USAID Ebola audits

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.

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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

April 15, 2020 RE:  USAID FOIA No. F-00177-20 (Acknowledgment Letter) Dear Mr. Freudenthal: Thank you for your letter dated April 15, 2020, requesting information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552.  The tracking number for your request is F-00177-20.  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, Regine Cooper
FOIA Specialist
Bureau for Management
Office of Management Services
Information and Records Division

April 15, 2020 RE:  USAID FOIA No. F-00177-20 (FOIA Specialist Assignment Email) Dear Mr. Freudenthal: This acknowledges receipt of your April 15, 2020, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Specifically, you requested all the drafts or final reports of audits and/or investigations and/or desk reviews undertaken by the Office of the Inspector General on the response to the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and all reports of the visit by a delegation of senior U.S. officials to the Democratic Republic of Congo to assess the response to the outbreak. (Date Range for Record Search: From 1/1/2019 To 1/15/2020).
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 Adam Abdi, Program Manager/Senior FOIA Specialist.  You may contact Adam Abdi by email at aabdi@usaid.gov or by phone on 202-916-4664.  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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

Dear Mr. Emmanuel Freudenthal:

Your follow-up has sent to the assigned FOIA specialist, also on this
email, for response to you.

V/r,
Pam A-Campell
FOIA Specialist
*USAID **- US Agency for International Development **FOIA Office*
Bureau for Management, Office of Management Services, Information and
Records Division (M/MS/IRD) | *foia@USAID.gov*

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.

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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

Good Afternoon,

USAID is still in the process of gathering records responsive to your
request. I do not have an estimated date of completion at this time.

*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

Dear Mr. Freudenthal:

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-00177-20 has been reassigned to me, MichelleSmith, for processing.

USAID is working very hard to comply with your request and weappreciate your continued patience.  If you have any questionsconcerning your request(s), do not hesitate to send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov between 8:00 a.m. and4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, EST. Please be sure to include the FOIArequest tracking number in the subject line of your email. (mailto:michsmith@usaid.gov) Thank you and have a nice day! Best regards, Michelle L. Smith

Dear Mr. Freudenthal:

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-00177-20 has been reassigned to me, Michelle
Smith, for processing. Currently, I am awaiting a response from the
program office. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, many of
the staff were on leave.

USAID is working very hard to comply with your request and we
appreciate your continued patience. If you have any questions concerning
your request(s), do not hesitate to send me an email at michsmith@usaid.gov
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, EST. Please be sure
to include the FOIA request tracking number in the subject line of your
email.

Thank you and have a nice day!
Best regards,

Michelle L. Smith

Good Morning,

Please find attached a pre-disclosure notification letter. Have a nice day.
Best,

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

Dear Mr. Emmanuel Freudenthal:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Documents responsive to this request have been reviewed and were sent for
clearance on 2/10/2021. Once the documents have been cleared, a response
will be sent to you.

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

Dear Mr. Freudenthal:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Your request is currently in the clearance process. There is no need to
submit an appeal. Please note that USAID is dealing with a huge backlog of
requests. We apologize for taking so long to provide a response. We will
get a response out to you 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

Dear Mr. Emmanuel Freudenthal:

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-00177-20 is currently being processed.
The documents are under review.

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

Dear Mr. Emmanuel Freudenthal:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Your request is currently pending clearance. Unfortunately, we do not have
an estimated date on when you will receive the response.

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,

Michelle

Dear Mr. Emmanuel Freudenthal:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Your request is currently pending clearance. Unfortunately, we do not have
an estimated date on when you will receive the response. USAID is
currently dealing with a backlog of requests. We are trying to get
responses out to requesters on a first in/first out basis. I will keep you
informed.
Best regards,

Michelle Smith

Hi Mr. Freudewnthal,

*UPDATE*

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We
are processing your request and it will take more time. Please be assured
that your request is being handled and I will provide you with an update on
or before July 26, 2021. Thanks!
Best,
Michelle

Good Morning Mr. Freudenthal:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regrets the
delay in responding to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request,
F-00177-20. Your request is still being processed and documents are under
final review. We hope to have a response for you 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. Thank you and have a nice day.
Best regards,

Michelle Smith

Dear Mr. Freudenthal:

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-00177-20 is still being processed. We
are trying to get a response to you by the end of this month.

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.

Sincerely,

Michelle Smith

Good Morning Mr. Freudenthal,

Thank you so much for being patient with USAID. I know that it has taken
some time to fulfill your request. For what you are requesting, we had to
track down people at our missions in West Africa. Once we were in contact
with them, they had to conduct searches for records. The records you seek
are very old and as the years go by, employees get transferred to other
overseas mission assignments. So, we wanted to be sure that we locate
records that are available/responsive to your request, if they exist.

USAID regrets any delay incurred in complying with your request and
solicits your continued patience. Your request is at the top of my list.
My manager and I are working diligently to get a response sent to you.
Have a nice day.
Best,
Michelle Smith

Good Morning Mr. Freudenthal,

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-00177-20 is in line for final review and
clearance to be released. Some of the documents that are responsive to your
request belong to others that are located outside of the U.S. It took us a
long time to get responses from the business submitters.

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

_____________________________________________________________________

Good Morning Mr. Freudenthal,

Please find attached a final letter and documents that are responsive to
your request. The documents are password protected. The password will be
sent to you in a separate email.

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 and 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

Holiday#2021
Best,

--
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

**THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.** Mr. Freudenthal: Attached is the response to your subject Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, 5 U.S.C. § 552 . If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact our FOIA Requester Service Center or FOIA Public Liaison at FOIAstatus@state.gov or 202-261-8484. **THIS EMAIL BOX IS NOT MONITORED, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.**