FOIA March Madness 2018 - Agency Talking Points (November 8, 2016 - March 13, 2018) (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — DARPA)

Dear Beryl Lipton,
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OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center

Dear Beryl Lipton,
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OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center

Dear Beryl Lipton,
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OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center

Dear Beryl Lipton,
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requests@muckrock.com
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OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center

Dear Beryl Lipton,
Case Number 18-F-0658 has been assigned to the request you submitted. In all future correspondence regarding this request please reference case number 18-F-0658.
Regards,
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Good morning Ms. Lipton,

We have received the attached FOIA request and assigned it case number 18-F-0658. However, as currently constructed your request is not reasonably described for further processing.

You request all records from the Office of Public Affairs related to the handling of media statements. You specifically look for documents with certain keywords in the subject line. Unfortunately, all of the key words (Talking points, STMT, Statement, and Press Strategy) are used so frequently in the day-to-day basis of Public Affairs work that an organized search is not feasible.

I would like to suggest two options to narrow your request.

1. Request formal guidance such as directives and signed memos that advise or direct press handling for DoD.

2. Tie your keywords to a specific action. For example "All guidance on how to handle the press relating to event X, with "Talking points, STMT, Statement, and Press Strategy" in the subject line.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,
Brandon J. Gaylord
Senior Advisor
OSD/JS FOIA
(571) 372-0413

Let us know how we are doing: https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=125562&s=110

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Good morning Beryl,

Limiting the information to DARPA may help. Are you still looking at this from the Public Affairs perspective or do you want DAPRA's documents related to press handling?
Thanks,
Brandon

An interim response, stating the request is being processed.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Hi Beryl,

I forwarded your request for an estimated date of completion to your action officer, Megan Farrell. You should be hearing from her soon.
Thanks,
Brandon

Good morning Ms. Lipton,

I reached out to the component office for a status update/estimated completion date, but I have not heard back yet. I will let you know as soon as I do. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information at this time.

Thank you,
Megan

Good morning,

I just reached out to the component office that is currently working on your request for an update. I'll let you know as soon as I hear back. Should you have any questions or need any additional information in the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you,
Megan

Megan Farrell
OSD/JS FOIA Analyst
(571) 372- 0409

Good afternoon,

I no longer work with the OSD FOIA office, however, I have forwarded your email to my former Team Lead. He will be able to assist you further.

Thank you,
Megan

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Good morning Beryl,

I reached out to the component for an estimated date of completion and will relay their response as soon as they provide it to me.
Thanks,
Brandon

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

Good morning Beryl,

Our estimated date of completion is January 31, 2019. Please note this is a very rough date and could change in either direction.
Thanks,
Brandon

Good Afternoon Beryl,

I am the new Action Officer assigned to facilitate the processing of your request. Thank you for letting us know about your continued interest. Your request is still in the processing queue and has been tasked to an OSD component for search.

It is our policy that each request receives prompt attention, and every effort is made to treat all requesters equally. Unfortunately, the search for the requested records has not been completed. Currently, our administrative workload is approx. 2,890 open requests. Please understand our problem with the volume of requests. I have also requested an updated estimated completion date from the component conducting the search and once I hear from the component, I will update you with that date.

Also, re-scoping or further narrowing your request may potentially facilitate a faster response. For example, identifying specific records (i.e.: official directives or signed memos), the nature or content of the record, or a shorter time-frame or specific dates, may help to narrow the scope of your request. If you want to discuss re-scoping or further narrowing, please feel free to give me a call.

Again, I apologize for the anticipated delay in responding to your request

Feel free to reach out any time you would like a status update on your request. My contact information is below.

Thank you,

Toni Wilkerson
Government Information Specialist
Freedom of Information Division
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
Office: (571) 372-0429
NIPR: antoninette.r.wilkerson.civ@mail.mil

Good Morning Beryl,

I am waiting to hear back from the components regarding a new estimated date of completion. Once I hear back I will follow-up with you regarding that as well as clarification or re-scoping your request.

Thanks for your patience.

Toni

Wilkerson, Antoninette R CIV WHS ESD (USA) would like to recall the message, "[Non-DoD Source] RE: Freedom of Information Act Request #18-F-0658".

Good Morning Beryl,

Sorry for the delays with processing your request. Your request is still in the processing queue and has been tasked to an OSD component for search. I am still working on getting a new estimated date of completion for you. In the interim, please give me a call if you are interested in re-scoping or further narrowing your request, which may potentially facilitate a faster response.

Thank you again for your patience.

Toni

Wilkerson, Antoninette R CIV WHS ESD (USA) would like to recall the message, "[Non-DoD Source] RE: Freedom of Information Act Request #18-F-0658".

Wilkerson, Antoninette R CIV WHS ESD (USA) would like to recall the message, "[Non-DoD Source] RE: Freedom of Information Act Request #18-F-0658".

Wilkerson, Antoninette R CIV WHS ESD (USA) would like to recall the message, "[Non-DoD Source] RE: Freedom of Information Act Request #18-F-0658".

Good Morning Beryl,

We were advised that the request as written is overly broad and would require searching through many records, most of which are not likely to be related to media guidance. Courts have stated that a request is reasonably described if the agency is able to determine "precisely" what records are being requested. The "reasonably described" requirement exists because the FOIA was not intended to reduce government agencies to full-time investigators on behalf of requesters. As such, it is the requester's responsibility to frame requests with sufficient particularity to ensure that searches are not unreasonably burdensome, and to enable the searching agency to determine precisely what records are being sought.

We ask that you work with us as we need your cooperation to give us more specifics. Please help us to narrow your request by shedding more light on the records you want. For example, we believe a more efficient search would be accomplished if you limit your request to policies related to a specific event or guidance distributed on a specific type of document.

Please respond by close of business Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Toni Wilkerson
Government Information Specialist
Freedom of Information Division
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
Office: (571) 372-0429
NIPR: antoninette.r.wilkerson.civ@mail.mil

Good Morning Beryl,

I am writing to follow-up with you again regarding the scope of your request. We ask that you work with us as we need your cooperation to give us more specifics. Please help us to narrow your request by shedding more light on the records you want. For example, we believe a more efficient search would be accomplished if you limit your request to policies related to a specific event or guidance distributed on a specific type of document.

Please feel free to give me a call if you prefer to discuss via telephone. My number is 571-372-0429.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Thank you,

Toni

Good Morning Beryl,

Please see the attached letter in response to your FOIA request 18-F-0658.

Please respond by July 16, 2019.

Thank you,

Toni Wilkerson
Government Information Specialist
Freedom of Information Division
OSD/JS FOIA Requester Service Center
Office: (571) 372-0429
NIPR: antoninette.r.wilkerson.civ@mail.mil

The request has been rejected by the agency.