FOIA Request for Communications Related to COVID-19 Response and Data Collection for the District of Columbia (District Of Columbia Department Of Health)

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear Nicole Del Casale, Request Number 2021-FOIA-00151 has been assigned to the request you submitted in relation to: Request description: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

I am seeking information regarding COVID-19 data for the District of Columbia, between the dates of June 15th - June 24th, and between the dates of September 11th - September 20th.

I am requesting information related to: emails, Microsoft Team Chats,

I am looking for correspondence from anyone related to the Contact Trace Force in D.C., and specifically from these people:

Bircan Tekin (OCTO Contractor - bircan.tekin@dc.gov)
Michael Bentivegna (OCTO - michael.bentivegna@dc.gov)
Michael Rupert (Communications Director - michael.rupert@dc.gov and octo.communications@dc.gov)
Benjamin Fritsch (Communications Specialist - benjamin.fritsch@dc.gov)
Nina Liggett (Deputy Communications Director - nina.liggett@dc.gov)
LaQuandra Nesbitt MD, MPH)
Web Maintenance Editor (mainteditor@dc.gov)
Elizabeth Brooks (OCTO - elizabeth.brooks@dc.gov)
Ramona Yun (EOM - ramon.yun1@dc.gov)
Stephanie Black (Messaging Director and Speechwriter, Office of Communications)
Shauntel Ellis (EOM)
Kimberly Henderson (DC Health Communications Director - kimberley.henderson@dc.gov),
Alison Reeves (Public Affairs Specialist - alison.reeves@dc.gov)
Dora Taylor-Lowe (DOH Public Information Officer - dora.taylor-lowe@dc.gov)
Sward Tondoneh (Communications Director for deputy may for health and human services - sward.tondoneh@dc.gov)
LaToya Foster (Director of Communications from Mayor's office of communications - latoya.foster@dc.gov)
Susana Castillo (press secretary - susana.castillo@dc.gov)

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 15 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Nicole Del Casale

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ In all future correspondence regarding this request, please reference request number 2021-FOIA-00151. To check for status, please log in  https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx and go to Request Status. For any questions regarding your request, please contact the FOIA office directly. Find the list of agency Open Governement and FOIA contact information by visiting FOIA Contact Information. For ease of reference, we ask that you have your FOIA Request Number available when you contact the FOIA office. (https://dc.gov/node/818962) Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal Having technical difficulties? Email FOIA.SystemAdmin@dc.gov or call 202-478-5973

Ms. Del Casale, Submission of Two Identical FOIA Requests It appears that you have submitted two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that are identical.  Unless you advise me by October 27, 2020, I will treat the two FOIA requests being identical. You submitted a FOIA request on October 13, 2020 docketed as 2021-FOIA-00271 seeking records for: I am seeking information regarding COVID-19 data for the District of Columbia, between the dates of June 15th - June 24th, and between the dates of September 11th - September 20th. I am requesting information related to: emails, Microsoft Team Chats, I am looking for correspondence from anyone related to the Contact Trace Force in D.C., and specifically from these people: Bircan Tekin (OCTO Contractor - bircan.tekin@dc.gov) Michael Bentivegna (OCTO - michael.bentivegna@dc.gov) Michael Rupert (Communications Director - michael.rupert@dc.gov and octo.communications@dc.gov) Benjamin Fritsch (Communications Specialist - benjamin.fritsch@dc.gov) Nina Liggett (Deputy Communications Director - nina.liggett@dc.gov) LaQuandra Nesbitt MD, MPH) Web Maintenance Editor (mainteditor@dc.gov) Elizabeth Brooks (OCTO - elizabeth.brooks@dc.gov) Ramona Yun (EOM - ramon.yun1@dc.gov) Stephanie Black (Messaging Director and Speechwriter, Office of Communications) Shauntel Ellis (EOM) Kimberly Henderson (DC Health Communications Director - kimberley.henderson@dc.gov), Alison Reeves (Public Affairs Specialist - alison.reeves@dc.gov) Dora Taylor-Lowe (DOH Public Information Officer - dora.taylor-lowe@dc.gov) Sward Tondoneh (Communications Director for deputy may for health and human services - sward.tondoneh@dc.gov) LaToya Foster (Director of Communications from Mayor's office of communications - latoya.foster@dc.gov) Susana Castillo (press secretary - susana.castillo@dc.gov) You submitted a FOIA request on October 7, 2020 docketed as 2021-FOIA-00151 seeking records for: I am seeking information regarding COVID-19 data for the District of Columbia, between the dates of June 15th - June 24th, and between the dates of September 11th - September 20th. I am requesting information related to: emails, Microsoft Team Chats, I am looking for correspondence from anyone related to the Contact Trace Force in D.C., and specifically from these people: Bircan Tekin (OCTO Contractor - bircan.tekin@dc.gov) Michael Bentivegna (OCTO - michael.bentivegna@dc.gov) Michael Rupert (Communications Director - michael.rupert@dc.gov and octo.communications@dc.gov) Benjamin Fritsch (Communications Specialist - benjamin.fritsch@dc.gov) Nina Liggett (Deputy Communications Director - nina.liggett@dc.gov) LaQuandra Nesbitt MD, MPH) Web Maintenance Editor (mainteditor@dc.gov) Elizabeth Brooks (OCTO - elizabeth.brooks@dc.gov) Ramona Yun (EOM - ramon.yun1@dc.gov) Stephanie Black (Messaging Director and Speechwriter, Office of Communications) Shauntel Ellis (EOM) Kimberly Henderson (DC Health Communications Director - kimberley.henderson@dc.gov), Alison Reeves (Public Affairs Specialist - alison.reeves@dc.gov) Dora Taylor-Lowe (DOH Public Information Officer - dora.taylor-lowe@dc.gov) Sward Tondoneh (Communications Director for deputy may for health and human services - sward.tondoneh@dc.gov) LaToya Foster (Director of Communications from Mayor's office of communications - latoya.foster@dc.gov) Susana Castillo (press secretary - susana.castillo@dc.gov) Extended Response Period Due to the public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic response, the statute requiring a response within 15 business days now excludes all days covered by a public health declaration.  All dates from March 11, 2020 through December 31, 2020 are covered by the public health emergency. Responses to (1) your FOIA request dated October 13, 2020 and docketed as 2021-FOIA-00271 and (2) your FOIA request dated October 7, 2020 and docketed as 2021-FOIA-00151 is not statutorily required until January 25, 2021. We are working to respond to FOIA requests as quickly as possible given the deployment of personnel for the COVID-19 pandemic response.  I have requested documents from agency officials. As your FOIA request seeks emails, an Email Search Request was submitted to the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Technology Officer in compliance with Mayor’s Order 2008-88. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me. Phillip L. Husband General Counsel and Freedom of Information Officer Office of the General Counsel (OGC) District of Columbia Department of Health O: 202-442-5970 M: 202-997-4943 899 North Capitol Street NE, 6 Fl, Washington, DC 20002 th Phillip.Husband@dc.gov dchealth.dc.gov

Ms. Del Casale, I am updating you on the status of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request docketed as 2020-FOIA-00151. Search Started I have asked responsible Department of Health officials to provide documents responsive to your FOIA request. In compliance with Mayor’s Order 2008-88, I have submitted an Email Search Request to the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Technology Officer. The Department of Health is a lead agency in the COVID-19 pandemic response.  Staff has been redeployed to address the pandemic.  We will respond to your FOIA request as quickly as we can. Revised Response Deadline On October 7, 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-103 extending the public health emergency though December 31, 2020. Legislation enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia excludes days included in a declared public health emergency.  The deadline for a final response for your FOIA request is being changed from October 27, 2020 to January 25, 2021, subject to extension should the Mayor extend the public health emergency and subject to reduction should the Mayor terminate the public health emergency earlier than December 31, 2020. I am available to discuss. Phillip L. Husband General Counsel and Freedom of Information Officer Office of the General Counsel (OGC) District of Columbia Department of Health O: 202-442-5970 M: 202-997-4943 899 North Capitol Street NE, 6 Fl, Washington, DC 20002 th Phillip.Husband@dc.gov dchealth.dc.gov

Ms.Del Casale, Iam updating you on the status of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requestdocketed as 2021-FOIA-00271. SearchStarted Ihave asked responsible Department of Health officials to provide documentsresponsive to your FOIA request. Incompliance with Mayor’s Order 2008-88 and when applicable , I havesubmitted an Email Search Request to the District of Columbia Office of theChief Technology Officer.?? TheDepartment of Health is a lead agency in the COVID-19 pandemic response.? Staffhas been redeployed to address the pandemic.? We will respond to your FOIArequest as quickly as we can. RevisedResponse Deadline OnOctober 7,?2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-103?extendingthe public health emergency though?December 31, 2020. Legislationenacted by the Council of the District of Columbia excludes?days included in adeclared public health emergency.? The deadline for a final response for yourFOIA request?is being changed?from October?27, 2020 to January 25, 2021,subject to extension should the Mayor extend the public health emergency andsubject to reduction should the Mayor terminate the public health emergencyearlier than December 31, 2020. Iam available to discuss.?? Phillip L. Husband General Counsel and Freedom of Information Officer Office of the General Counsel (OGC) District of Columbia Department of Health O: 202-442-5970 M: 202-997-4943 899 North Capitol Street NE, 6 th ?Fl, Washington, DC 20002 Phillip.Husband@dc.gov dchealth.dc.gov

I am updating you on the status of your Freedom of Information Act(FOIA) request. Search Started I have asked responsibleDepartment of Health officials to provide documents responsive to your FOIArequest.? In compliance with Mayor’s Order2008-88 and when applicable, I have submitted an Email Search Request tothe District of Columbia Office of the Chief Technology Officer.??? The Department of Health is alead agency in the COVID-19 pandemic response.? Staff has been redeployed toaddress the pandemic.? We will respond to your FOIA request as quickly as wecan.? Revised Response Deadline On December 18,?2020, MayorMuriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-127?extending the public healthemergency though?March 31, 2021.? Legislation enacted by the Council of the District of Columbiaexcludes days included in a declared public health emergency.  Thedeadline for a final response for your FOIA request is beingchanged from January 25, 2021 to March 31, 2021, subject to extensionshould the Mayor extend the public health emergency and subject to reductionshould the Mayor terminate the public health emergency earlier than March 31,2021. We will respond to your FOIArequest as quickly as we can. I am available to discuss .??? Phillip L. Husband? General Counsel and Freedom of Information Officer? Office of the General Counsel (OGC)? District of Columbia Department of Health? O: 202-442-5970? M: 202-997-4943? 899 North Capitol Street NE, 6 th ?Fl,Washington, DC 20002? Phillip.Husband@dc.gov dchealth.dc.gov

Ms. Del Casale,
Attached as PDFs are the Department of Health’s response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and two sets of responsive documents.
If I may be of further assistance, please contact me.
Phillip L. Husband
General Counsel and Freedom of Information Officer
Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
District of Columbia Department of Health
O: 202-442-5970
M: 202-997-4943
899 North Capitol Street NE, 6th Fl, Washington, DC 20002
Phillip.Husband@dc.gov
dchealth.dc.gov

Dear Nicole Del Casale,
A message has been sent to your account in the DC Government FOIA Portal. Once logged in; click on the Request Status link in the left panel, locate request #2021-FOIA-00151, and select the message to view it.
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Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal

This is an automated message from the DC Government FOIA system. Dear Nicole Del Casale, The status for your request is below. Please log into https://foia-dc.gov/palMain.aspx and go to Request Status. If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, please contact the agency's FOIA office that you had submitted your FOIA request to. You can communicate directly with the FOIA office by clicking on Inbox, search the request number, and then click Compose Message. OR, visit to see a list DC Government FOIA Office’s/officer’s contact information and have your Request ID ready. (https://dc.gov/node/818962) Contact FOIA Office Request status: Closed Request ID: 2021-FOIA-00151 Description: To Whom It May Concern:Pursuant to the DC Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:I am seeking information regarding COVID-19 data for the District of Columbia, between the dates of June 15th - June 24th, and between the dates of September 11th - September 20th.I am requesting information related to: emails, Microsoft Team Chats,I am looking for correspondence from anyone related to the Contact Trace Force in D.C., and specifically from these people:Bircan Tekin (OCTO Contractor - bircan.tekin@dc.gov)Michael Bentivegna (OCTO - michael.bentivegna@dc.gov)Michael Rupert (Communications Director - michael.rupert@dc.gov and octo.communications@dc.gov)Benjamin Fritsch (Communications Specialist - benjamin.fritsch@dc.gov)Nina Liggett (Deputy Communications Director - nina.liggett@dc.gov)LaQuandra Nesbitt MD, MPH)Web Maintenance Editor (mainteditor@dc.gov)Elizabeth Brooks (OCTO - elizabeth.brooks@dc.gov)Ramona Yun (EOM - ramon.yun1@dc.gov)Stephanie Black (Messaging Director and Speechwriter, Office of Communications)Shauntel Ellis (EOM)Kimberly Henderson (DC Health Communications Director - kimberley.henderson@dc.gov),Alison Reeves (Public Affairs Specialist - alison.reeves@dc.gov)Dora Taylor-Lowe (DOH Public Information Officer - dora.taylor-lowe@dc.gov)Sward Tondoneh (Communications Director for deputy may for health and human services - sward.tondoneh@dc.gov)LaToya Foster (Director of Communications from Mayor's office of communications - latoya.foster@dc.gov)Susana Castillo (press secretary - susana.castillo@dc.gov)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 15 business days, as the statute requires.Sincerely,Nicole Del CasaleUpload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ Regards,
DC Government FOIA Portal