Ebola mission to Liberia (Defense Threat Reduction Agency)
| Tracking # |
19-002, 20-A-004 19-002 |
| Multi Request | Ebola mission to Liberia |
| Submitted | Oct. 12, 2018 |
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Communications
From: Emmanuel Freudenthal
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1 - Any photos taken during the mission to transport Ebola blood samples from Liberia to the US towards the end of 2016. This includes photos by employees as part of their work on this official mission, or photos by third party contractors.
2 - Any contracts or agreements with Phoenix Air to supply their services for the mission to transport Ebola blood samples from Liberia to the US towards the end of 2016 (signed by any institution such as CDC, DTRA, NIH, etc). I'm sure you'll have a copy of that.
3 - Any contracts or agreements with Sandia that you have at hand from 01 July 2013 and today regarding their work in Liberia (signed by any institution such as CDC, DTRA, NIH, etc). I'm sure you'll have a copy of that.
4 - Any Chain of Custody documents signed for the shipping of any Ebola blood samples from Liberia to the USA between 01/01/16 and 31 December 17. The staff responsible for the sample management at the CDC and NIH will have a copy of that.
5 - Any documents with information linked to blood samples that were transported from Liberia to the US from 01/01/17 to 01/11/17 (e.g. the name of the patient, their origin, their gender, their clinical signs etc). I do not require individual documents as I understand that the private information of patients cannot be disclosed. Please feel free to redact that personal information from any documents that contain lists. In case there are many documents that pertain to single individuals with the sample templates, then please provide one of each of the types of documents as a template.
6 - The agreement between Liberia and the US (signed by the Ambassador of the US in Liberia) signed around September 2016 for the transport of Ebola blood samples from Liberia to the US.
7 - Any inventory of Ebola blood samples held by the US that were brought from Liberia, including samples held at Fort Detrick and Rocky Mountain Lab.
This request should be properly classified as a media request. I am a freelance investigative reporter covering covering East and Central Africa, with a particular focus on business, corruption, natural resources, land and social issues.
I have a strong likelihood of publishing news articles based on information released in response to this request. I have previously been published in Le Monde Afrique, IRIN News, Sydney Morning Herald, African Arguments and others. If you have questions about my media classification, please let me know and I'm happy to address them.
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 filed electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not, and I would like text-searchable documents.
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.
Best regards,
Emmanuel Freudenthal
From:
Dear Sir,
This notification email confirms that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) received your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on October 12, 2018 regarding the below request and has started to process your request. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Your FOIA Case number is 19-002.
Sincerely,
Jerlean ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From:
Good Morning Sir,
We are actively working your request. Attached is your acknowledgement letter.
FOIA requests are worked on a first come/first served basis. Currently, we have 118 cases. Your case number is number 36 in my case file. The estimated completion date (ECD) date is January 25 , 2019. We hope to have it completed sooner. ECDs are strictly estimates although we do our best to try and adhere to those dates. Thank you for your patience and if the date changes, we will notify you as soon as possible.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
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 Oct. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
Good Morning,
We are actively working your request. The estimated completion date is still on target for January 25 , 2019. We hope to have it completed sooner. ECDs are strictly estimates although we do our best to try and adhere to those dates. Thank you for your patience and if the date changes, we will notify you as soon as possible.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
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 Oct. 12, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
Sir,
The estimated date provided of January 25, 2019 is still on target. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
V/r,
Pamela Andrews
Senior FOIA Policy Analyst and DTRA FOIA Liaison
Office of the General Counsel
Phone: 703-767-1792
From: Emmanuel Freudenthal
Dear DTRA,
Your estimated date of completion was 25th January. We are now 2 months overdue on this request. I haven't received any updates regarding the delay.
Could you urgently send me the requested documents?
Could you also provide me with the contact of your FOIA liaison?
Thanks in advance. Best,
Emmanuel
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Good Morning,
I do apologize for not getting back to you. We are consulting with another Agency on the record. We need to adjust the estimated completion date (ECD) date to September 2, 2019. We hope to have it completed sooner. ECDs are strictly estimates although we do our best to try and adhere to those dates. Thank you for your patience.
The FOIA liaison name and contact information is Pamela Andrews, and she can be reached at dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil or 703-767-1792.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From: Beryl Lipton
To Whom It May Concern:
This is an appeal under the Freedom of Information Act.
On October 12, 2018, I submitted the attached request under the Freedom of Information Act.
By an email dated October 15, 2018, the agency acknowledged receipt of this request and assigned it Request No. 19-002. As of this writing, the request has not been given a final determination nor have I been furnished a reasonable estimated completion date.
Far more than twenty working days have elapsed without a substantive determination. I am appealing the constructive denial of my request. I ask for a determination requiring that the agency respond to my request, provide the documents, or outline reasons that they are exempt.
Thank you for your time and help with this issue.
Best,
Emmanuel Freudenthal
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Dear Mr. Freudenthal,
DTRA received an appeal from you for FOIA Case number 19-002. We are still actively working FOIA case number 19-002. We have not constructive denied your request. We are consulting with another Agency on the records. The other Agency have their own FOIA Requester Service Centers and have various FOIA requests to prioritize for processing. Please provide a telephone number or give me a call to discuss the attached appeal.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
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 Oct. 12, 2018. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Sept. 2, 2019. 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 #19-002.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Good Afternoon,
We have received the responsive back from the other Agencies of the responsive document. The case is in the final stage and should be completed and sent to you no later Friday, March 13, 2020.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Good Afternoon,
Just wanted to provide you an updated status on your case. The case is with my leadership. Your new estimated completion date is April 16, 2020. Thank you for your patience and if the date changes, we will notify you as soon as possible.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
FOIA Analyst
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Dear Mr. Freudenthal,
This is DTRA final response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request perfected on March 21, 2017, and assigned FOIA case number 19-002 by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) regarding the attached FOIA request.
Attached is a copy of the records deemed responsive to your request, totaling 117 pages. If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
FOIA Analyst
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Good Afternoon Mr. Freudenthal,
DTRA is closing your appeal to FOIA Case 19-002. Our email dated January 30 informed you that this office could not process your request further until you provided additional information. DTRA did not constructive denied your request. The request was still being worked and coordinating with other Agencies.
To date, such information has not been received by this office; therefore, your appeal has been administratively closed in accordance with 32 CFR § 286.23(b). Please note that this action is due to your noncompliance with agency requirements and does not constitute a denial of your request. Therefore, you may submit another FOIA Request for this information. A future request for this information will be processed as a new FOIA Request and must contain the information requested above.
Should you have any questions concerning this action, please contact me at (703)767-1792 or email at dtra.belvoir.J0.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From: Emmanuel Freudenthal
Dear Ms Ross,
Thanks for your email. i've received two emails from you on 26 March regarding FOIA Case number 19-002.
Those emails appear to contradict themselves so i wanted to clarify them. One of them (below) says that the FOIA request is administratively closed because I didn't provide information. The other (attached) is a final response to the FOIA request with some of the requested information (separate).
Could you clarify which one is correct?
Best,
Emmanuel
---
Good Afternoon Mr. Freudenthal,
DTRA is closing your appeal to FOIA Case 19-002. Our email dated January 30 informed you that this office could not process your request further until you provided additional information. DTRA did not constructive denied your request. The request was still being worked and coordinating with other Agencies.
To date, such information has not been received by this office; therefore, your appeal has been administratively closed in accordance with 32 CFR § 286.23(b). Please note that this action is due to your noncompliance with agency requirements and does not constitute a denial of your request. Therefore, you may submit another FOIA Request for this information. A future request for this information will be processed as a new FOIA Request and must contain the information requested above.
Should you have any questions concerning this action, please contact me at (703)767-1792 or email at dtra.belvoir.J0.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
---
The email received on on 30th January 2020:
Dear Mr. Freudenthal,
DTRA received an appeal from you for FOIA Case number 19-002. We are still actively working FOIA case number 19-002. We have not constructive denied your request. We are consulting with another Agency on the records. The other Agency have their own FOIA Requester Service Centers and have various FOIA requests to prioritize for processing. Please provide a telephone number or give me a call to discuss the attached appeal.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center at 703-767-1792 or send an e-mail to dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil.
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
From: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Good Morning,
The Appeal ( 20-A-004) you sent on December 13, 2019 for case 19-002 is cancelled. See your below appeal e-mail. The final response is for 19-002. Please let me know if you have other questions.
On Dec. 13, 2019:
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information Act Request: Ebola mission to Liberia (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) To Whom It May Concern:
This is an appeal under the Freedom of Information Act.
On October 12, 2018, I submitted the attached request under the Freedom of Information Act.
By an email dated October 15, 2018, the agency acknowledged receipt of this request and assigned it Request No. 19-002. As of this writing, the request has not been given a final determination nor have I been furnished a reasonable estimated completion date.
Far more than twenty working days have elapsed without a substantive determination. I am appealing the constructive denial of my request. I ask for a determination requiring that the agency respond to my request, provide the documents, or outline reasons that they are exempt.
Thank you for your time and help with this issue.
Best,
Emmanuel Freudenthal
---
Sincerely,
Jerlean Ross
(703) 767-1792
dtra.belvoir.J0.mbx.efoia-privacy@mail.mil
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