FOIA and Privacy Act Information

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act Requests for USAID Office of Inspector General Records

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. section 552, requires Federal agencies to disclose agency records to requestors. These disclosures are subject to some limitations. Agencies may lawfully withhold certain information from release under exemptions and exclusions specified by the act. FOIA applies only to Federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by State or local government agencies. For more information about FOIA, you may visit FOIA.gov. For more on USAID FOIA regulations, which apply to OIG records, visit this page: FOIA Regulations.

The Privacy Act of 1974 (Privacy Act), 5 U.S.C. section 552a, establishes safeguards for the protection of records that the Federal Government collects and maintains on U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and provides individuals with the opportunity to correct inaccuracies in agency records retrieved by their name and personal identifier or to seek the amendment of inaccurate information.

Currently, USAID OIG’s Office of General Counsel is responsible for processing FOIA requests and requests under the Privacy Act for USAID OIG records.

How To Submit a FOIA or Privacy Act Request for OIG Records

FOIA requests must be submitted in writing either online via our new web-portal Public Access Link, email at oigfoia@usaid.gov, or by regular mail to:

U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General, Office of General Counsel, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 6.06–D, Washington, DC 20523

Please include your mailing address, email address and phone number with your request.

Our ability to respond expeditiously and responsively to your request is dependent upon the clarity of your request. Please provide as much descriptive information as possible. List the types of documents that you want and the timeframe of the documents that should govern our search.

Please remember to give us a phone number in your request letter that we can use if we have questions about your request.

Several characteristics of the FOIA should be kept in mind. As a general rule, agencies are not required to create records in order to respond to FOIA requests. Nor are agencies required to answer questions posed as FOIA requests. Please remember that the FOIA pertains only to existing records and that requests cannot be made for "future" records not yet created.

Any questions relating to your FOIA request should be directed to oigfoia@usaid.gov.

FOIA Processing Fees

The FOIA allows agencies to charge requesters for FOIA search, review and copying services. In your request letter, please indicate your willingness to pay processing fees and the dollar amount you are willing to pay.

Requester Fee Categories

Commercial requestors:

  • Search: $40.00 per hour
    • Search costs will be assessed even though no records may be found if, after review, there is no disclosure of records.
  • Review: $55.00 per hour
  • Duplication: 10 ¢ per page

Educational and Non-Commercial Scientific Institutions

  • Search: No fee
  • Review: No fee
  • Duplication: 10 ¢ per page

Representatives of the News Media

  • Search: No fee
  • Review: No fee
  • Duplication: 10 ¢ per page

All Others

  • Search: Same as “commercial users” except the first two hours shall be furnished without charge
  • Review: No fee
  • Duplication: 10 ¢ per page

Fee Waivers

  • USAID OIG will furnish documents without charge or at a reduced charge if disclosure of the 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.
  • You should make your request for a waiver or reduced fees at the same time you make your initial request for records. If your waiver or fee reduction request is not granted, you will receive a waiver/ fee reduction denial letter which will detail your appeal rights.

For more information about fees and requester categories, please visit Fees and Fee Waivers (justice.gov)

Expedited Processing

Under certain conditions you may be entitled to have your request processed on an expedited basis if you can show a compelling need. There are two categories of circumstances for the justification for expedited processing. Expedited processing can be requested when the failure to obtain the requested records on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual. Expedited processing can be granted if the requester is a person primarily engaged in disseminating information to the public and the information is urgently needed to inform the public concerning some actual or alleged government activity. Please note: Requests are not expedited merely because the requester is a representative of the news media.

Your request for expedited processing must be accompanied by an explanation setting forth the reasons why your request should be expedited. You should certify that the reasons you have given are true and correct.

We will notify you of our decision about whether to grant expedited processing within no more than ten days after receiving your request. If we deny your request for expedited processing, you will be advised of your right to submit an administrative appeal.

How To File A FOIA Appeal

An appeal relating to OIG records may be filed by sending a letter to: Deputy Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Agency for International Development, Suite 6.06–D, RRB, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20523–4601; or by email at oigfoia@usaid.gov. There is no charge for filing an administrative appeal.

FOIA Library

FOIA requires that agencies have a reading room to inspect publicly available documents. The Reports and Plans section of our website serves this purpose. For USAID’s reading room, please visit USAID’s online FOIA Library.

FOIA Reports

USAID OIG FOIA reports made prior to October 1, 2023 can be found here:

FOIA Annual Reports | Freedom of Information Act | U.S. Agency for International Development (usaid.gov)

FOIA Contacts

Correspondence relating to FOIA and Privacy Act requests may be sent to oigfoia@usaid.gov.