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Freedom Of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 United States Code 522, allows you to obtain information from various agencies of the federal government, including the Naval Network and Space Operations Command. The Freedom of Information Act is implemented by the Department of the Navy in Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5720.42F, Department of the Navy Freedom of Information Act Program" (SECNAVINST 5720.42F).
The Department of the Navy's LEARN ABOUT FOIA web page is designed to help you learn about the service's FOIA program. This online resource center includes information for both the public and Navy FOIA offices.
How To Address Foia Requests To Naval Network And Space Operations Command

Instructions

This page is designed to help you through the process of requesting information from the Naval Network and Space Operations Command under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. There are three ways to submit your FOIA request. However, before we get to submitting your request, there are a few things that you need to know:

You will receive a response to your request. Please keep in mind that the 20 working day time limit begins when the activity holding the record(s) receives your request and does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.

In whatever form you submit your request:

· Label your request "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST" on the request (and also on the envelop if you use a written request).

· Describe the specific record(s) you are seeking with enough detail so that a knowledgeable official of the activity may locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort. Such detail should include descriptive information, time-frame to be searched, etc. Because most Navy records are not retained permanently, the more information provided, the better opportunity there is to determine if the records would still exist and where. The FOIA clearly states that records must exist at the time the request is submitted to be considered.

· State your willingness to pay all fees or those up to a specified amount, or provide a justification to support a fee waiver. Agreements to pay fees are considered to be up to $250, unless another amount is specified. Currently we charge search, review (for commercial requesters only), and duplication costs. The fee schedule is provided at enclosure (3) of SECNAVINST 5720.42F.

· Include your postal service mailing address on your request.
Submitting Your Request to NNSOC

1. Submit your request in writing to:
Commander
Naval Network & Space Operations Command (Code N151)
5280 Fourth St.
Dahlgren, VA 22448-5300

2. Submit your request via FAX.
You may send a fax of your request to 540-653-6148.

3. Submit your request via E-mail.

You can transmit your FOIA request via E-mail to: NAVNETSPAOPSCOM FOIA.

Processing Your Request

The FOIA allows "any person" to seek access to "agency records." The Navy processes thousands of FOIA requests for a wide variety of information and only in about 10 percent of the cases is information denied.

You will receive a response to your request. Please keep in mind that the 20 working day time limit begins when we receive your request and does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.

Due to shrinking budgets, downsizing, complexity of certain requests and the need for classification and legal review, we may not be able to respond to your FOIA request within 20 working days. To ensure fair and equitable treatment, your request will be placed in a multitrack "first-in, first out" queue; one for simple requests, one for complex requests, and one for expedited requests.

In limited instances, information may be withheld from disclosure if it is:

· Currently and properly classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy;

· Related solely to internal personnel rules and practices, the release of which would allow circumvention of a statute or rule;

· Protected by a statute that specifically exempts the information;

· Trade secrets and commercial or financial information that was obtained from a private source which would cause substantial competitive harm to the source;

· Pre-decisional opinions and recommendations, inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters that show foreseeable harm if released (attorney-client privilege and attorney-work product are also covered);

· Personnel and medical information, the release of which would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; or

· Investigatory records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, would disclose investigative techniques, or could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.

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