FOIA Compliance Program
Overview:
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) mandates that the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) review agency FOIA policies, procedures and compliance, 5 U.S.C. §§ 552 (h)(2)(A) and 552 (h)(2)(B).
OGIS reviews agency FOIA policies, procedures and compliance by
- providing Dispute Resolution Skills training to agency FOIA professionals;
- highlighting agency best practices;
- reviewing and commenting on proposed agency FOIA regulations;
- reviewing and suggesting improvements to agency FOIA materials;
- working with agencies when the Office observes policies and procedures that appear to OGIS to be inconsistent with FOIA law or policy; and
- reviewing government and non-government reports on FOIA activities and compliance.
OGIS builds on these activities with its agency assessment program in which OGIS reviews agency FOIA programs by
- Providing agencies with materials to conduct self-assessments
- Assessing agency FOIA programs by reviewing sources including
- FOIA request files;
- FOIA regulations;
- Internal guidance for processing requests;
- agency visits; and
- other supporting documentation.
- Providing agencies with FOIA compliance reports
- Assisting agencies in solving their biggest FOIA challenges
As with its mediation services, OGIS reviews agency policies, procedures and compliance with a focus on impartiality and fairness, and as an advocate for the FOIA process.