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The following is an overview of OPIC’s Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") procedures to inform members of the public about their rights under the FOIA. (Go to OPIC's FOIA Electronic Reading Room) What is "FOIA"? The "FOIA," or Freedom of Information Act, is a Federal law that provides for public access to agency records. The FOIA is located in Section 552 of Title 5 of the United States Code (5 U.S.C. 552). OPIC's FOIA regulations are contained in Part 706 of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations (22 C.F.R. Part 706). Any agency records in OPIC’s possession or control are subject to the FOIA. The requested records will be provided in full, unless one or more of the nine FOIA exemptions applies. For example, OPIC may withhold confidential business information that is contained within an agency record. The nine exemptions are all described in detail in the text of the FOIA. Must I submit a FOIA request to receive agency records from OPIC? There are many ways to obtain information from OPIC, including OPIC’s electronic reading room (see below) and other pages on this web site (OPIC's Development Mission; Publications and Press; OPIC Application Forms; Frequently Asked Questions; etc.). To obtain such information in other ways, please see Contact OPIC. To learn more about the types and categories of information available from OPIC, you may check the agency’s GILS (Government Information Locator System) listing. You may also request general OPIC information via by electronic mail at: info@opic.gov If you still have not found what you are looking for, then you may submit a FOIA request, as described below. What should a FOIA request contain? You must submit your request in writing. Please include your name, organization (if any), address, and phone number. Also, you must reasonably describe the records you seek – the more detail you give us, the more quickly we will be able to respond. You may even specify the format (e.g., computer disk) in which you would like the information released. We will make a reasonable effort to provide the information to you in your requested format. Finally, you must state your willingness to pay fees (you may state the maximum amount you are willing to pay) or request a waiver of fees (see below). What are the fees for a FOIA request? In many cases, FOIA requesters are not charged any fees by OPIC. The FOIA, however, permits agencies to recover part of the cost incurred in complying with FOIA requests. Specifically, OPIC may recover the following costs:
Please note that OPIC will provide records to educational institutions, non-commercial scientific institutions, and representatives of the news media for the cost of reproduction alone. Further, no fee will be charged to such entities for the costs of photocopying the first 100 pages of documents. Commercial use requesters will be charged all costs listed above. Requesters that are not otherwise described in this paragraph will be charged for search and duplication, but will not be charged for the first two hours of search time or the costs of photocopying the first 100 pages of documents. In addition, requesters will not be charged if the allowable FOIA fees total $15 or less. Please note that OPIC is authorized to recover search and review costs even if no responsive records are found or, after review, no records are disclosed. A waiver or reduction of fees may be granted in cases where disclosure of information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Does OPIC have an on-site FOIA reading room? The FOIA requires agencies to make certain records available for public inspection and copying in an agency "reading room." Because OPIC rarely receives requests to review FOIA records onsite, the agency does not maintain a permanent reading room. Upon reasonable notice, OPIC will make space available for reading room purposes at its office in Washington, DC. Does OPIC have an electronic reading room? Yes. OPIC’s electronic reading room contains documents specifically identified for inclusion by the Electronic FOIA Amendments of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-231. Other documents of general interest are also included. Documents will be added on an ongoing basis as they are created or identified.How do I submit a FOIA request to OPIC? You may mail your FOIA request to:
Alternately, you may e-mail your FOIA request to FOIA@opic.gov. Or, you may fax your FOIA request to (202) 408-0297, attention FOIA Director. If you send your request by facsimile, you need not mail a follow-up letter. I still have questions! If this information has not answered all of your FOIA questions, please contact OPIC’s FOIA Director. |
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