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Library > Fact Sheets > Freedom of Information Act for AFRL/RI
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FOR AFRL/RI
Posted 11/6/2012
Printable Fact Sheet
This fact sheet is intended to assist people in making Freedom of Information Act records requests. It serves as a handbook to help get you started and provide a brief description of the following: Who can make a FOIA request, how to make a FOIA request, fee categories, other FOIA Web sites, governing regulations, Reading Room information, Government Information Locator Service and AFRL/RI contact information.
The Air Force Freedom of Information Act Handbook is located at www.foia.af.mil/.
Who can make a FOIA request: Under FOIA members of the public, including foreign citizens, military and civilian personnel acting as private citizens, organizations and businesses, and individual members of congress, for themselves or constituents, may request records in writing. Federal agencies or fugitives from the law cannot make FOIA requests.
How to make a FOIA request: To submit a FOIA inquiry, send a written request to the FOIA office where the record is located. FOIA requests for records located at AFRL/RI can be accomplished via e-mail to FOIA@rl.af.mil, or by sending your written request to AFRL/FOIA, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514.
All requests must describe the specific records you are requesting in sufficient detail so that they can be located with a reasonable amount of effort. Generally, a record is reasonably described when the description contains sufficient file-related information (type of document, title, subject area, date of creation, originator, contract number, etc.) OR the request contains enough event-related information (date and circumstances surrounding the event the record covers) to permit the conduct of an organized, non random search. You must also state your willingness to pay applicable fees and up to what amount. If you seek a fee waiver, provide a justification for such a waiver.
For fastest response times, send the request to the particular base or activity that has the records. If you don't know which Air Force activity has the records you want, send requests to: HAF/ICIOD, 1000 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1000. Fax: (703) 696-7272, or e-mail: haffoia.workflow@pentagon.af.mil.
Response Time: Normally, you can expect a response to your FOIA request within 20 days from the date the proper FOIA office receives it. If special situations exist, the FOIA office will contact you with an estimated completion date and explain the reason for delay.
If dissatisfied with the response received from the center, you may contact the FOIA Public Liaison at (703) 696-6515 or email af.foiapa@pentagon.af.mil.
Fees: Fees may apply and requests should contain acknowlegment to pay any applicable fees and up to what amount. Justification must be provided for a fee waiver.
Fee Categories:
Commercial - Requesters who seek information for a use or purpose that furthers their commercial, trade, or profit interest are considered commercial requesters. Commercial requesters pay all fees for search, review and duplication.
Educational or Non-commercial Scientific Institution or News Media - Institutions of education, including preschools, elementary or secondary schools, and institutions of higher learning, qualify as educational institutions. The records must be sought in furtherance of scholarly research. Educational requesters pay only duplication fees, unless it is determined that fees are waived or reduced in the public interest. The first 100 pages are provided at no cost.
Non-Commercial Scientific - A non-commercial scientific institution is operated solely for conducting scientific research. The records must be sought in furtherance of scientific research. Like educational requesters, these requesters pay only duplication fees, unless it is determined that fees are waived or reduced in the public interest. The first 100 pages are provided at no cost.
News Media - A representative of the news media is a person actively gathering news for an entity organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public. News media pay only duplication fees, unless it is determined that fees are waived or reduced in the public interest. Again, the first 100 pages are provided at no cost.
"Other" Requesters - Requesters who do not qualify in another category are considered "Other" requesters, and normally make requests for agency records for their personal use. "Other" requesters receive two hours search, all review costs, and the first 100 pages at no cost.
FOIA Exemptions: The FOIA provides access to federal agency records (or part of those records) except those protected from release by nine specific exemptions. These are the reasons some Air Force records may not be released:
1. Classified
2. Internal personnel rules and practices
3. Exempt by other statute
4. Commercial information that would cause competitive harm
5. Pre-decisional, deliberative information
6. Invasion of personal privacy
7. Compile for law enforcement purposed
8. Records for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions.
9. Records containing geological and geophysical information (including maps) concerning wells
You have the right to appeal all denial decisions within 60 days. Send appeals to the Secretary of the Air Force through the office that initially denied you the information.
Some other FOIA Websites:
www.foia.af.mil/
www.defenselink.mil/odam/DFOIPO/index.htm
www.afmc.af.mil/library/foia.asp
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/library/foia.asp
Governing Regulations: The FOIA, which is known by its legal cite as 5 U.S.C.ยง 552, along with DoDR5400.7/AF Supplement and annual reports are available electronically (www.foia.af.mil/reports1.shtml), as well as a list of key FOIA offices from the Air Force FOIA Page, at www.foia.af.mil/FOIA_BASE_LIST.htm. Department of Defense Freedom of Information Act Program, governs how requests will be processed within the Department of Defense can be found at Part 286 of Chapter 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which is available in most libraries. They can also be found at the above defenselink, click on "publications" then FOIA and Department of Defense Freedom of Information Act program Regulation.
Reading Rooms: FOIA reading rooms are available for view in records on site, if desired, at each FOIA office through the Air Force.
Access electronic reading room records from the above Web sites.
There is also a Reading Room located at 26 Electronic Parkway, Bldg 106, Room A132, Rome NY 13441. Call (315) 330-3278 to make an appointment to view hard-copies of previously released FOIA records or electronic copies. To go into the electronic reading room, of DoD click on "Publications" from the Defenselink home page, then scroll down to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and click on it. Then select "Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Staff Electronic Reading Room." A list of titles appears. Click the title you are interested in to view that record.
Comm: 315 330-4176
DSN: 587-4176
Fax: 315 330-1991
E-mail: FOIA@rl.af.mil
Mail:
AFRL/FOIA
26 Electronic Parkway
Rome, NY 13441-4514
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