First FOIA (Army - United States Department of the Army)
| Tracking # |
FA-19-1033 |
| Multi Request | First FOIA |
| Submitted | May 20, 2019 |
| Due | June 21, 2019 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Emma North-Best
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
*Documents generated as part of the creation of the FOIA office (defined as whatever department, office, or coordinator is responsible for overseeing and/or processing FOIA requests), whether this was at the time of the agency's creation or the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, to include:
1. The instruction to do so from the Agency, as well as any guidance from the senior leadership
2. Documents discussing proposals and procedures
3. Any legal guidance or analysis produced or acquired by the Agency in response to or as part of the creation of the FOIA office
4. Internal documents from the press office, legislative liaison's office (or equivalent), general counsel's office (or equivalent), director's office (or equivalent) or the newly created FOIA office, reacting to or characterizing the office and it's creation
* A copy of the agency's first perfected (successful) FOIA request
* Copies of other FOIA requests filed before the FOIA request described above
* Processing notes, search slips and response documents regarding the FOIA requests described above
* The first set of guidelines, instructions and/or forms created to control the agency's processing of FOIA requests
* A copy of the agency's first successful FOIA appeal
* Copies of other FOIA appeals received by the agency before the appeal described above
* Processing notes, search slips and response documents regarding the FOIA appeals described above
* The first set of guidelines, instructions and/or forms created to control the agency's processing of FOIA appeals
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,
Emma Best
From: Army - United States Department of the Army
Hello:
Please be advised that this office serves as the policy and oversight office for the Department of the Army Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts entities, and is not a repository for documents for the Department of the Army. Requests for information and documents under the purview of the Army are sent to the agency most likely to have responsive records for a review in accordance with Army Regulation 25-55, The Army Freedom of Information Act program.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) only provides the means by which the public can request specific documents from the Army. The FOIA does not require Federal agencies to answer questions, render opinions, do legal research, compile or analyze data, conduct surveys, or provide subjective evaluations.
The FOIA program is decentralized, please contact DOD FOIA since they would be the department for what you are requesting, below is their contact information.
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
Chief, Ms. Stephanie Carr
Freedom of Information Division
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155
Toll-Free: 1-866-574-4970
Commercial: 571-372-0498
Fax: 571-372-0500
v/r
DA FOIA
From: Emma North-Best
I requested specific documents which would be under the purview of the "policy and oversight office for the Department of the Army Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts entities."
What is your issue, then?
From: Army - United States Department of the Army
Hello,
Since we fall under DOD FOIA, they set the guide lines for the FOIA program, if you just Army's that is fine this will be logged in for processing, there is no issue.
v/r
DA FOIA
From: Army - United States Department of the Army
Good afternoon Ms. Best,
I wanted to reach out to you about a FOIA request you submitted to the U.S. Army Freedom of Information Act Office on March 27, 2019. Please be advised that this office serves as the policy and oversight office for the Department of the Army Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts entities, and is not a repository for documents for the Department of the Army. Requests for information and documents under the purview of the Army are sent to the agency most likely to have responsive records for a review in accordance with Army Regulation 25-55, The Army Freedom of Information Act program.
After review of your FOIA request (attached) we have determined it is too broad as written and ask that you provide additional information so we can refer your request to the right activity that may have the records you are seeking. In your FOIA request, you state you are seeking records related to the Army FOIA Office. Be advised, the Department of the Army is decentralized; therefore, there are various FOIA offices throughout the Army that process FOIA requests for their respective activity. In order to process your request, we need to know which FOIA Office within the Army you are seeking records for.
Please respond back to this office by Wednesday, 14 August 2019. If we do not hear from you we will assume you are no longer interested in your FOIA request and your request will be administratively closed.
Thank you,
DA FOIA
From: Emma North-Best
I apologize for the lack of clarity, thank you for reaching out again. I would like these records from each FOIA office. Be aware that I am prepared to cite case law supporting the finding that this is not unreasonably burdensome, as some agencies have attempted to claim.
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