GOlden USAID PREDICT 2
| Tracking # |
F-00355-20 |
| Submitted | Aug. 10, 2020 |
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Communications
From: Jimmy Tobias
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any written or electronic communication, including emails, email attachments, memos, guidances and white papers, sent or received by Assistant Administrator Alma Crumm Golden that relate or refer in any way to the Emerging Pandemic Threats program, also known as the PREDICT or Predict program, a global disease surveillance program funded by USAID. This request seeks records produced since August 1, 2017.
I am a reporter for The Guardian and other news outlets and seek expedited processing.
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,
Jimmy Tobias
From: United States Agency for International Development
August 13, 2020 RE: USAID FOIA No. F-00355-20 (Acknowledgment Letter) Dear Mr. Tobias: Thank you for your letter dated August 10, 2020, requesting information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. The tracking number for your request is F-00355-20. Please use this number when corresponding with our office. At this time, we are in the process of perfecting your request. A perfected request for records reasonably describes such records and is made in accordance with published rules stating the time, place, fees (if any) and procedures to be followed. This process includes reviewing the request for clarity and fee category determination and related commitment to pay, if applicable. Once your request is perfected, you will be notified of the FOIA Specialist assigned to process your case. If you have questions, please contact us at . Please cite the above-referenced number when corresponding with our office. (mailto:foia@usaid.gov) foia@usaid.gov Thank you. Sincerely, Pamela A-Campbell
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division
From: United States Agency for International Development
August 14, 2020 RE: USAID FOIA No. F-00355-20 (FOIA Specialist Assignment Email) Dear Mr. Tobias: This acknowledges receipt of your August 10, 2020, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Specifically, you requested any written or electronic communication, including emails, email attachments, memos, guidances and white papers, sent or received by Assistant Administrator Alma Crumm Golden that relate or refer in any way to the Emerging Pandemic Threats program, also known as the PREDICT or Predict program, a global disease surveillance program funded by USAID. This request seeks records produced since August 1, 2017. (Date Range for Record Search: From 8/1/2017 To 8/10/2020). Fee Waiver
The FOIA provides that fees should be waived or reduced if disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. As a member of the media, the only applicable fee is duplication. Duplication is $0.10 per page, but the first 100 pages are free. After review of the fee waiver criteria, your fee waiver request is moot. Since the only applicable fee is duplication, and USAID routinely furnishes responsive records to FOIA requesters in electronic format, it's most likely there will be no duplication fees to assess.
FOIA Specialist
Your request has been assigned to Theresa Morris, Senior FOIA Specialist. You may contact Theresa Morris by email at thmorris@usaid.gov or by phone on 202-921-5003. Please reference the tracking number cited above in any future correspondence.
Extending the FOIA’s Time Limits due to Unusual Circumstances The FOIA provides that an agency may extend its time limits when “unusual circumstances” occur in the processing of a request. See 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B)(i) (2016). Those “unusual circumstances” are set forth in the statute, 5 U.S.C § 552(a)(6)(B)(iii), and are described as: 1) The need to search for records from field facilities or other locations separate from the office processing the request; 2) The need to search, collect and examine voluminous records; and 3) The need for consultation with another agency. Based upon the records you have requested, we have determined that one or more unusual circumstances will occur during the processing of your request. Accordingly, your response time-limit has been extended beyond the 20 days required by statute; therefore, 10 additional processing days have been added to your request. To mitigate this action, you may limit the scope of the request so that it can be processed more quickly or to arrange an alternative time to respond. If you have any questions or wish to discuss reformulation or an alternative time frame for the processing of your request, you may contact the assigned FOIA Specialist noted above. You may also contact USAID’s FOIA Public Liaison, Christopher Colbow, at foia@usaid.gov.
Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services offered: Office of Government Information Services National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001 E-mail: ogis@nara.gov Telephone: 202-741-5770; Toll Free: 1-877-684-6448 Fax: 202-741-5769 Thank you for your interest in USAID. Sincerely, Pamela A-Campbell
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division
From: United States Agency for International Development
Good Morning Mr. Tobias,
Thank you for allowing me to discuss your FOIA requests yesterday. Per our
conversation we discussed the aggregation of your 11 PREDICT FOIA requests
for ease of administrative processing. Your requests will be combined and
processed under FOIA Request number *F-00355-20*. The request description
for this request will be updated to include all of the USAID Officials
listed, as follows:
*Any written or electronic communication, including emails, email
attachments, memos, guidances and white papers, sent or received by
Assistant Administrator Alma Crumm Golden, Senior Deputy Assistant
Administrator Irene Koek, Assistant Administrator Richard Parker, General
Counsel Craig Wolf, Chief of Staff William Steiger, Eddy Acevedo,
Assistant Administrator Michelle Bekkering, Counselor Chris
Milligan, Administrator Mark Green, Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick,
and/or Assistant Administrator Ramsey Day that relate or refer in any way
to the Emerging Pandemic Threats program, also known as the PREDICT or
Predict program, a global disease surveillance program funded by USAID.
This request seeks records produced since August 1, 2017. (Date Range for
Record Search: From 8/1/2017 To 8/10/2020).*
As discussed, USAID will work to provide interim responses (as practicable)
to avoid major delays in processing response time. Additionally, the
following FOIA request numbers will be administratively closed effective
today:
F-00354-20
F-00353-20
F-00352-20
F-00351-20
F-00350-20
F-00349-20
F-00348-20
F-00347-20
F-00346-20
F-00345-20.
Please provide your email confirmation of the request description listed
above.
Thank you for your interest in USAID.
*Lezlie Colbert*
Senior FOIA Specialist / Technical Writer
U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex / Washington, DC 20024
Direct: 202 916 4665 / Email: lcolbert@usaid.gov
From: United States Agency for International Development
Good Morning Mr. Tobias,
I hope this email finds you well. Please review the clarified request
description listed below and provide your confirmation so that we may move
forward with your search for responsive documents.
*Lezlie Colbert*
Senior FOIA Specialist / Technical Writer
U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex / Washington, DC 20024
Direct: 202 916 4665 / Email: lcolbert@usaid.gov
From:
USAID has implemented maximum telework to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities in many of our operating units have shifted, thus impacting processing response times. Please note that USAID is unable to conduct a search for physical records while teleworking. As a result, all search requests will be limited to electronic records, unless you notify us that you want your request to remain open until USAID employees have physical access to their workspaces. We appreciate your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please email us at foia@usaid.gov . Thank you.
--
V/r, FOIA Specialist US AID - US Agency for International Development FOIA Office Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) | foia@USAID.gov
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
USAID has implemented maximum telework to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities in many of our operating units have shifted, thus impacting processing response times. Please note that USAID is unable to conduct a search for physical records while teleworking. As a result, all search requests will be limited to electronic records, unless you notify us that you want your request to remain open until USAID employees have physical access to their workspaces. We appreciate your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please email us at foia@usaid.gov . Thank you.
--
V/r, FOIA Specialist US AID - US Agency for International Development FOIA Office Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) | foia@USAID.gov
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
USAID has implemented maximum telework to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities in many of our operating units have shifted, thus impacting processing response times. Please note that USAID is unable to conduct a search for physical records while teleworking. As a result, all search requests will be limited to electronic records, unless you notify us that you want your request to remain open until USAID employees have physical access to their workspaces. We appreciate your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please email us at foia@usaid.gov . Thank you.
--
V/r, FOIA Specialist US AID - US Agency for International Development FOIA Office Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) | foia@USAID.gov
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
USAID has implemented maximum telework to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities in many of our operating units have shifted, thus impacting processing response times. Please note that USAID is unable to conduct a search for physical records while teleworking. As a result, all search requests will be limited to electronic records, unless you notify us that you want your request to remain open until USAID employees have physical access to their workspaces. We appreciate your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please email us at foia@usaid.gov . Thank you.
--
V/r, FOIA Specialist US AID - US Agency for International Development FOIA Office Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) | foia@USAID.gov
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Tobias,
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Your request, F-00355-20 is currently being processed. We do not have an
estimated time on when your request will be completed. USAID is dealing
with a backlog of requests and we will provide you with a response as soon
as we can.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and
solicits your continued patience. If you have any questions concerning
your requests, please send me an email at thmorris@usaid.gov, between 8:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
--
Sincerely,
*Theresa A. Morris*
*Project Manager & Senior FOIA Specialist *
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex, Room 2.4.2C
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
Direct: (202) 921-5003 - thmorris@usaid.gov
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From:
USAID has implemented maximum telework to promote social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities in many of our operating units have shifted, thus impacting processing response times. Please note that USAID is unable to conduct a search for physical records while teleworking. As a result, all search requests will be limited to electronic records, unless you notify us that you want your request to remain open until USAID employees have physical access to their workspaces. We appreciate your understanding during this time. If you have any questions, please email us at foia@usaid.gov . Thank you.
--
V/r, FOIA Specialist US AID - US Agency for International Development FOIA Office Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) | foia@USAID.gov
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Tobias,
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Your request, F-00355-20 is currently being processed. We do not have an
estimated time on when your request will be completed. USAID is dealing
with a backlog of requests and we will provide you with a response as soon
as we can.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and
solicits your continued patience.
Regards,
--
*Theresa A. Morris*
*Project Manager & Senior FOIA Specialist *
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex, Room 2.4.2C
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
Direct: (202) 921-5003 - thmorris@usaid.gov
From: United States Agency for International Development
Greetings -
Thank you for your message. I am out of the office on leave with
limited access to my email.
If you have an urgent FOIA matter, please forward a detailed message
to foia@usaid.gov. Otherwise, I will respond to you after my scheduled
return to the office on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Thank you.
Best,
Alecia
--
*Alecia S. SillahSupervisory FOIA Team LeadUSAID – US Agency for
International DevelopmentBureau for Management, Office of Management
Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) *
*USAID Annex, Room 2.4.0C * **1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ** * **Washington,
DC 20523 *
*Direct: (202) 916-4660 • asillah@usaid.gov <asillah@usaid.gov>*
From: United States Agency for International Development
Greetings -
Thank you for your message. I am out of the office with limited
access to my email.
If you have an urgent FOIA matter, please forward a detailed message
to foia@usaid.gov. Otherwise, I will respond to you after my scheduled
return to the office on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Thank you.
Best,
Alecia
--
*Alecia S. SillahSupervisory FOIA Team LeadUSAID – US Agency for
International DevelopmentBureau for Management, Office of Management
Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) *
*USAID Annex, Room 2.4.0C * **1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ** * **Washington,
DC 20523 *
*Direct: (202) 916-4660 • asillah@usaid.gov <asillah@usaid.gov>*
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
Greetings Mr. Tobias - Received. I will follow-up with the assigned
specialist and provide you with an update by the end of the week.
Thank you.
*Alecia S. SillahSupervisory FOIA Team LeadUSAID – US Agency for
International DevelopmentBureau for Management, Office of Management
Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) *
*USAID Annex, Room 2.4.0C * **1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ** * **Washington,
DC 20523 *
*Direct: (202) 916-4660 • asillah@usaid.gov <asillah@usaid.gov>*
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
Good Afternoon Mr. Tobias,
Please find attached part one of the 1st interim release of documents and
an interim response letter. The second email will follow.
Best regards,
--
Michelle L. Smith
*Senior FOIA Specialist/Technical Writer *
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
michsmith@usaid.gov
From: United States Agency for International Development
Good Afternoon Mr. Tobias,
Please find attached part two of the 1st interim release of documents. For
both sets of documents, they total 169 pages. Thank you for your
continued patience with USAID as we work through our backlog of requests.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me. Have
a nice day.
Best regards,
--
Michelle L. Smith
*Senior FOIA Specialist/Technical Writer *
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
michsmith@usaid.gov
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Jimmy Tobias:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets thedelay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Please be advised that FOIA No. F-00355-20 is still being processed. We do not have an estimated date on when aresponse will be sent to you. Nevertheless, we are working diligently ongetting the next one out to you soon.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and solicitsyour continued patience. If you have any questions concerning your requests,please send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov , between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Best regards, Michelle Smith
From: United States Agency for International Development
Greetings -
Thank you for your message. I am out of the office with limited
access to my email.
If you have an urgent FOIA matter, please forward a detailed message
to foia@usaid.gov. Otherwise, I will respond to you after my scheduled
return to the office on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Thank you.
Best,
Alecia
--
*Alecia S. SillahSupervisory FOIA Team LeadUSAID – US Agency for
International DevelopmentBureau for Management, Office of Management
Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) *
*USAID Annex, Room 2.4.0C * **1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ** * **Washington,
DC 20523 *
*Direct: (202) 916-4660 • asillah@usaid.gov <asillah@usaid.gov>*
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
Greetings -
Thank you for your message. I am out of the office with limited
access to my email.
If you have an urgent FOIA matter, please forward a detailed message
to foia@usaid.gov. Otherwise, I will respond to you after my scheduled
return to the office on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
Thank you.
Best,
Alecia
--
*Alecia S. SillahSupervisory FOIA Team LeadUSAID – US Agency for
International DevelopmentBureau for Management, Office of Management
Services, Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD) *
*USAID Annex, Room 2.4.0C * **1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW ** * **Washington,
DC 20523 *
*Direct: (202) 916-4660 • asillah@usaid.gov <asillah@usaid.gov>*
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Jimmy Tobias:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets thedelay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Please be advised that FOIA No. F-00355-20 isstill being processed.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and solicitsyour continued patience. If you have any questions concerning yourrequests, please send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov , between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Best regards, Michelle Smith
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Tobias:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Please be advised that FOIA No. F-00355-20 is still being processed. The
documents are currently undergoing final reviews. We will have a response
out to you very soon.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and
solicits your continued patience. If you have any questions concerning
your requests, please send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov, between 8:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Best regards,
Michelle Smith
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Tobias:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Please be advised that FOIA No. F-00355-20 is still being processed. We
are awaiting clearance for the remainder of the documents that are
responsive to your request.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and
solicits your continued patience. If you have any questions concerning
your requests, please send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov, between 8:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Best regards,
Michelle Smith
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 Aug. 10, 2020. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #F-00355-20.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: United States Agency for International Development
Dear Mr. Tobias:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Please be advised that FOIA No. F-00355-20 is ready for clearance. We
expect to have a 2nd interim and final response sent to you on or before
June 1, 2022.
USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and
solicits your continued patience. If you have any questions concerning
your requests, please send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov, between 8:00
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Best regards,
Michelle Smith
From: United States Agency for International Development
Good Afternoon,
Please find attached a 2nd and final response letter, as well as documents
that are responsive to your FOIA request, F-00355-20. No fees have been
incurred and your request is now closed. Have a nice day.
To protect its workforce from COVID-19, USAID is implementing maximum
telework. The FOIA Team is therefore working from home and does not have
access to postal mail and fax machine. Accordingly, if you would like to
appeal this disclosure determination, send your appeal to foia@usaid.gov .
Thank you.
Best regards,
--
Michelle L. Smith
*Senior FOIA Specialist/Technical Writer *
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division (M/MS/IRD)
USAID Annex
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523
michsmith@usaid.gov
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