SYSTEM NAME:

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Case Files  (May 21, 2015,  80 FR 29312)

SYSTEM LOCATION:

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) records: Freedom of Information Division, Executive Services Directorate, Washington Headquarters Services, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-3100.

DoD Education Activity (DoDEA) records: Department of Defense Education Activity, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center, Executive Services Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1400.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:

Individuals who have requested documents under the provisions of the FOIA from the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Staff (OSD/JS), and the DoDEA, FOIA Requester Service Centers; individuals whose requests and/or records have been processed under the FOIA and referred by other Federal agencies; and attorneys representing individuals submitting such requests.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

Records created or compiled in response to FOIA requests and administrative appeals, i.e., original requests and administrative appeals (including requester's name, mailing address, FOIA case number, date and subject of the request, with some requesters also voluntarily submitting additional information such as telephone numbers and email addresses), responses to such requests and administrative appeals; all related memoranda, correspondence, notes, and other related or supporting documentation; and copies of requested records and records under administrative appeal.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

5 U.S.C. 552, Freedom of Information Act; 10 U.S.C. 113, Secretary of Defense; DoD Directive 5400.07, DoD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program; DoD Regulation 5400.7-R, DoD Freedom of Information Act Program; and Administrative Instruction 108, Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff (JS) Freedom of information Act (FOIA) Program.

PURPOSE(S):

Information is being collected and maintained for the purpose of processing FOIA requests and administrative appeals; for participating in litigation regarding agency action on such requests and appeals; and for assisting the DoD in carrying out any other responsibilities under the FOIA.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:

In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, these records may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:

To the National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), to the extent necessary to fulfill its responsibilities in 5 U.S.C. 552(h), to review administrative agency policies, procedures and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and to facilitate OGIS' offering of mediation services to resolve disputes between persons making FOIA requests and administrative agencies.

Law Enforcement Routine Use: If a system of records maintained by a DoD Component to carry out its functions indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general statute or by regulation, rule, or order issued pursuant thereto, the relevant records in the system of records may be referred, as a routine use, to the agency concerned, whether federal, state, local, or foreign, charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto.

Disclosure to the Department of Justice for Litigation Routine Use: A record from a system of records maintained by a DoD Component may be disclosed as a routine use to any component of the Department of Justice for the purpose of representing the DoD, or any officer, employee or member of the Department in pending or potential litigation to which the record is pertinent.

Disclosure of Information to the National Archives and Records Administration Routine Use: A record from a system of records maintained by a DoD Component may be disclosed as a routine use to the National Archives and Records Administration for the purpose of records management inspections conducted under authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.

Data Breach Remediation Purposes Routine Use: A record from a system of records maintained by a Component may be disclosed to appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when (1) The Component suspects or has confirmed that the security or confidentiality of the information in the system of records has been compromised; (2) the Component has determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether maintained by the Component or another agency or entity) that rely upon the compromised information; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with the Components efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.

The DoD Blanket Routine Uses set forth at the beginning of the OSD compilation of systems of records notices may apply to this system. The complete list of DoD blanket routine uses can be found online at: http://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/BlanketRoutineUses

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE:

Paper records in file folders and electronic storage media.

RETRIEVABILITY:

Retrieved by name of requester, subject matter, date of request, and FOIA request case number.

SAFEGUARDS:

Paper records are maintained in security containers with access only to officials based on requirements of assigned duties. Computer databases are password protected and accessed by individuals with a common access card (CAC) who have a need-to-know.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

Paper records that are granted are destroyed two years after the date of reply. Paper records that are denied in whole or part, no records responses, responses to requesters who do not adequately describe records being sought, or do not state a willingness to pay fees, and records which are appealed or litigated are destroyed six years after final action.

Electronic records are deleted when no longer needed to support Directorate business needs.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:

WHS records: Chief, Freedom of Information Division, Executive Services Directorate, Washington Headquarters Services, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155.

DoDEA records: Chief, Department of Defense Education Activity, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center, Executive Services Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1400.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to:

WHS records: Chief, Freedom of Information Division, Executive Services Directorate, Washington Headquarters Services, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155.

DoDEA records: Chief, Department of Defense Education Activity, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center, Executive Services Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1400.

Signed written requests should include the requester's name, mailing address, and name and number of this system of records notice.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:

Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to:

WHS records: Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Staff Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center, Office of Freedom of Information, Washington Headquarters, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1155.

DoDEA records: Department of Defense Education Activity, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center, Executive Services Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350-1400.

NOTE: For DoDEA records, a non-custodial parent or legal guardian requesting records pertaining to his or her minor child or ward must also provide evidence of that relationship. For example, such parent or legal guardian may provide a copy of a divorce decree or a child custody or guardianship order that includes the child's name.

Requests for information should be in writing, signed, and provide evidence of the requester's identity, such as a copy of a photo ID or passport or similar document bearing the requester's signature. Requests must contain the requester's name, mailing address, FOIA case number, name and number of this system of records notice and be signed.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:

The OSD rules for accessing records, for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in OSD Administrative Instruction 81; 32 CFR part 311; or may be obtained from the system manager.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Individuals who submit initial requests and administrative appeals pursuant to the FOIA; the agency records searched in the process of responding to such requests and appeals; DoD personnel assigned to handle such requests and appeals; other agencies or entities that have referred to the DoD requests concerning DoD records or that have consulted with the DoD regarding the handling of particular requests; submitters of records; and information from those that have provided assistance to the DoD in making FOIA access determinations.

EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:

During the course of a FOIA action, exempt materials from other systems of records may, in turn, become part of the case records in this system. To the extent that copies of exempt records from those other systems of records are entered into this FOIA case record, WHS, and the DoDEA, hereby claim the same exemptions for the records from those other systems that are entered into this system, as claimed for the original primary systems of records which they are a part.

An exemption rule for this system has been promulgated in accordance with requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), (c), and (e) and published in 32 CFR part 311. For additional information contact the system manager.

FEDERAL REGISTER HISTORY:

December 8, 2010, 75 FR 76432; January 28, 2013, 78 FR 5783