National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

FY07 Annual Freedom of Information Act Report 

I. Basic Information

 

A. Name, title, address, and telephone number of person(s) to be contacted with questions about the 

report. 

Stephen L. McConnell, Principal Agency FOIA Officer 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

300 E Street, SW, Code: NB000 

Washington, DC 20546-0001 

Telephone: 202.358.0068 

B. Electronic address for report on the World Wide Web. 

www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/FOIA

C. How to obtain a copy of the report in paper form. 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Attention: Freedom of Information Act Office 

300 E Street, SW, Code: NB000 

Washington, DC 20546 

II. How to Make a FOIA Request 

A. Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all individual agency components and offices that receive 

FOIA requests. 

NASA Headquarters 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code P 

Washington, DC 20546 

Office of the Inspector General 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code W 

Washington, DC 20546 

Ames Research Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code 19-40 

Moffett Field, CA 94035 

Dryden Flight Research Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, PO Box 273 

Edwards, CA 93523 

Glenn Research Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code 0610 

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, OH 44135 

Goddard Space Flight Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code 213.1 

Greenbelt, MD 20771 

Johnson Space Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code AP2 

Houston, TX 77058 

Kennedy Space Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code XA-A1 

Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 

Langley Research Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code 154 

Hampton, VA 23681 

Marshall Space Flight Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code CS20 

Marshall Space Flight Ctr, AL 

35812 

Stennis Space Center 

Attn: FOIA Office, Code CA100 

Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 

NASA Shared Service Center 

Attn: FOIA Office 

Box 5100, Standby Road 

Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 

1
B. Brief description of the agency's response-time ranges (in working days): 

These time ranges denote the median dates from the 13 decentralized FOIA Requester Service Centers, 

which maintain and track their individual response times. 

Expedited: 29-94 days Simple: 5-42 days Complex: 12-184 days 

C. Brief description of why some requests are not granted: 

Most of the denials part based on exempted material requested. Others were based on no information was 

found responsive to the request, while others withdrew their request after finding the information 

electronically. Some of the requests were not agency records and we either forwarded the request to the 

responsive agency or referred the requester to the responsive agency. 

III. Definitions of Terms and Acronyms Used in the Report 

A. Agency-specific acronyms or other terms. 

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

HQ NASA Headquarters 

ARC Ames Research Center 

DFRC Dryden Flight Research Center 

GSPC Goddard Space Flight Center 

JSC Johnson Space Flight Center 

KSC Kennedy Space Flight Center 

LaRC Langley Research Center 

GRC Glen Research Center 

MSFC Marshall Space Flight Center 

NSSC NASA Shared Service Center 

SSC Stennis Space Center 

OIG Office of the Inspector General 

E-FOIA Electronic Freedom of Information Act 

 

B. Basic terms, expressed in common terminology. 

FOIA/PA request – Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act request. A FOIA request is generally a 

request for access to records concerning a third party, an organization, or a particular topic of interest. A 

Privacy Act request is a request for records concerning one self; such requests are also treated as FOIA 

requests. (All requests for access to records, regardless of which law is cited by the requester, are included 

in this report.) 

Initial Request – a request to a federal agency for access to records under the Freedom of Information Act. 

Appeal – a request to a federal agency asking that it review at a higher administrative level a full denial or 

partial denial of access to records under the Freedom of Information Act, or any other FOIA determination 

such as a matter pertaining to fees. 

Processed Request or Appeal – a request or appeal for which an agency has taken a final action on the 

request or the appeal in all respects. 

Multi-track processing – a system in which simple requests requiring relatively minimal review are placed 

in one processing track and more voluminous and complex requests are placed in one or more other tracks. 

Requests in each track are processed on a first-in/first out basis. A requester who has an urgent need for 

records may request expedited processing (see below). 

2
Expedited processing – an agency will process a FOIA request on an expedited basis when a requester has 

shown an exceptional need or urgency for the records which warrants prioritization of his or her request 

over other requests that were made earlier. 

Simple request – a FOIA request that an agency using multi-track processing places in its fastest (nonexpedited) track based on the volume and/or simplicity of records requested. 

Complex request – a FOIA request that an agency using multi-track processing places in a slower track 

based on the volume and/or complexity of records requested. 

Grant – an agency decision to disclose all records in full in response to a FOIA request. 

Partial grant – an agency decision to disclose a record in part in response to a FOIA request, deleting 

information determined to be exempt under one or more of the FOIA's exemptions; or a decision to disclose 

some records in their entireties, but to withhold others in whole or in part. 

Denial – an agency decision not to release any part of a record or records in response to a FOIA request 

because all the information in the requested records is determined by the agency to be exempt under one or 

more of the FOIA's exemptions, or for some procedural reason (such as because no record is located in 

response to a FOIA request). 

 

Time limits – the time period in the Freedom of Information Act for an agency to respond to a FOIA 

request (ordinarily 20 working days from proper receipt of a "perfected" FOIA request). 

"Perfected" request – a FOIA request for records that adequately describes the records sought, which has 

been received by the FOIA office of the agency or agency component in possession of the records, and for 

which there is no remaining question about the payment of applicable fees. 

Exemption 3 statute – a separate federal statute prohibiting the disclosure of a certain type of information 

and authorizing its with holding under FOIA subsection (b)(3). 

Median number – the middle, not average, number. For example, of 3, 7, and 14, the median number is 7. 

Average number – the number obtained by dividing the sum of a group of numbers by the quantity of 

numbers in the group. For example, of 3, 7, and 14, the average number is 8. 

IV. Exemption 3 Statutes 

List of Exemption 3 statutes relied on by agency during current fiscal year: 

• 5 USC 638(j)(2) – Contracts withheld data generated by contractors who elected to retain their rights in 

accordance with the retention period to under the contract. 

• 10 USC 2305(g) – Procurement, unsuccessful proposals for competitive procurements and those 

portions of successful proposals that were not incorporated into the contracts. 

• 22 USC 2751 – Technical data withheld according to regulations establishing lists or categories of 

technical data that may not be exported, under the Arms Export Control Act. 

• 35 USC 205 – Authorize federal agencies to withhold from disclose to the public information 

disclosing any invention in which the federal government owns or may own a right, title or interest for 

reasonable time in order for a patent application to be filed. 

• 41 USC 423 – Performance evaluations compiled by the procurement office are used in source 

selection activities covered by the Procurement Integrity Act and are considered sensitive. 

3
V. Initial FOIA/PA Access Requests 

A. Numbers of initial requests: 

1. Number of requests pending as of end of preceding fiscal year: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

7 0 3 13 134 10 0 11 56 0 0 2 5 241 

2. Number of requests received during current fiscal year: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

108 19 50 180 317 62 244 154 50 172 7 17 36 1416 

3. Number of requests processed during current fiscal year: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

57 17 52 152 313 61 233 161 47 172 6 19 36 1326 

4. Number of requests pending as of end of current fiscal year: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

58 2 1 41 138 11 11 4 59 0 1 0 5 331 

B. Disposition of initial requests: 

1. Number of total grants: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

14 8 22 41 88 15 80 41 17 66 5 5 6 408 

 

2. Number of partial grants: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

11 7 16 69 32 12 62 50 18 80 0 10 13 380 

3. Number of denials: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

3 0 1 0 6 4 9 4 0 4 1 0 2 34 

a. Number of times each FOIA exemption used: 

Exemption 1: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Exemption 2: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

4 0 1 0 2 6 5 4 2 2 0 0 10 36 

Exemption 3: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

1 0 2 10 0 6 7 0 3 6 1 0 0 36 

Exemption 4: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

9 6 14 62 18 11 49 28 8 74 0 5 0 284 

Exemption 5: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

5 1 1 3 7 0 12 5 3 8 0 7 7 59 

Exemption 6: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

6 0 2 3 22 6 16 20 8 2 0 0 8 93 

4
Exemption 7: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 31 

Exemption 8: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Exemption 9: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

 

4. Other reasons for nondisclosure: 

a. No records: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

5 1 5 15 29 14 38 14 2 8 0 1 11 143 

b. Referrals: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

6 0 3 9 88 3 12 17 2 3 0 1 0 144 

c. Request withdrawn: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

5 1 4 10 7 2 10 11 2 4 0 0 0 56 

d. Fee-related reason: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 3 0 0 5 1 0 5 0 1 0 15 

e. Records not reasonably described: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 3 10 0 9 1 1 0 0 0 3 27 

f. Not a proper FOIA request for some other reason: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 1 7 1 3 11 0 0 0 0 0 23 

g. Not an agency record: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 0 0 0 9 7 2 1 3 0 0 1 0 23 

h. Duplicate request: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

4 0 1 1 4 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 1 16 

i. Other (Mail Rec’d via FOIA and handled outside the Act): 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

9 0 0 0 33 3 3 9 0 0 0 0 0 57 

 

VI. Appeals of Initial Denials of FOIA/PA Requests

A. Numbers of appeals. 

1. Number of appeals received during fiscal year: 29 

2. Number of appeals processed during fiscal year: 29 

5
B. Disposition of appeals. 

1. Number completely upheld: 5 

2. Number partially reversed: 7 

3. Number completely reversed: 7 

a. Number of times each FOIA exemption used: 

Exemption 1: 2 Exemption 2: 2 Exemption 3: 2 Exemption 4: 7 

Exemption 5: 5 Exemption 6: 1 Exemption 7: 2 Exemption 8: 0 

Exemption 9: 0 

4. Other reasons for nondisclosure: 

 

a. No records: 3 

b. Referrals: 0 

c. Request withdrawn: 7 

d. Fee-related reason: 0 

e. Records not reasonably described: 0 

f. Not a proper FOIA request for some other reason: 0 

g. Not an agency record: 0 

h. Duplicate request: 0 

i. Other (specify): 0 

VII. Compliance with Time Limits/Status of Pending Requests 

A. Median processing time for requests processed during the year. 

1. Simple requests: 

a. Number of requests processed: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

45 16 16 17 121 61 57 88 9 141 5 19 36 631 

b. Median number of days to process: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

36 19 6.5 28 21 7 5 7 42 11 16 21 39 21 

2. Complex requests: 

a. Number of requests processed: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

12 0 36 131 192 0 171 73 36 31 1 0 0 683 

b. Median number of days to process: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

58 0 16.5 24 34.5 0 12 33 184 38 180 0 0 38 

3. Expedited requests: 

a. Number of requests processed: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 1 0 4 0 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 12 

b. Median number of days to process: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

0 29 0 36.5 0 0 90 0 94 0 0 0 0 36.5 

6
B. Status of pending requests. 

1. Number of requests pending as of end of current fiscal year: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

58 2 1 41 138 11 11 4 59 0 1 0 5 331 

2. Median number of days that such requests were pending as of that date: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

101 77.5 3 87 127 46.5 120 78 270 0 32 0 7 87 

VIII. Comparisons with Previous Year: (optional)

A. Comparison of numbers of requests received: FY06: 1238 FY07: 1416 

B. Comparison of numbers of requests processed: FY06: 1132 FY07: 1326 

C. Comparison of requests were pending as of end of FY: FY06: 241 FY07: 331 

D. Other statistics significant to agency: 

E. Other narrative statements describing agency efforts to improve timeliness of FOIA performance and 

to make records available to the public (e.g., backlog-reduction efforts; specification of average 

number of hours per processed request; training activities; public availability of new categories of 

records): 

In an effort to decrease the number of requests, processing time, and costs associated with processing 

requests, NASA FOIA offices are referring requesters to information which is available electronically 

from our agency’s web site or web sites of other agencies which may have responsive documents 

provided for the public in this similar manner. 

IX. Costs/FOIA Staffing 

A. Staffing levels. 

1. Number of full-time FOIA personnel: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

1 1 1 1 4 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 16 

2. Number of personnel with part-time or occasional FOIA duties (in work-years): 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

1.4 .1 .15 1.2 .4 .15 .25 .13 2.35 .02 .1 .15 .25 7.45 

3. Total number of personnel (in work-years): 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

2.4 1.1 1.15 2.2 4.4 1.15 1.25 2.13 3.35 1.02 1.1 1.15 .25 23.45 

B. Total costs (including staff and all resources). 

 

1. FOIA processing (including appeals): 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG 

$115,640 $52,464 $84,091 $240,244 $425,417 $95,707 $100,650 $157,649 $361,597 $117,115 $72,562 $81,041 $26,479 

7
2. Litigation-related activities: $108,312 

3. Total costs: $2,038,968 

4. Comparison with previous year: $1,473,386 (+ 38%) 

5. Statement of additional resources needed for FOIA compliance: (optional) 

X. Fees 

A. Total amount of fees collected by agency for processing requests: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

$1,394 $45 $1,341 $2,996 $0 $14,880 $2,013 $5,403 $276 $1,154 $0 $42 $0 $29,544 

B. Percentage of total costs: 

ARC DFRC GRC GSFC HQ JPL JSC KSC LaRC MSFC NSSC SSC OIG NASA 

1% 1% 2% 1% 0% 16% 2% 3% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 

XI. FOIA Regulations (Including Fee Schedule) 

 

This report is available on our NASA FOIA web site at: www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/FOIA

XII. Guidance/Template

A. Description of supplemental/modification of agency improvement plan: 

Modification 2 (Dated: August 21, 2007) 

In accordance with Executive Order 13392, “Improving Agency Disclosure of Information,” the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have updated its original FOIA Improvement Plan, dated 

June 13, 2006. 

Change to read – 

1) Name: FOIA Database

2) Brief statement of goal sought: Replace current FileMaker Pro database with an 

established commercial-based system which will allow the public to access and track the 

current status of its FOIA request. 

3) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: Interview vendors and evaluate their FOIA 

database systems for procurement. 

4) Time milestones: Initial milestone - No later than December 31, 2007, for the review and 

decision of which commercial package to procure; have the new system up and 

operational no later than September 30, 2008, for implementation for FY09. 

5) Means of measurement of success: Procuring the commercial program and having it 

available for testing and use during FY08. 

Justification – 

This agency’s FOIA office established an adhoc group to evaluate commercial FOIA database products. 

During the past fiscal year this group completed this review process, and recommended to continue with 

the procurement process. This recommendation would replace our agency current FOIA database with one 

that would allow web access to the public. However, during the evaluation process it was noted the need 

to conduct a testing phase of this commercial purchased software to ensure operability within our 13 

decentralizes FOIA Requester Service Centers and our supporting Information Technology office. Also 

our goal date of September 30, 2007 was found to be unrealistic under our current budgetary restrains and 

has been pushed to be funded during our FY08 budget cycle. 

8
B. Report on agency implementation of its plan, including its performance in meeting milestones, with respect to 

each improvement area:

Customer Service: 

This agency has made tremendous strides in the areas that were seen as potential problems in our FOIA 

processing and customer service. This included conducting Customer Service Awareness during our annual 

agency FOIA conference. We have focused on ensuring our decentralized process and improving our customer 

relations at each center location. 

FOIA Database: 

Our agency completed its review of the ‘commercial off the shelve’ (COTS) FOIA database products. 

This included meeting with representative of those various companies and viewing their product 

demonstrations. It continued with site visits to those organizations which currently have procured 

these various products to ascertain their evaluation of these COTS currently in the field. After 

conducting this evaluation phase, discussions between the Principal Agency FOIA Officer, Chief 

FOIA Officer and the Office of the Chief Information Officer to obtain funding and procure a COTS 

solution for replacing our current FOIA database, with a web based version. 

Backlog Reduction: 

Headquarters FOIA Requester Service Center has been able to add a permanent hire in its office and 

the Langley Research Center has temporarily taken some additional duties from its FOIA Public 

Liaison Officer to focus more on its center backlog issues. 

During this rating period NASA agreed in a settlement litigation to review over 200 cubic feet of 

records currently stored at National Archive and Records Administration’s Washington Federal 

Records Center; to prevent additional backlog issues we’ve set up a task force made up of three (3) 

center FOIA Public Liaison Officers with no backlog issues to conduct this review. 

C. Identification and discussion of any deficiency in meeting plan milestones: (if applicable)

Not Applicable 

D. Additional narrative statement regarding other executive order-related activities: (optional)

None. 

E. Concise descriptions of FOIA exemptions:

The exemptions authorize federal agencies to withhold information covering: (1) classified national 

defense and foreign relations information; (2) internal agency rules and practices; (3) information that 

is prohibited from disclosure by another federal law; (4) trade secrets and other confidential business 

information; (5) inter-agency or intra-agency communications that are protected by legal privileges; (6) 

information involving matters of personal privacy; (7) records or information compiled for law 

enforcement purposes, to the extent that the production of those records (A) could reasonably be 

expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, (B) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial 

or an impartial adjudication, (C) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of 

personal privacy, (D) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, (E) 

would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or 

would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or (F) could reasonably 

be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual; (8) information relating to the 

9
supervision of financial institutions; and (9) geological information on wells. The three exclusions, 

which are rarely used, pertain to especially sensitive law enforcement and national security matters. 

F. Additional Statistics:

1. Ten Oldest Pending FOIA Requests:

Calendar 

Year 

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Requests Oct 22 

Nov 2 

Nov 5 

Jan 31 

Mar 1 

Mar 15 

Apr 4 

Apr 11 

May 27 

Jun 21 

2. Consultations: 

(*) - Our current FOIA tracking system is not able to compute the number of consultations received, 

processed or pending; nor are we able to compute the ten oldest pending consultations received from 

other agencies. We are implementing plans to collect these statistics future annual reports. 

A. Number of Consultations Received, Processed and Pending: 

Consultations received 

from other agencies 

during FY07 

Consultations received from other 

agencies that were processed by 

your agency during FY07 

(including those received prior to 

FY07) 

Consultations received from 

other agencies that were 

pending at your agency as of 

October 1, 2007 (including 

those received prior to FY07) 

* * * 

B. Ten Oldest Pending Consultations Received From Other Agencies: 

Calendar 

Year 

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Consults 

Recieved 

* * * * * * * * * 

G. Attachment: Agency Improvement Plan 

FOIA IMPROVEMENT PLAN – 

A. Characterize overall nature of agency’s FOIA operations: 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) maintains a decentralized FOIA 

process, in which we operate and staff 13 FOIA Requester Service Centers at each of our NASA 

Centers or components. This approach enables NASA to reduce our FOIA request processing 

time and provide a quicker response to the public requesters. 

B. List all areas selected for review: 

(1) The initial FOIA request process was reviewed against our published regulations set forth at 

14 CFR Part 1206. 

(2) The current backlog status at each of our decentralized FOIA offices. 

(3) The number of requests received during the past three years. 

(4) Our agency’s FOIA processes and practices used at each of our decentralized FOIA 

processing locations. 

10
(5) FOIA staffing at each location. 

(6) FOIA request volume by Center offices. 

(7) Our current public Web sites. 

C. Include narrative statement summarizing results of review: 

The results of our agency’s FOIA review revealed that we have satisfied the requirements of Title 

5 USC §552, but we have noted, that some of our Center FOIA Requester Service Centers 

maintain a small backlog of cases. Further, during FY03 – FY04, we actually improved on our 

median dates, even though the public FOIA requests increased significantly after the Columbia 

Space Shuttle tragedy and other NASA public events. NASA’s response to FOIA requests after 

the Columbia accident was particularly noteworthy. Following the accident, we established an 

internal process to ensure responsive records were provided and technical and legal review were 

conducted; this, coupled with immediately providing these documents in our electronic reading 

room, allowed the media and public in days rather than months. 

One of the lessons learned following for the Columbia accident provided NASA an opportunity to 

recognize that NASA needed to improve our FOIA process. As we endeavor to improve our 

disclosure of information to the public, we are developing this quick-response approach for our 

future FOIA processing. Also, our internal review showed the need to improve our computer 

hardware and software, such as: 

• Procuring redaction software – to allow a quicker, more efficient means of redacting agency 

records. 

• Individual desk scanners – to quicken the process to redact electronically and the ability to 

download document into our electronic reading room immediately upon completion of our 

initial release determination. 

We also learned from our review that, out of our 13 FOIA Requester Service Centers, we had 

serious single-point failures at six locations. Not having an effective Center personnel back-up at 

those locations could create a serious backlog. 

Finally, we discovered an important need to team build internally with our search teams within the 

program offices and our initial legal reviews by our legal offices. Their help and assistance are 

vital in reducing the backlog and response time to finalize the initial release determinations. 

D. List all areas chosen as improvement areas for agency: 

• FOIA Staffing 

• Equipment / Logistics 

• Web Site Improvements 

• Agency Reference Handbook 

• FOIA Database 

• FOIA Training 

• Communications 

• Backlog Reduction 

E. For each improvement area provide: 

FOIA Staffing

1) Brief statement of goal sought: This improvement is based on several factors: 

a) Eliminating single point failures at our NASA Centers. 

b) Ensure that all FOIA positions are primary jobs. 

c) Seek adequate administrative support for higher volume Center offices. 

d) Standardize staff personnel practices concerning series and grades. 

11
2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: 

a) During the next several months, the agency’s chief FOIA officer and chief FOIA public 

liaison officer will coordinate with the senior management at each NASA Center to 

ensure the identification of suitable employees that can be properly trained to serve as 

backups to our Centers’ FOIA specialists. 

b) During the above discussions at each Center, emphasis will be center around the 

importance of the assigned FOIA specialist’s primary duties and functions. Any other 

duties must be secondary and must not hinder the FOIA process. 

c) Seek an administrative support specialist to assist the Headquarters office in the daily 

processing of FOIA requests. 

d) Discuss human resources at the agency level to standardized position description for 

agency FOIA personnel, including the development of a GS-7/9/11 information release 

specialist and a GS-12/13 senior information release specialist, in a standardized series. 

3) Time milestones: These actions are expected to be completed in FY07. We will conduct an 

evaluation quarterly between now and FY08 on our improvement in this area. 

4) Means of measurement of success: Overall success in this area will be based solely on the 

elimination of all single point failures at each of our 13 FOIA Requester Service Center 

locations and standardizing grades and series of our assigned FOIA staff, as stated above. We 

expect to achieve success once we have eliminated FOIA as a secondary function to other 

duties assigned. 

Equipment/Logistics

1) Brief statement of goal sought: Redaction software should be procured for each Center FOIA 

Requester Service Center and dedicated scanning support/equipment should be acquired for 

each Center office. 

2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: Each Center FOIA public liaison officer will 

budget for these items with either year-end funds (if available) or as part of the FY07 budget. 

3) Time milestones: First milestone will be September 30, 2006, to ascertain which of our 13 

FOIA Requester Service Centers have received both hardware and software. Second and 

Final Milestone will be first Quarter, FY07, in which all FOIA processing offices should have 

received both items. 

4) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent of the FOIA Requester Service Centers have 

both desktop scanners and redaction software for implementation. 

Web Site Improvements

1) Brief statement of goal sought: Redeveloping NASA’s FOIA Web page to enhance the 

public’s knowledge of our FOIA process. Redesign all subordinate FOIA web pages to 

incorporate the ‘portal’ design. Finally, consolidate the NASA Electronic Reading Room 

from 13 sites into one. 

2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: Work with NASA Internet Services to 

development and design of the ‘portal’ look and feel among all subordinate FOIA sites. 

3) Time milestones: Initial milestone is projected to be no later than 90 days from the end of 

FY06 to meet the expected completion date of September 30, 2006. 

4) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent of the NASA Center Web pages updated with 

current information and having the ‘portal’ look and feel. 

Agency FOIA Reference Handbook

1) Brief statement of goal sought: It has been over two years since the last update to our 

agency’s FOIA Reference Handbook. The goal is to revise and update all agency information 

pertaining to its FOIA process including any changes or update directly related to Executive 

Order (EO) 13392. Download this handbook directly to our FOIA Web page. 

2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: During the revision process, an ad hoc group of 

agency FOIA staff will conduct a page by page review, updating all changes since the last 

revision, deleting outdated information, and adding the newly adapted changes in accordance 

with EO 13392. 

3) Time milestones: No later than September 30, 2006. 

12
4) Means of measurement of success: Updated, printed, and posted onto our agency’s FOIA 

Web page. 

FOIA Database

1) Brief statement of goal sought: Replace current FileMaker Pro database with an established 

commercial-based system which will allow the public to access and track the current status of 

its FOIA request. 

2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: Interview vendors and evaluate their FOIA 

database systems for procurement. 

3) Time milestones: Initial milestone - No later than September 30, 2006, for the review and 

decision of which commercial package to procure; have the new system up and operational no 

later than September 30, 2007, for implementation for FY08. 

4) Means of measurement of success: Procuring the commercial program and having it available 

for use by FY08. 

FOIA Training

1) Brief statement of goal sought: Implement an annual mandatory FOIA training program to be 

held in conjunction with the annual NASA FOIA Conference for all assigned FOIA 

information release specialists and their designated backups. 

2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: Budget travel and training dollars at each of our 

Centers dedicated for annual FOIA training at American Society of Access Professionals 

Annual Western Regional FOIA Training Conference and an annual agency FOIA 

Conference. 

3) Time milestones: Annually during the budget process. 

4) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent participation. 

Communications

1) Brief statement of goal sought: Establish a toll free phone number for use by the public to 

contact the agency’s FOIA Requester Service Center. 

2) List of all distinct steps planned to be taken: Coordinate with the agency communications 

team to establish a toll free line and install in the agency’s FOIA Requester Service Center. 

Post this information on NASA FOIA’s Web page for public dissemination. 

3) Time milestones: No later than June 14, 2006. 

4) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent operational by the above date. 

Backlog Reduction 

1) Brief Statement of goal sought: To reduce the existing backlog of pending FOIA requests by 

a substantial number each year, by periodically and consistently focusing on the existing 

backlog. We will identify the agency five (5) oldest FOIA requests at the beginning of each 

FY quarter and close those by the end of that FY quarter. 

2) List all distinct steps planned to be taken: 

a) On a quarterly basis, during our scheduled FOIA video teleconference (Vits), each NASA 

FOIA Requester Service Center will report out on their oldest FOIA requests, which will 

vary based on the volume of the FOIA Requester Service Center. 

b) A list of the agency’s five (5) oldest FOIA requests will be created. 

1. This listing will provide the date of the request, date received, request’s contact 

information, summary of the request, the current status, and any additional 

information concerning the process delay. 

c) Develop an action plan for each individual FOIA request. 

1. The Chief FOIA Public Liaison Officer will personally review each identified FOIA 

request, and will; 

a. Annotate specific instructions to complete any pending actions. 

b. Elevate the focus to the agency and or center senior management concerning 

compliance with the FOIA to eliminate any bottlenecks in the processing flow. 

c. Distribute cases amongst the lower volume processing FOIA Requester Service 

Centers to make initial release determinations. 

13
d. Require an immediate legal review of any initial determinations pending release. 

2. Based on these recommendations each identified NASA FOIA Requester Service 

Centers will be directed to: 

a. Implement the actions directed by the Chief Public Liaison Officer. 

b. If directed, electronically distribute requests for processing to its regional 

partners to conduct an initial determination of responsive agency records to 

pending FOIA requests to reduce its backlog. 

d) Divide the 13 decentralized FOIA offices into three (3) regional areas which can provide 

additional assistance in processing FOIA requests. 

1. East Region – Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Glenn Research Center (GRC), 

Headquarters (HQ), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Langley Research 

Center (LaRC). 

2. South Region – Johnson Space Center (JSC), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC), and 

Stennis Space Center (SSC). 

3. West Region – Ames Research Center (ARC), Dryden Space Flight Center (DFRC) 

and NASA Management Office-Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NMO-JPL). 

3) Time milestones: Identification of the five (5) oldest FOIA requests is to be conducted 

quarterly. Those identified will be evaluated and a timetable set for each individual FOIA 

request to be completed within FY Quarter. These actions are to be initiated First Quarter, 

FY07, and will continue quarterly till FY09. 

F. For the entire plan, group the improvement areas into the following time periods: 

1) Areas anticipated to be completed by December 31, 2006: 

Equipment/Logistics 

Agency FOIA Handbook 

FOIA Training 

Communications 

2) Areas anticipated to be completed by December 31, 2007: 

FOIA Staffing 

3) Areas anticipated to be completed after December 31, 2007: 

FOIA Database 

Backlog Reduction 

14
NASA FOIA Requester Service Center Addresses: 

NASA, FOIA Requester Service Center, Attention: Chief, FOIA Public Liaison Officer, 

Mail Stop 9P39, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546 

NASA Ames Research Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Mail Stop 943-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035 

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Post Office Box 273, M/S 4839, 

Edwards, CA 93523 

NASA Glenn Research Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 

44135 

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 

NASA Headquarters, FOIA Requester Service Center, Mail Stop 5-K39, 300 E Street, SW, Washington, 

DC 20546 

NASA Office of the Inspector General, FOIA Requester Service Center, Mail Stop 8-V79, 300 E Street, 

SW, Washington, DC 20546 

NASA Management Office – Jet Propulsion Laboratory, FOIA Requester Service Center, 4800 Oak Grove 

Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 

NASA Johnson Space Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Houston, TX 77058 

NASA Kennedy Space Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 

NASA Langley Research Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Hampton, VA 23681 

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 

NASA Stennis Space Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 

NASA Shared Services Center, FOIA Requester Service Center, Bldg 5100, Stennis Space Center, MS 

39529 

15
NASA FOIA Public Liaison Officers and Service Center Contact Numbers: 

NASA 

Stephen McConnell, Chief, FOIA Public Liaison Officer

Judi Hollingsworth, Deputy Chief, FOIA Public Liaison Officer

(877) NAS-FOIA / (202) 358-FOIA 

 

Ames Research Center 

Kelly Garcia 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(650) 604-3273 

Glenn Research Center 

Angela Pierce 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(216) 433-2813 

NASA Headquarters 

Kellie Robinson 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(202) 358-2265 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

Dennis Mahon 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(818) 393-6779 

Kennedy Space Center 

Penny Myers 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(321) 867-9280 

Marshall Space Flight Center 

Judi Hollingsworth 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(256) 544-1837 

NASA Shared Services Center 

Koby South 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(228) 813-6012 

Dryden Space Flight Center 

Kim Lewis 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(661) 276-2704 

Goddard Space Flight Center

Joan Belt 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(301) 286-4721 

Office of the Inspector General 

Frank LaRocca 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(202) 358-2582 

Johnson Space Center 

Stella Luna 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(281) 483-8612 

Langley Research Center 

Cheryl Cleghorn 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(757) 864-2497 

Stennis Space Center 

Joy Smith 

FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

(228) 688-2118 

 

 

 

16