Freedom of Information Act Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2011

Agency for International Development (USAID) implemented the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Fiscal Year 2011. The agency's FOIA program is designed to provide public access to information and records. The FOIA process involves submitting a request in writing, by fax, or by email, including an agreement to pay any processing fees. The FOIA Team at USAID is responsible for processing requests. The team is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 2.07C, Washington, D.C. 20523. The team's contact information includes a telephone number (202-712-0960), a fax number (202-216-3070), and an email address ([email protected]). The team also handles appeals, which are processed by the Director, Office of Management Services, located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 2.07C, Washington, D.C. 20523. The FOIA process involves several steps, including the submission of a request, the review of the request, and the release of the requested information. The agency uses a multi-track processing system, which categorizes requests into simple and complex requests. Simple requests are processed quickly, while complex requests require more time and resources. The agency uses various exemptions to withhold information from disclosure. Exemption 3 statutes, such as 41 U.S.C. § 253m(1), are used to withhold contractor proposals and other sensitive information. Exemption 4 is used to protect commercial or financial information, while Exemption 5 is used to protect inter-agency communications and attorney-client information. In Fiscal Year 2011, the agency received 1,434 FOIA requests, resulting in 1,244 grants, 144 partial grants, and 46 denials. The agency also received 24 appeals, resulting in 14 grants, 6 partial grants, and 4 denials. The agency's FOIA program is designed to provide public access to information and records, while also protecting sensitive information and protecting the rights of individuals. The agency's FOIA program is governed by the Freedom of Information Act, which requires agencies to respond to requests within 20 working days. The agency's FOIA team is responsible for processing requests and providing information to the public. The team uses a multi-track processing system to categorize requests and provide timely responses. The agency's FOIA program is an important part of its mission to provide public access to information and records. The program is designed to balance the need for transparency and accountability with the need to protect sensitive information and protect the rights of individuals. The agency's FOIA team is committed to providing timely and accurate responses to requests, while also protecting the agency's interests and the public's right to know.