when we put the files
together they actually totaled up close to 89,000 pages. Therefore we have
to review to see what documents are actually responsive to your request. It
is going to take some time to review those documents. I am going to talk to
our FOIA officer to see what the next steps are. What we may do is review
the workpapers and send you the list of attachments to see what you are
interested in because I know we will not be able to reivew 89,000 pages
with the small group that we do have. Please be assured however, that we
are working on it. Once I talk to the FOIA officer I will let you know what
the next steps will be. Thank you for your patience on this matter. Please
let me know if you have any further questions.
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Sept. 17, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #OIG-2013-00096.
Thank you for your help.
From: FOIA, OIG
Hi Mr. Sampson
We have a FOIA specialist working on the first review of the workpapers.
Once he finishes his review we will do a second review on the documents.
There are approximately 570 pages in workpapers which is what we will send
to you and see what attachments you are interested in. I am hoping that we
can get something to you by the end of next week. Please let me know if you
have any further questions.
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
From: FOIA, OIG
Mr. Sampson
Here is the response letter, responsive documents and appeal rights to your
FOIA request with our office. Because the file is large, we have split the
document into several parts. You should get a total of 4 emails.
Thank you
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
From: FOIA, OIG
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
From: FOIA, OIG
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
From: FOIA, OIG
OIG FOIA OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR | OIG
Files
pages