ADS Chapter 557 - Public Information

The Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs/Public Information, Production and Online Services (LPA/PIPOS) is responsible for responding to public inquiries and requests for information, as well as for the overall operations of the USAID Information Center. The LPA/PIPOS staff is the focal point for the preparation and release of information, and they must stimulate, program, and coordinate efforts to produce and disseminate timely, accurate information. This includes responding to requests for information from the general public concerning foreign assistance programs of the United States and other related requests. With the exception of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, LPA must process all information requests from the general public. Bureaus/Independent Offices (B/IOs) and Missions are also responsible for providing information to the public. They must designate a U.S. Direct Hire as the cognizant officer responsible for the material posted to Agency-funded or -produced Web sites and coordinate server security practices with the USAID Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The Bureau for Management, Office of Information Resources Management, Enabling Technologies & Integration, Web Services (M/IRM/ETI/WS) is responsible for setting standards for all USAID internet web pages and for issues surrounding the access, securing, configuration, operations, and maintenance of the servers that comprise the Agency's external Web presence. USAID's policy is that information concerning its objectives and operations must be freely available to the public to the maximum extent practicable. The Public Information, Publications and Online Services (PIPOS) staff within LPA is responsible for responding promptly to all requests for information from the public and for performing other functions to educate the public on foreign assistance activities. Information posted to the Web is readily available to the general public, and LPA/PIPOS must review such materials prior to posting to the Web site. The Bureau must be notified of the URL of a USAID-produced or -financed Web site as far in advance of the site's launch as possible, and a thorough review of the Web site must be conducted to ensure its compliance with applicable Federal, USAID, and security and accessibility laws, policies, and regulations. The LPA/PIPOS must conduct a review of information posted to Agency-funded or -produced Web sites as to the compliance with standards set by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative, USAID and Federal Government requirements, and other relevant laws, policies, and regulations. This includes ensuring that Web sites are accessible to people with disabilities and that they comply with security and accessibility laws, policies, and regulations. In summary, USAID's public information policies and procedures are designed to ensure the free availability of information to the public and to promote transparency and accountability in the agency's operations. The LPA/PIPOS plays a critical role in responding to public inquiries and requests for information, as well as in the overall operations of the USAID Information Center.