Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Resolving Federal FOIA disputes through mediation.
The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) was created within the National Archives and Records Administration when the OPEN Government Act of 2007 amended the
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552)
.
OGIS began operations in September 2009 and will:
- provide services to mediate disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies
- review policies and procedures of administrative agencies under FOIA
- review agency compliance with FOIA
- recommend policy changes to the Congress and President to improve the administration of FOIA
- Learn More About OGIS
OGIS Case Logs
The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) opened its doors in September 2009, and requests for assistance from Freedom of Information Act requesters and agency officials were quick to follow. OGIS opened 30 cases in the last quarter of 2009 and more are coming in for 2010. OGIS staff continues to work with FOIA requesters and agency officials to find solutions to the remaining issues.
OGIS plans to release a weekly update of its Case Log as it strives for transparency and openness in government and to keep the public informed of the progress of the office. For more information, please contact the Office of Government Information Services, at (301) 837-1996, toll-free at 1-877-684-6448 or via e-mail at ogis@nara.gov.
News
FOIA Public Liaison Training 2009
- Training Q & A (updated 02/01/10)
- Training Slides
- OGIS Handout
FOIA Posts from the Department of Justice
- FOIA Training Opportunities, Fiscal Year 2010
- Information on the upcoming training for FOIA Public Liaisons - November 6, 2009
- DOJ's OIP Guidelines for Chief FOIA Officer Reports - September 30, 2009
- Creating a New Era of Open Government - April 17, 2009
Memoranda for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Director Orszag, Office of Management and Budget
- Open Government Directive - December 8, 2009
- Q&A about the Directive
Attorney General Holder, Department of Justice
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - March 19, 2009
President Obama's Memoranda and Other Events
-
Open Government Directive – Data.Gov Frequently Asked Questions for Agencies
- December 23, 2009
- Town Hall Meeting in China - November 16, 2009
- Transparency and Open Government - January 21, 2009
- Freedom of Information Act - January 21, 2009
Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
September 30, 2009: "Advancing Freedom of Information in the New Era of Responsibility"
Miriam Nisbet appointed director of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).
Agency FOIA Activities
- Memorandum regarding FOIA and creating a new era of open government
- Memorandum regarding Proactive disclosure and departmental compliance
Key FOIA Resources
- Guides to How FOIA Works
- Guides to Requesting FOIA Documents
- Access to Previously Released FOIA Records
- Additional FOIA Resources
About OGIS
In addition to reviewing policies and procedures of administrative agencies under FOIA and agency compliance with FOIA, and recommending policy changes to the Congress and President to improve the administration of FOIA, OGIS staff will consult with agencies and private sector stakeholders to help define the scope of OGIS program implementation and develop policies and procedures accordingly. OGIS began operations in September 2009 and will also provide services to mediate disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies.
The Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) was created within the National Archives and Records Administration when the OPEN Government Act of 2007 amended the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). (View the Changes)
Miriam Nisbet is the Director of the new Office of Government Information Services and has previously served as Special Counsel for Information Policy at the National Archives from 1994 to 1999. Learn more about Director Nisbet
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