Department Heads travel expenses communications (Department of Agriculture)

Dear Mr. Kaplan:

This email acknowledges receipt of your March 15, 2018, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department FOIA Office (DFO). This office received your request for processing on March 16, 2018.

The DFO is under the purview of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and serves as the focal point for USDA's FOIA program. The DFO provides coordination and ensures agency-wide compliance with the FOIA. Additionally, the DFO processes requests and appeals on behalf of the Office of the Secretary and Departmental Administration's (DA) components (previously Departmental Management). For a complete listing of DA's components, please visit http://www.dm.usda.gov/agencies.htm.

The FOIA regulation 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i) requires USDA to make a determination in response to a FOIA request within 20 business days from its date of receipt. In unusual circumstances, the Federal agency time limit may be extended by 10 business days as stated in 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B). If your request seeks numerous records that will necessitate a wide-ranging search including searches with components and possible consultations with components that have a substantial interest in the determination of this request, USDA will invoke a 10 business day extension for determination of your request. You have the option to narrow the scope of your request to limit the number of potentially responsive records.

Due to the increasing number of FOIA requests received by this office, we may encounter some delay in processing your request. Pursuant to USDA FOIA regulations, Title 7 CFR §1.8(d), the USDA processes FOIA requests according to their order of receipt.
Provisions of the FOIA allow USDA to recover part of the cost of complying with your request. For purposes of fee assessment, you have been categorized as an "all other" requester, pursuant to 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1 Section (5)(d). For your review and information, a copy of the USDA FOIA Fee Schedule is attached. In accordance with 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1 Section 6(a)(4), your fees shall be waived where the amount of the fee is $25.00 or less. You will be contacted before any fees over $25.00 are accrued.

A search will be conducted for records responsive to your request. If any responsive records are located, they will be reviewed for determination of releasability. Please be assured that a FOIA analyst will respond to your request as expeditiously as possible. We appreciate your patience as we proceed with your request.

Your request has been assigned FOIA Case No. 2018-DA-02995-F. Please refer to this case number in any future correspondence. If you have any questions regarding the processing of this request, please contact Ms. Kathleen Drohan at 202-694-1802 or at kathleen.drohan@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:kathleen.drohan@ocio.usda.gov> or USDAFOIA@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:USDAFOIA@ocio.usda.gov>. For additional information regarding USDA FOIA regulations and process, please refer to the information available on-line at www.dm.usda.gov/foia<http://www.dm.usda.gov/foia>.

The DFO team appreciates the opportunity to assist you.

Thanks,

Kathleen Drohan, on behalf of the DFO team.

Kathleen Drohan
FOIA Analyst (Contractor)
United States Department of Agriculture
Department FOIA Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 4105
Washington, DC 20250
Telephone: (202) 694-1802
Email: Kathleen.Drohan@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:Kathleen.Drohan@ocio.usda.gov>

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

Hi Elijah,

We are continuing to process your request.
Thanks,

Kathleen

Hi Elijah,

I just received the search results for your request last week and will start to process them.

There are 5 USDA political appointees confirmed by Senate: Perdue, Censky, Ibach, McKinney, and Northey.

Is there a direct email or phone number I could have for you? Otherwise, if you prefer, I’ll communicate with you through the muckrock email.
Thanks,

Kathleen

HI Elijah,

I would like to speak with you regarding your request. Could you please email me or call me? I would prefer to speak with you on the phone, if that’s possible.

Thanks,

Kathleen

Kathleen Drohan
FOIA Analyst (Contractor)
United States Department of Agriculture
Departmental FOIA Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Room 4105
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington DC 20250
Telephone: (202) 694-1802
Email: Kathleen.Drohan@ocio.usda.gov

Hi Elijah,

I’m contacting you again to speak with you regarding your request. I’ve contacted you previously on 5/16 and 6/15. If I don’t hear from by July 6th, I will assume you are no longer interested and close your request.
Thanks,

Kathleen

Hi Elijah,

Just following up on whether you are still interested.
Thanks,

Kathleen

Hi Elijah,

I’ve been trying to get in touch with you since 5/16 and haven’t heard back from you. I’m assuming you are no longer interested in the request and I’ll be closing it out today.
Thanks,

Kathleen