National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Freedom of Information Act Annual Report (FY06) 

I. Basic Information Regarding Report 

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

Stephen McConnell, Chief FOIA Liaison Officer

Judi Hollingsworth, Deputy Chief FOIA Liaison Officer 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

300 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20546

877.627. FOIA (3642)

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

 

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/FOIA/FY_2006_report.pdf 

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

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

Freedom of Information Act Office 

300 E Street, SW, 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 Ames Research Center (ARC) 

Kelly Garcia, ARC FOIA Public Liaison Officer

Mail Stop 943-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035

916.604.3273 

foia@arc.nasa.gov 

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC)

Kim Lewis, DFRC FOIA Public Liaison Officer

PO Box 273, MS 4839, Edwards, CA 93523

661.276.2704 

foia@dfrc.nasa.gov 

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) 

Angela Pierce, GRC FOIA Public Liaison Officer

21000 Brookpark Road, MS 500-313, Cleveland, OH 44135

216.433.2813 

foia@grc.nasa.gov 

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) 

Joan Belt, GSFC FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

Mail Code 130, Greenbelt, MD 20771 

301.286.4721 

foia@gsfc.nasa.gov 

1
NASA Headquarters (HQ)

Kellie Robinson, HQ FOIA Public Liaison Officer

300 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20546-0001

202.358.2265 

foia@hq.nasa.gov 

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) 

Dennis Mahon, JPL FOIA Public Liaison Officer

NMO NASA FOIA Officer, Pasadena, CA 91109

818.393.6779 

foia@nmo.jpl.nasa.gov 

NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) 

Stella Luna, JSC FOIA Public Liaison Officer

Mail Code AP121, Houston, TX 77058

281.483.8612 

foia@jsc.nasa.gov 

NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 

Penny Myers, KSC FOIA Public Liaison Officer

Mail Code XA-A1, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 

321.867.9280 

foia@ksc.nasa.gov 

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) 

Cheryl Cleghorn, LaRC FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

Mail Stop 154, Hampton, VA 23681

757.864.2497 

foia@larc.nasa.gov 

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 

Judi Hollingsworth, MSFC FOIA Public Liaison Officer

Mail Code 943-4, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 

256.544.1837 

foia@msfc.nasa.gov 

NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) 

Koby South, NSSC FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

Bldg 5100, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000 

228.813.6011 

nssc@nasa.gov 

NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) 

Joy Smith, SSC FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

Mail Code CA100, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000 

228.688.2118 

foia@ssc.nasa.gov 

NASA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) 

Frank LaRocca, IG FOIA Public Liaison Officer

300 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20546-0001

202.358.2237 

foia@oig.nasa.gov 

 

2
Brief description of the agency's response-time ranges (in working days): 

I. Expedited: 9 

2. Simple: 15 

3. Complex: 62 

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

• Mainly because of information within the responsive agency records contains 'export control', 'IT AR' 

and/or 'proprietary' exemptible material, as a majority of our FOIA requests focus on procurement 

contracts. Also, as with previous years initial FOIA requests were denied for other reasons; such as 'no 

records' or referred to another agency, withdrawn by the requester, or as a duplicate request. 

III. Definitions of Terms and Acronyms Used in the Report 

A. Agency-specific acronyms or other terms. 

I. NASA- National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

2. ARC- Ames Research Center 

3. DFRC- Dryden Flight Research Center 

4. GRC - Glenn Research Center 

5. GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center 

6. HQ- Headquarters 

7. JPL-Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

8. JSC-Johnson Space Center 

9. KSC - Kennedy Space Center 

10. LaRC- Langley Research Center 

II. MSFC - Marshall Space Flight Center 

12. NMO- NASA Management Office 

13. NSSC -NASA Shared Service Center 

14. SSC - Stennis Space Center 

15. OIG- Office of the Inspector General 

16. OGC - Office of the General Counsel 

17. E-FOIA- Electronic Freedom of Information Act 

18. PLO- FOIA Public Liaison Officer 

19. RSC - Requester Service Center 

3 
B. Basic terms, expressed in common terminology. 

1. 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 oneself; 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.) 

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

Act. 

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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). 

6. 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.

7. Simple request – A FOIA request that an agency using multi-track processing places in its fastest 

(non-expedited) track based on the volume and/or simplicity of records requested. 

8. 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. 

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

10. 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. 

11. 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). 

12. 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). 

13. "Perfected" request – A FOIA request for records which 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. 

14. 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). 

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

is 7. 

4
16. Average number - The number obtained by dividing the sum of a group of numbers by the quantity 

of numbers in the group. For example, of3, 7, and 14, the average number is 8. 

IV. Exemption 3 Statutes 

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

I. Brief description of type(s) of information withheld under each statute. 

a. 5 USC 638G)(2): Contracts withheld data generated by contractors who elected to retain their 

data rights in accordance with the retention period agreed to under the contract. 

b. 10 USC 2305(g): Procurement, unsuccessful proposals for competitive procurements and those 

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

c. 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. 

d. 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. 

2. Statement of whether a court has upheld the use of each statute. If so, then cite example. 

a. None cited. c. None cited. 

b. None cited. d. None cited. 

V. Initial FOIAIP A Access Requests 

A. Numbers of initial requests. 

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

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

Total 

4 2 2 9 62 18 0 4 25 4 0 0. 5 135 

2. Number of requests received during current fiscal year: 

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

Total 

81 24 45 135 331 82 163 97 65 154 2 28 31 1238 

3. Number of requests processed during current fiscal year: 

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

Total 

78 26 44 131 259 90 163 90 34 158 2 26 31 1132 

5 
4. Number of requests pending as of end of current fiscal year: 

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

Total 

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

B. Disposition of initial requests. 

I. Number of tolal grants: 

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

Total 

24 9 12 47 80 20 87 24 10 57 2 13 2 387 

2. Number of partial grants: 

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

Total 

30 13 20 47 29 29 44 22 10 65 0 5 20 334 

3. Number of denials: 

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

Total 

6 0 2 3 10 7 7 5 0 8 0 0 2 50 

a. Number of times each FOIA exemption used. 

Exemption I I 

Exemption 2 64 

Exemption 3 56 

Exemption 4 249 

Exemption 5 65 

Exemption 6 52 

Exemption 7 (a) 7 

Exemption 7 (b) 0 

Exemption 7 (c) 16 

Exemption 7 (d) 4 

Exemption 7 (e) 3 

Exemption 7 (f) 3 

Exemption 8 0 

Exemption 9 0 

4. Other reasons for nondisclosure: 

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

Total 

18 4 10 34 140 34 25 39 14 28 0 8 7 361 

a.) No records: 

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

Total 

4 2 2 10 23 14 15 10 5 10 0 I 2 98 

b.) Referrals: 

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

Total 

6 I 3 9 76 3 4 13 2 7 0 2 2 128 

6 
c.) Request withdrawn:

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

Total 

0 0 3 12 1 8 2 4 6 3 0 3 1 43 

d.) Fee related reason:

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

Total 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 

e.) Records not reasonably described: 

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

Total 

0 0 0 0 21 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 24 

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

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

Total 

0 0 0 0 10 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 1 18 

g.) Not an agency record: 

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

Total 

2 0 0 3 3 6 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 20 

h.) Duplicate: 

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

Total 

2 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 

i.) Other: 

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

Total 

4 0 2 0 3 3 1 4 1 0 0 1 1 20 

VI. Appeals of Initial Denials of FOIA/PA Requests

A. Number of Appeals: 

1. Number of appeals received during fiscal year: 14 

2. Number of appeals processed during fiscal year: 13 

B. Disposition of Appeals: 

1. Number completely upheld: 4 

2. Number partially reversed: 2 

3. Number completely reversed: 1

a. Number of times each FOIA exemption used. 

Exemption 1 0 

Exemption 2 0 

Exemption 3 0 

Exemption 4 0 

7
Exemption 5 3 

Exemption 6 2 

Exemption 7 (a) 0 

Exemption 7 (b) 0 

Exemption 7 (c) I 

Exemption 7 (d) 0 

Exemption 7 (e) I 

Exemption 7 (f) I 

Exemption 8 0 

Exemption 9 0 

C. Other reasons for nondisclosure: 

I. No records: 3 

2. Referrals: I 

3. Request withdrawn: 2 

4. Fee related reason: 0 

5. Records not reasonably described: 0 

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

7. Not an agency record: 0 

8. Duplicate request: 0 

9. Other (specify): 0 

10. Total: 0 

VII. Compliance with Time Llmlts/Statns of Pending Requests 

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

I. Simple requests: 

a. Number of requests processed: 

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

Total 

72 23 7 18 118 69 162 39 10 130 2 20 31 701 

b. Median number of days to process: 

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

31 11 5 19 31 16 5 5 130 12 140 57 30 

2. Complex requests: 

a. Number of requests processed: 

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

Total 

5 2 37 112 138 20 0 50 24 28 0 6 0 422 

b. Median number of days to process: 

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

58 43 19 25 41 91 0 21 82 45 0 7 0 

8 
3. Requests accorded expedited processing: 

a. Number of requests process: 

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

Total 

1 1 0 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 

b. Median number of days to process:

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

60 1 0 1 6 47 8 1 0 0 0 0 0

B. Status of pending requests. 

1. Number of requests pending as of FY06:

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

Total 

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

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

48 0 0 65 121 33 0 33 142 50 0 51 44

VIII. Comparisons with Previous Year(s) (Optional)

A. Comparison of numbers of requests received: 

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

Total 

FY05 59 30 31 133 336 56 207 90 59 161 0 32 35 1229 

FY06 81 24 45 135 331 82 163 97 65 154 2 28 31 1238 

B. Comparison of numbers of requests processed:

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

Total 

FY05 62 38 32 180 378 43 209 101 72 165 0 33 38 1351 

FY06 78 26 44 131 259 90 163 90 34 158 2 26 31 1132 

 

C. Comparison of median numbers of days requests were pending as of end of fiscal year: Our median 

numbers vary from center to center under our decentralized FOIA processes. 

D. Other statistics significant to agency: None noted. 

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) : 

• This year NASA focused on FOIA professional development training. We sent 27 agency

participants to the American Society of Access Professional’s (ASAP) Western Regional FOIA

Training Conference, February 26-March 1, 2006, in San Jose, CA. This by far was our 

agency’s largest presence at any formal training program. NASA was the 3rd largest contingent

in attendance; just behind the Department of Interior (45) and the United States Air Force (28). 

ASAP provided an agency specific breakout training session for four (4) government agencies; 

NASA was one of those. This allowed our attendees to meet as a group and discuss agency

specific topics and issues dealing with our internal FOIA process. 

9
• Upon the conclusion of the above FOIA training, NASA held its annual FOIA meeting to

specifically discuss internal customer oriented improvements. Those mainly dealing with

establishment of our FOIA Requester Service Centers and the duties of those appointed FOIA

Public Liaison Officers. 

• During this fiscal year NASA eliminated its single point failures at their FOIA Requester 

Service Centers. Each NASA center specifically provided an alternate to process their center’s 

FOIA requests upon the prolonged absence of the primary FOIA Information Release Specialist 

thus eliminating the single most critical failure within those center offices. This improvement 

has come with an increased FOIA processing cost as seen below (Section IX.B.4.c). Our total 

cost has increased by 31% by adding a backup FOIA staff member at each center. 

 

• The FOIA lead conducted technical assistance visits to each of the decentralized FOIA offices 

to review their processing procedures, and to standardize the FOIA process across the agency, 

which will increase of interoperability between the NASA centers. 

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 

Total 

1 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 15 

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

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

Total 

.30 .15 .20 1.13 1.4 .15 .25 .30 2 .10 .10 .25 1 7.33 

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

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

Total 

1.3 1.15 1.2 2.13 4.4 1.15 1.25 2.3 3 1.1 1.1 1.25 1 22.33 

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 NASA Total 

90,537 41,889 94,067 178,590 341,548 91,006 98,150 150,277 116,990 80,957 72,537 78,750 38,088 1,473,386 

2. Litigation related activities (estimated): $13,403

3. Total Cost: $1,486,789

4. Comparison with previous year(s): 

a. FY05: $1,128,410

b. FY06: $1,486,789

c. Difference (%) from previous year: 31% 

 

10
C. Statement of additional resources needed for FOIA compliance:

• In accordance with Executive Order 13392, this agency is currently reviewing its current 

process, policies and procedures to evaluate the need for any additional resources (logistics, 

personnel, etc.) to improve upon our agency’s compliance under the FOIA. 

X. Fees 

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

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

Total 

$460 $449 $674 $1,654 $2,943 0 $2,964 $3,422 $385 $3,732 0 $293 0 $16,976 

2. Percentage of total costs: 1.14% 

 

XI. FOIA Regulations 

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter V – National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Availability 

of Agency Records to Members of the Public, Part 1206. 

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/FOIA/fedregix.html

XII. Report on FOIA Executive Order Implementation 

A. Description of supplementation/modification of agency improvement plan. 

• Modification to our NASA’s initial FOIA Improvement Plan was submitted on September 15,

2006, to both the Department of Justice and the Office of Management and Budget, in

accordance with Executive Order 13392. Our updated plan addressed focusing on backlog

reductions within the agency. 

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

respect to each improvement area.

• Under our current FOIA Improvement Plan we identified eight (8) areas to specifically improve 

upon; FOIA Staffing, Equipment/Logistics, Web Site Improvements, Agency FOIA Public

Reference Guide/Handbook, FOIA Database, FOIA Training, Communications and Backlog 

Reduction. 

1. FOIA Staffing – Our agency was proactive in resolving all single point failures due to the 

lack of a backup FOIA staff member at each of our center locations. Currently, each of 

our 13 FOIA Requester Service Centers now has eliminated this critical staffing

deficiency. All current FOIA Public Liaison Officers are assigned to their FOIA duties 

as a primary function; but lower volume centers have assigned these staff additional 

duties to supplement their FOIA duties. We addressed the need for an Administrative 

Specialist to support the Headquarters FOIA Requester Service Center; a person has been

identified and is currently working FOIA as an additional duty. Further discussion is 

being conducted to seek conversion of this staff member into a FOIA Administrative 

Specialist. Initial discussion with Human Resources has been made to address 

standardization of FOIA staffing positions agency wide; this area will continue to need

additional senior management support as we strive to meet our timeline milestone of

FY08. 

2. Equipment/Logistics – Each of our individual FOIA Requester Service Center has 

acquired desktop scanners and procured Appligent Redax® FOIA redaction software to

assist with the electronic processing of its FOIA requests. We consider this milestone a 

complete success item.

11
3. Web Site Improvement – NASA’s Public Affairs function directed that all FOIA web

pages be redeveloped and redesigned to be brought into the NASA ‘portal’ look. 

Currently, nine (9) FOIA web sites have been converted into the ‘portal’ style; and the 

remaining four (4) have work requests in with their center Information Technology

offices to rework their sites. Due to interconnectivity problem internal to our storage 

system we have revised our agency FOIA web page to include links to all of our 

independent electronic reading room. We are continuing to address achieving total

consolidation into one electronic reading room. We feel that this improvement meets our 

original improvement plan to provide the public a ‘one stop shop’ to seek previously 

posted agency documents which have already been released under the FOIA. 

4. Agency FOIA Public Reference Guide/Handbook – An updated version of our NASA

FOIA Reference Handbook has been posted onto our agency’s FOIA web page. Also, in

response to feedback from our center FOIA Public Liaison Officers, a Frequently Asked 

Question Guide was drafted and posted directly under our posted FOIA Public Reference 

Guide. This internal feedback will provide the public improved accessibility to our 

agency FOIA program.

5. FOIA Database – We anticipate completing the FOIA Database after December 31, 2007. 

However, action has been initiated to begin evaluations of current-off-the shelve database 

software which has been developed specifically for FOIA. Our Information Technology

office has provided subject matter expert to assist in our review of these products. Also, 

we have set-up vendor demonstrations at our upcoming FOIA Training conference, in

March 2007. We will use this as a user evaluation to provide feedback on the 

demonstrations provided. 

6. FOIA Training – Coordination was conducted with the individual NASA center Public

Affairs Directors to ensure that FOIA training was included in their travel/training

budgets. We currently have the support of each of those directors to send the primary 

and FOIA backups to annual FOIA training. We have projected and confirmed 100% 

participation from all 13 FOIA Requester Service Centers; therefore we have met our

milestone for this action item for FY07. This will be an annual review to ensure that each

center maintains its professional development training in this specialized program area. 

7. Communications – On June 14, 2006, NASA was able to provide a toll free telephone 

number to the public for FOIA inquiries. This contact number was posted onto our 

NASA FOIA web page. This has completed this action item.

8. Backlog Reduction – This action item was added to our agency’s initial FOIA 

Improvement Plan as a modification, on September 15, 2006. As a modification, we

specifically address means to reduce our agency FOIA backlog. We have identified two 

FOIA Requester Service Centers with an inordinate amount of backlogged requests;

Headquarters and Langley Research Center. Headquarters has begun farming out

requests pending an initial release determination to other NASA FOIA Requester Service 

Centers, and is beginning to show some relief. Prior to initiating this process 

Headquarters’ backlog of FOIA requests was in the triple digits and now is dipping below 

that mark into the double digits. Langley Research Center’s FOIA Requester Service 

Center has provided another full-time center staff member and hired a part-time 

contractor to assist with the day-to-day FOIA processing. This also has created a more 

reasonable backlog. Each center’s backlog numbers are analyzed monthly by the agency

Chief FOIA Officer, and a action plan has been developed to close out those identified by

the end of the quarter. Also, the five (5) oldest FOIA requests have been personally

reviewed by the Chief FOIA Public Liaison Officer each quarter. The first quarter (1st

Qtr, FY07) has already been completed and those five (5) requests were closed out. 

During this reporting period (2nd Qtr, FY07) another five (5) requests have been

12
identified as the oldest and were reviewed by the Chief FOIA Liaison Officer for an 

action plan to be developed. Lastly, we established three (3) regional areas to provide 

assistance to each other. Those centers have been listed in our modified FOIA

Improvement Plan, and posted onto our agency FOIA web page. 

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

1. Coordinating with internal organizations in reformatting our center’s FOIA web pages 

has been delayed due to other higher priority mission related work orders. However, 

each of the four (4) center FOIA offices have work requests in to update their FOIA web 

page into the NASA ‘portal’ design.

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

None.

E. Concise description 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 

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. Time range of requests pending, by date of request (or, where applicable, by date of

referral from another agency): November 5, 2004 – January 29, 2007.

2. Time range of consultations pending with other agencies, by date of initial interagency 

communication: None.

G. Attachment: Agency improvement plan (in current form).

• NASA FOIA Regulation (14 CFR §1206); see Appendix 1

• NASA’s FOIA Improvement Plan is provided at an attachment; see Appendix A – C.

13
Appendix 1:

TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 

 

 CHAPTER V--NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

 

PART 1206 AVAILABILITY OF AGENCY RECORDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC 

Subpart 1 Basic Policy

1206.100 Scope of part. 

1206.101 Definitions. 

1206.102 General policy. 

Subpart 2 Records Available 

1206.200 Types of records to be made available. 

1206.201 Records which have been published. 

1206.202 Deletion of segregable portions of a record. 

1206.203 Creation of records.

1206.204 Records of interest to other agencies. 

1206.205 Incorporation by reference. 

1206.206 Availability for copying.

1206.207 Copies. 

1206.208 Release of exempt records. 

 Subpart 3 Exemptions 

1206.300 Exemptions. 

1206.301 Limitation of exemptions. 

Subpart 4 Locations for Inspection and Request of Agency Records 

1206.400 Information Centers.

1206.401 Location of NASA Information Centers. 

1206.402 Documents available for inspection at NASA Information Centers. 

1206.403 Duty hours. 

 Subpart 5 Responsibilities 

1206.500 Associate Deputy Administrator.

1206.501 General Counsel. 

1206.502 Centers and Components. 

1206.503 NASA Headquarters. 

1206.504 Inspector General. 

1206.505 Delegation of authority. 

Subpart 6 Procedures 

1206.600 Requests for records. 

1206.601 Mail, fax and e-mail requests. 

1206.602 Requests in person. 

1206.603 Procedures and time limits for initial determinations. 

1206.604 Request for records that exist elsewhere. 

1206.605 Appeals. 

14
1206.606 Request for additional records. 

1206.607 Actions on appeals. 

1206.608 Time extensions in unusual circumstances. 

1206.609 Litigation.

1206.610 Notice to submitters of commercial information.

Subpart 7 Search, Review, and Duplication Fees 

1206.700 Schedule of fees. 

1206.701 Categories of requesters. 

1206.702 Waiver or reduction of fees. 

1206.703 Aggregation of requests. 

1206.704 Advance payments. 

1206.705 Form of payment. 

1206.706 Nonpayment of fees. 

Subpart 8 Failure to Release Records to the Public 

1206.800 Failure to release records to the public. 

Subpart 9 Annual Report

1206.900 Requirements for annual report. 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, 552a; 42 U.S.C. 2473. 

 Source: 64 FR 39404, July 22, 1999, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart 1 Basic Policy

Sec. 1206.100 Scope of part. 

This Part 1206 establishes the policies, responsibilities, and procedures for the release of Agency records which are 

under the jurisdiction of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, hereinafter NASA, to members of the 

public. This part applies to information and Agency records located at NASA Headquarters, at NASA Centers, and 

at NASA Component, as defined in Part 1201 of this chapter. 

Sec. 1206.101 Definitions. 

For the purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply: 

(a) The term Agency records or records means any information that would be an Agency record subject to the 

requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) when maintained by NASA in any format, including an 

electronic format. Such information includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, or other documentary materials 

made or received by NASA in pursuance of Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public 

business and preserved by NASA as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, 

operations, or other activities or because of the informational value of data contained therein. It does not include 

tangible objects or articles, such as structures, furniture, paintings, sculptures, exhibits, models, vehicles or

equipment; library or museum material made or acquired and preserved solely for reference or exhibition purposes;

or records of another agency, a copy of which may be in NASA's possession. 

(b) The term initial determination means a decision by a NASA official, in response to a request by a member of the 

public for an Agency record, on whether the record described in the request can be identified and located after a 

reasonable search and, if so, whether the record (or portions thereof) will be made available under this part or will be

withheld from disclosure under Subpart 3 of this part. 

(c) The term appeal means a request by a member of the public, hereinafter requester, to the Administrator or

designee, or, in the case of records as specified in Sec. 1206.504, to the Inspector General or designee for reversal of

any adverse initial determination the requester has received in response to a request for an Agency record. 

15
(d) The term final determination means a decision by the Administrator or designee, or, in the case of records as

specified in Sec. 1206.504, by the Inspector General or designee on an appeal. 

(e) The term working days means all days except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. 

(f) As used in Sec. 1206.608, the term unusual circumstance means, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to 

the proper processing of a particular request for Agency records-- 

(1) The need to search for and collect the requested records from NASA Centers or other establishments that are 

separate from the NASA Information Center processing the request (see Subpart 6 of this part for procedures for 

processing a request for Agency records); 

(2) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records 

which are demanded in a single request; or

(3) The need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having a 

substantial interest in the determination of the request or among two or more components of NASA having

substantial subject-matter interest therein.

(g) A statute specifically providing for setting the level of fees for particular types of records (5 U.S.C.

552(a)(4)(A)(vi)) means any statute that specifically requires a government agency to set the level of fees for 

particular types of records in order to: 

 (1) Serve both the general public and private sector organizations by conveniently making available government

information;

(2) Ensure that both groups and individuals pay the cost of publications and other services that are for their special 

use so that these costs are not borne by the general taxpaying public; 

(3) Operate, to the maximum extent possible an information dissemination activity on a self-sustaining basis (to the 

maximum extent possible); or (4) Return revenue to the Treasury for defraying, wholly or in part, appropriated 

funds used to pay the cost of disseminating government information. 

(h) The term direct costs means those expenditures that NASA actually incurs in searching for, duplicating, and

downloading computer files and documents in response to a FOIA request. Direct costs include, for example, the 

salary of the employee who would ordinarily perform the work (the basic rate of pay for the employee plus 16

percent of that rate to cover benefits) and the cost of operating duplicating machinery. 

Direct costs do not include overhead expenses such as costs of space, heating, or lighting in the records storage 

facility. 

 (i) The term search includes all time spent looking for material that is responsive to a request, including page-bypage or line-by-line identification of material within documents. A search for Agency records that are responsive to 

the request may be accomplished by manual or automated means. NASA will make reasonable efforts to search for 

records in electronic form or format, except when such efforts would significantly interfere with the operation of 

NASA's automated information systems. NASA will ensure that searching for material is done in the most efficient, 

least expensive manner so as to minimize costs for both the Agency and the requester and will only utilize line-byline, page-by-page search when consistent with this policy. Search should be distinguished, however, from review of

material in order to determine whether the material is exempt from disclosure (see paragraph (k) of this section). 

(j) The term duplication means the process of making a copy of a document in order to respond to a FOIA request. 

Such copies can take the form of paper copy, electronic forms, microfilm, audio-visual materials, or machinereadable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape on disk), among others. 

(k) The term review means the process of examining documents located in response to a request (see paragraph (l) 

of this section) to determine whether any portion of any document located is permitted to be withheld. It also

includes processing any documents for disclosure,

e.g., doing all that is necessary to excise them and otherwise prepare them for release. Review does not include time

spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application of exemptions. 

(l) The term commercial use request means a request from or on behalf of one whom seeks information for a use or

purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of either the requester or the person on whose behalf

the request is made. In determining whether a requester properly belongs in this category, NASA will look first to

the use to which a requester will put the documents requested. When NASA has reasonable cause to doubt the use to

which a requester will put the records sought or when the use is not clear from the request itself, NASA will ask the 

requester to further clarify the immediate use for the requested records. A request from a corporation (not a news

media corporation) may be presumed to be for commercial use unless the requester demonstrates that it qualifies for 

a different fee category. 

(m) The term educational institution refers to a preschool, a public or private elementary or secondary school, an

institution of graduate higher education, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of

16
professional education, and an institution of vocational education, operating a program or programs of scholarly 

research. 

(n) The term noncommercial scientific institution refers to an institution that is not operated on a commercial basis 

as that term is referenced in paragraph (l) of this section, and which is operated solely for the purpose of conducting 

scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry. 

(o) The term representative of the news media means any person actively gathering news for an entity that publishes, 

broadcasts, or makes news available to the public. The term news means information about events that would be of

interest to the public. Examples of news media include, but are not limited to, television or radio stations

broadcasting to the public at large, publishers of periodicals who make their products available for purchase or

subscription by the general public (but only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of news), and 

entities that disseminate news to the general public through telephone, computer or other telecommunications

methods. Moreover, as traditional methods of news delivery evolve (e.g., electronic dissemination of newspapers 

through telecommunications services), such alternative media would be included in this category. In the case of 

freelance journalists, they may be regarded as working for a news organization if they can demonstrate a solid basis 

for expecting publication through that organization, even though not actually employed by it. A publication contract

would be the clearest proof, but NASA may also look to the past publication record of a requester in making this

determination.

 (p) The term commercial information means, for the purpose of applying the notice requirements of Sec. 1206.610, 

information provided by a submitter and in the possession of NASA, that may arguably be exempt from disclosure 

under the provisions of Exemption 4 of the FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)). The meaning ascribed to this term for the 

purpose of this notice requirement is separate and should not be confused with use of this or similar terms in

determining whether information satisfies one of the elements of Exemption 4. 

(q) The term submitter means a person or entity that is the source of commercial information in the possession of 

NASA. The term submitter includes, but is not limited to, corporations, state governments, and foreign governments. 

It does not include other Federal Government agencies or departments. 

(r) The term compelling need means: 

(1) That a failure to obtain requested records on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an 

imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual; or

(2) With respect to a request made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information, urgency to inform

the public concerning actual or alleged Federal government activity. 

(s) The term electronic reading room means a World Wide Web site from which members of the public can access

information regarding activities, missions, organizations, publications, or other material related to NASA's 

congressional mandate. 

Sec. 1206.102 General policy. 

(a) In accordance with section 203(a)(3) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2473(a)(3)), 

it has been and continues to be NASA policy to provide for the ``widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of

information concerning its activities and the results thereof.'' 

(b) In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552), a positive and continuing

obligation exists for NASA to make available to the fullest extent practicable upon request by members of the public 

all Agency records under its jurisdiction, as described in Subpart 2 of this part, except to the extent that they may be

exempt from disclosure under Subpart 3 of this part. 

Subpart 2 Records Available 

Sec. 1206.200 Types of records to be made available. 

(a) Records required to be published in the Federal Register. The following records are required to be published in

the Federal Register, for codification in Title 14, Chapter V, of the CFR. 

(1) Description of NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers and the established places at which, the employees from

whom, and the methods whereby, the public may secure information, make submittals or requests, or obtain 

decisions; 

(2) Statements of the general course and method by which NASA's functions are channeled and determined,

including the nature and requirements of all formal and informal procedures available; 

17
(3) Rules of procedure, descriptions of forms available or the places at which forms may be obtained, and 

instructions regarding the scope and contents of all papers, reports, or examinations;

(4) Substantive rules of general applicability adopted as authorized by law, and statements of general policy or

interpretations of general applicability formulated and adopted by NASA; 

(5) Each amendment, revision, or repeal of the foregoing. 

(b) Agency opinions, orders, statements, and manuals. 

(1) Unless they are exempt from disclosure under Subpart 3 of this part, or unless they are promptly published and 

copies offered for sale, 

NASA shall make available the following records for public inspection and copying or purchase:

(i) All final opinions (including concurring and dissenting opinions) and all orders made in the adjudication of cases;

(ii) Those statements of NASA policy and interpretations which have been adopted by NASA and are not published

in the Federal Register; 

(iii) Administrative staff manuals (or similar issuances) and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public; 

(iv) Copies of all records, regardless of form or formats, which have been released to any person under subpart 6

herein and which, because of the nature of their subject matter, the Agency determines have become or are likely to 

become the subject of subsequent requests for substantially the same records. 

(v) A general index of records referred to under paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.

(2) (i) For records created after November 1, 1997, which are covered by paragraph (b)(l)(i) through (b)(l)(v) of this 

section, such records shall be available electronically, through an electronic reading room and in electronic forms or 

formats. 

(ii) In connection with all records required to be made available or published under this paragraph (b), identifying

details shall be deleted to the extent required to prevent a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 

However, in each case the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing. The extent of such

deletion shall be indicated on the portion of the record which is made available or published, unless including that

indication would harm an interest protected by an exemption in Subpart 3. If technically feasible, the extent of the 

deletion shall be indicated at the place in the record where the deletion is made. 

(c) Other Agency records. 

(1) In addition to the records made available or published under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, NASA shall, 

upon request for other records made in accordance with this part, make such records promptly available to any 

person, unless they are exempt from disclosure under Subpart 3 of this part, or unless they may be purchased from

other readily available sources, as provided in Sec. 1206.201. 

(2) Furthermore, at a minimum, NASA will maintain in its electronic reading room records created after November 

1, 1997, under paragraphs (b)(1)(iv) and (v) and a guide for requesting records or information from NASA. Such

guide shall include all NASA major information systems, a description of major information and record locator

systems, and a handbook for obtaining various types and categories of NASA public information through the FOIA. 

Sec. 1206.201 Records which have been published.

Publication in the Federal Register is a means of making certain Agency records are available to the public. NASA 

has a FOIA Electronic Reading Room at NASA Headquarters and each of its Centers. Also, the Commerce Business

Daily, Synopsis of U.S. Government Proposed Procurement, Sales and Contract Awards (Department of Commerce) 

is a source of information concerning Agency records or actions. Various other NASA publications and documents, 

and indexes thereto, are available from other sources, such as the U.S. Superintendent of Documents, the National

Technical Information Service (Department of Commerce), and the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data 

Center (Department of the Interior). Such publications and documents are not required to be made available or

reproduced in response to a request unless they cannot be purchased readily from available sources. If a publication 

or document is readily available from a source other than NASA, the requester shall be informed of the procedures

to follow to obtain the publication or document. 

Sec. 1206.202 Deletion of segregable portions of a record. 

If a record requested by a member of the public contains both information required to be made available and that 

which is exempt from disclosure under Subpart 3 of this part, and the portion of the records that is required to be

made available is reasonably segregable from the portion that is exempt, the portion that is exempt from disclosure 

shall be deleted and the balance of the record shall be made available to the requester. If the nonexempt portion of 

the record appears to be unintelligible or uninformative, the requester shall be informed of that fact, and such

18
nonexempt portion shall not be sent to the requester unless thereafter specifically requested. If technically feasible, 

the amount of information deleted shall be indicated on the released portion of the record, unless including that

indication would harm an interest protected by the exemption in Subpart 3 under which the deletion is made. 

Sec. 1206.203 Creation of records. 

Records will not be created by compiling selected items from the files at the request of a member of the public, nor 

will records be created to provide the requester with such data as ratios, proportions, percentages, frequency 

distributions, trends, correlations, or comparisons. 

Sec. 1206.204 Records of interest to other agencies. 

If a NASA record is requested and another agency has a substantial interest in the record, such an agency shall be

consulted on whether the record shall be made available under this part (see Sec.1206.101(f)(3)). If a record is 

requested that is a record of another agency, the request shall be returned to the requester, as provided in Sec. 

1206.604(c) unless NASA has possession and control of the record requested. 

Sec. 1206.205 Incorporation by reference. 

Records reasonably available to the members of the public affected thereby, shall be deemed published in the 

Federal Register when incorporated by reference in material published in the Federal Register (pursuant to the 

Federal Register regulation on incorporation by reference, 1 CFR Part 51).

Sec. 1206.206 Availability for copying.

Except as provided in Sec. 1206.201, the availability of a record for inspection shall include the opportunity to

extract information there from or to purchase copies. 

Sec. 1206.207 Copies. 

The furnishing of a single copy of the requested record will constitute compliance with this part. 

Sec. 1206.208 Release of exempt records. 

If a record which has been requested is exempt from disclosure under Subpart 3 of this part, the record may

nevertheless be made available under the procedures of Subpart 6 of this part if it is determined by an official

authorized to make either an initial determination or a final determination that such action would not be inconsistent

with a purpose of the exemptions set forth in Subpart 3 of this part. 

Subpart 3 Exemptions 

Sec. 1206.300 Exemptions. 

(a) Under 5 U.S.C. 552(b) Agency records falling within the exemptions of paragraph (b) of this section are not

required to be made available under this part. Such records may nevertheless be made available if it is determined 

that such actions would not be inconsistent with a purpose of the exemption (see Sec. 1206.208). 

(b) The requirements of this part to make Agency records available do not apply to matters that are-- 

(1)(i) Specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of

national defense or foreign policy and 

(ii) Are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive Order;

(2) Related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of NASA; 

(3) Specifically exempted from disclosure by statute (other than 5 U.S.C. 552), provided that such statute: 

(i) Requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue, or 

(ii) Establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld; 

(4) Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person which is privileged or

confidential; 

19
(5) Interagency or intra-agency memoranda or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an

agency in litigation with NASA; 

(6) Personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted

invasion of personal privacy;

(7) Records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the production of

such law enforcement records or information-- 

(i) Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, 

(A) Whenever a request is made which involves access to these records and-- 

(1) The investigation or proceeding involves a possible violation of 

(2) There is reason to believe that the subject of the investigation or proceeding is not aware of its pendency, and

disclosure of the existence of the records could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, 

the Agency may, during only such time as that circumstance continues, treat the records as not subject to the 

requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552.

(B) [Reserved]

(ii) Would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication,

(iii) Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, 

(iv) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a State, local, or foreign

agency or authority or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of

a record or information compiled by criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation or

by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a 

confidential source. Whenever informant records maintained by a criminal law enforcement agency under an

informant's name or personal identifier are requested by a third party according to the informant's name or personal

identifier, the Agency may treat the records as not subject to the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552 unless the informant's 

status as an informant has been officially confirmed. 

(v) Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose

guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk

circumvention of the law, or 

(vi) Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.

(8) Contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of

an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions; or

(9) Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells. 

Sec. 1206.301 Limitation of exemptions. 

(a) This Part 1206 does not authorize the withholding of information or the availability of records to the public, 

except as specifically stated in this part. 

(b) Nothing in this part shall be construed as authority to withhold information from Congress. 

Subpart 4 Location for Inspection and Request of Agency Records 

Sec. 1206.400 Information Centers. 

NASA will maintain Information Centers as set forth in this subpart. 

Sec. 1206.401 Location of NASA Information Centers. 

(a) NASA will maintain the following Information Centers, at which Agency records may be inspected, from which

copies of Agency records may be requested and at which copies of Agency forms may be obtained:

(1) NASA Headquarters (HQ) Information Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 

DC 20546. 

(2) NASA Information Center, Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, CA 94035. 

(3) NASA Information Center, Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center, (DFRC), Post Office Box 273, Edwards, 

CA 93523. 

(4) NASA Information Center, Glenn Research Center (GRC), 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135. 

(5) NASA Information Center, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD 20771. 

(6) NASA Information Center, John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899. 

20
(7) NASA Information Center, Langley Research Center (LaRC), Langley Station, Hampton, VA 23665. 

(8) NASA Information Center, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC), 2101 NASA Road 1, Houston, TX 77058. 

(9) NASA Information Center, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL 35812. 

(10) NASA Information Center, John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC), MS 39529. 

(11) NASA Information Center, NASA Management Office Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), 4800 Oak Grove

Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109. 

(12) NASA Information Center, Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), Wallops Island, VA 23337. 

 

(b) NASA Headquarters and each NASA Center also has a FOIA Electronic Reading Room on the Internet. The 

Uniform Resource Locator 

(URL) addresses are as follows: 

(1) (HQ) http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/FOIA/; 

(2) (ARC) http://george.arc.nasa.gov/dx/FOIA/elec.html; 

(3) (DFRC) http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/FOIA/readroom.html;

(4) (GRC) http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/FOIA/ReadingRm.htm;

(5) (GSFC) http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov//foia/read-rm.htm;

(6) (JSC) http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/pao/public/foia/edocs.html;

(7) (KSC) http://www-foia.ksc.nasa.gov/foia/READROOM.HTM; 

(8) (LaRC) http://foia.larc.nasa.gov/readroom.html; 

(9) (MSFC) http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/FOIA/docs/docs.html and

(10) (SSC) http://www.ssc.nasa.gov/foia/reading/

(c) In addition a requester may submit a FOIA request electronically. The addresses are as follows: (HQ) 

foia@hq.nasa.gov; (ARC) foia@arc.nasa.gov; (DFRC) foia@dfrc.nasa.gov; (GRC) foia@grc.nasa.gov; (GSFC) 

foia@gsfc.nasa.gov; (JSC) foia@ems.jsc.nasa.gov; (KSC); FOIA@ksc.nasa.gov; (LaRC) foia@larc.nasa.gov;

(MSFC) foia@msfc.nasa.gov and (SSC) foia@ssc.nasa.gov; and for Inspector General records, 

foiaoig@hq.nasa.gov. 

Sec. 1206.402 Documents available for inspection at NASA Information Centers. 

(a) Each NASA Information Center will have available for inspection, as a minimum, a current version of the 

following documents: 

(1) 5 U.S.C. 552;

(2) Title 14 CFR Chapter V, and Title 41 CFR Chapter 18, and material published in the Federal Register for

codification but not yet included in the Code of Federal Regulations;

(3) A master list and index of NASA Issuances, and a copy of all such issuances; 

(4) A list and index of the management issuances of the NASA Center at which the Information Center is located, 

and a copy of such issuances;

(5) NASA's Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports and current indexes thereto; 

(6) Cumulative Index to Selected Speeches and News Releases issued by NASA Headquarters; 

(7) Index/Digest of Decisions, NASA Board of Contract Appeals;

(8) Decisions of the NASA Contract Adjustment Board and a current index thereto;

(9) Copies of Environmental Impact Statements filed by NASA under the National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969; 

(10) Collection of all issues of ``NASA Activities''; 

(11) List of licenses granted under NASA-owned patents; and 

(12) A master list and an index of NASA Policy Directives, Guidelines, and Charters, and a copy of all such

Directives, Guidelines, and Charters. 

(b) Because the indexes listed in paragraph (a) of this section are voluminous and because current versions thereof 

will be available for inspection at NASA Information Centers, from which copies of the indexes may be requested 

under Sec. 1206.603, it is determined and so ordered that publication of the indexes quarterly in the Federal Register

would be unnecessary and impractical. 

Sec. 1206.403 Duty hours. 

The NASA Information Centers listed in Sec. 1206.401 shall be open to the public during all regular workdays, from 

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

21
Subpart 5 Responsibilities 

Sec. 1206.500 Associate Deputy Administrator. 

Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 1206.504, the Associate Deputy Administrator or designee is responsible for

the following: 

(a) Providing overall supervision and coordination of the implementation of the policies and procedures set forth in

this Part 1206;

(b) After consultation with the General Counsel, making final determinations under Sec. 1206.607, within the time

limits specified in Subpart 6 of this part; 

(c) Determining whether unusual circumstances exist under Sec. 1206.608 as would justify the extension of the time

limit for a final determination.

Sec. 1206.501 General Counsel. 

The General Counsel is responsible for the interpretation of 5 U.S.C. 552 and of this part, and for the handling of

litigation in connection with a request for an Agency record under this part. 

Sec. 1206.502 Centers and Components. 

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 1206.504, the Director of each NASA Center or the Official-in-Charge of 

each Component, is responsible for the following: 

(1) After consultation with the Chief Counsel or the Counsel charged with providing legal advice to a Center or a 

Component Facility, making initial determinations under Sec. 1206.603 and Sec. 1206.604; 

(2) Determining whether unusual circumstances exist under Sec. 1206.608 as would justify the extension of the time

limit for an initial determination; and

(3) In coordination with the Associate Deputy Administrator, ensuring that requests for records under the 

cognizance of his/her respective Center are processed and initial determinations made within the time limits 

specified in Subpart 6 of this part. 

(b) If so designated by the Director or Officials-in-Charge of the respective Center, the principal Public Affairs 

Officer at the Center may perform the functions set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section. 

Sec. 1206.503 NASA Headquarters. 

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 1206.504, the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs, is responsible for 

the following: 

(1) Preparing the annual reports required by Sec. 1206.900, including establishing reporting procedures throughout 

NASA to facilitate the preparation of such reports; 

(2) After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, making initial determinations under Sec. 1206.603 and 

Sec. 1206.604;

(3) Determining whether unusual circumstances exist under Sec. 1206.608 as would justify the extension of the time

limit for an initial determination; and

(4) In coordination with the Associate Deputy Administrator, ensuring that requests for Agency records under the

cognizance of Headquarters are processed and initial determinations made within the time limits specified in Subpart 

6 of this part. 

(b) The functions set forth in paragraphs (a)(1), (2) and (3) of this section may be delegated by the Associate 

Administrator for Public Affairs to a Public Affairs Officer or Specialist and to the Manager or his/her designee,

NASA Management Office--JPL. 

Sec. 1206.504 Inspector General. 

(a) The Inspector General or designee is responsible for making final determinations under Sec. 1206.607, within the 

time limits specified in Subpart 6 of this part, concerning audit inspection and investigative records originating in

the Office of the Inspector General records from outside the Government related to an audit inspection or

investigation, records prepared in response to a request from or addressed to the Office of the Inspector General, or

22
other records originating within the Office of the Inspector General, after consultation with the General Counsel or

designee on an appeal of an initial determination to the Inspector General.

(b) The Assistant Inspectors General or their designees are responsible for making initial determinations under Sec. 

1206.603 and Sec. 1206.604 concerning audit inspection and investigative records originating in the Office of the 

Inspector General, records from outside the Government related to an audit inspection or investigation, records 

prepared in response to a request from or addressed to the Office of the Inspector General, or other records 

originating with the Office of the Inspector General, after consultation with the Attorney-Advisor to the Inspector

General or designee.

(c) The Inspector General or designee is responsible for ensuring that requests for Agency records as specified in 

paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are processed and initial determinations are made within the time limits 

specified in Subpart 6 of this part. 

(d) The Inspector General or designee is responsible for determining whether unusual circumstances exist under Sec.

1206.608 that would justify extending the time limit for an initial or final determination, for records as specified in

paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. 

(e) Records as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section include any records located at Regional and field 

Inspector General Offices, as well as records located at the Headquarters Office of the Inspector General. 

Sec. 1206.505 Delegation of authority. 

Authority necessary to carry out the responsibilities specified in this subpart is delegated from the Administrator to

the officials named in this subpart. 

Subpart 6 Procedures 

Sec. 1206.600 Requests for records.

A member of the public may request an Agency record by mail, facsimile (FAX), electronic-mail (e-mail), or in 

person from the FOIA Office having cognizance over the record requested or from the NASA Headquarters FOIA 

Office. 

Sec. 1206.601 Mail, fax and e-mail requests.

In view of the time limits under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6) for an initial determination on a request for an Agency record 

(see Sec. 1206.603), a request must meet the following requirements: 

(a) The request must be addressed to an appropriate NASA FOIA Office or otherwise be clearly identified in the 

letter as a request for an Agency record under the ``Freedom of Information Act.''

(b) The request must identify the record requested or reasonably describe it in a manner that enables a professional 

NASA employee who is familiar with the subject area of the request to identify and locate the record with a 

reasonable amount of effort. NASA need not comply with a blanket or categorical request (such as ``all matters 

relating to'' a general subject) where it is not reasonably feasible to determine what is sought. NASA will in good 

faith endeavor to identify and locate the record sought and will consult with the requester when necessary and 

appropriate for that purpose. However, as provided in Sec. 1206.203, NASA will undertake no obligation to compile 

or create information or records not already in existence at the time of the request. (c) If a fee is chargeable under 

Subpart 7 of this part for search or duplication costs incurred in connection with a request for an Agency record, and

the requester knows the amount of the fee at the time of the request, the request should be accompanied by a check 

or money order payable in that amount to the ``National Aeronautics and Space Administration.'' NASA cannot be 

responsible for cash sent by mail; stamps will not be accepted. If the amount of the fee chargeable is not known at 

the time of the request, the requester will be notified in the initial determination (or in a final determination in the 

case of an appeal) of the amount of the fee chargeable (see Sec. 1206.608(c)). For circumstances in which advance 

payment of fees is required, see Sec. 1206.704. 

Sec. 1206.602 Requests in person. 

(a) A member of the public may request an Agency record in person at a NASA FOIA Office (see Sec. 1206.401) 

during the duty hours of NASA Headquarters or the Center. 

23
(b) A request at a FOIA Office must identify the record requested or reasonably describe it as provided in Sec. 

1206.601(b). 

(c) If the record requested is located at the FOIA Office or otherwise readily obtainable, it shall be made available to

the requester upon the payment of any fees that are chargeable (see Subpart 7 of this part), which fees may be paid 

by a check or money order payable to the ``National Aeronautics and Space Administration''. If the record requested 

is not located at the FOIA Office or otherwise readily obtainable, the request will be docketed at the FOIA Office 

and processed in accordance with the procedures in Sec. 1206.603 and Sec. 1206.604, with any fee chargeable being 

handled in accordance with Sec. 1206.601(c).

Sec. 1206.603 Procedures and time limits for initial determinations. 

(a) Except as provided in Sec. 1206.608, an initial determination on a request for an Agency record, addressed in

accordance with Sec. 1206.601(a) or made in person at a NASA FOIA Office shall be made, and the requester shall 

be sent notification thereof, within 20 working days after receipt of the request, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6). 

(b) An initial determination on a request for an Agency record by mail not addressed in accordance with Sec. 

1206.601(a) shall be made, and the requester shall be sent notification thereof, within 20 working days after the 

correspondence is recognized as a request for an Agency record under the ``Freedom of Information Act'' and 

received by the appropriate NASA FOIA Office. With respect to such a request, unless an initial determination can 

reasonably be made within 20 working days of the original receipt, the request will be promptly acknowledged and 

the requester notified of the date the request was received at that FOIA Office and that an initial determination on 

the request will be made within 20 working days of that date. 

(c) If it is determined that the requested record (or portion thereof) will be made available, and if the charges are 

under $250, NASA will either send a copy of the releasable record and a bill for the fee or send the initial 

determination and a bill for the fee to the requester. In the latter case, the documents will be released when the fee is 

received. If the fee chargeable is over $250, a request for payment of the fee will always be sent with the initial 

determination, and the records will be mailed only upon receipt of payment. When records are sent before payment 

is received, the fact that interest will be charged from the 31st day after the day of the response shall be stated in the 

response. The date of the mailing of an initial determination, with or without the records(s), shall be deemed to

satisfy the time limit for initial determinations. 

(d) Any notification of an initial determination that does not comply fully with the request for an Agency record, 

including those searches that produce no documents, shall include a statement of the reasons for the adverse

determination, include the name and title of the person making the initial determination, and notify the requester of

the right to appeal to the Administrator, or the Inspector General, as appropriate, under Sec. 1206.605. 

(e) If the requester demonstrates a ``compelling need'' as defined in Sec. 1206.101(r) for records, NASA shall

provide expedited processing of the request. NASA will inform the requester as to whether the request for expedited

processing has been granted within 10 working days after the date of the request. 

Sec. 1206.604 Request for records that exist elsewhere. 

(a) If a request for an Agency record is received by a FOIA Office not having cognizance of the record (for example, 

when a request is submitted to one NASA Center or Headquarters and the requested record exists only at another 

NASA Center), the FOIA Office receiving the request shall promptly forward it to the NASA FOIA Office having 

cognizance of the record requested. That Center shall acknowledge the request and inform the requester that an

initial determination on the request will be sent within 20 working days from the date of receipt by such Center. 

(b) If a request is received for Agency records which exist at two or more Centers, the FOIA Office receiving the 

request shall undertake to comply with the request, if feasible, or to forward the request (or portions thereof) 

promptly to a more appropriate Center for processing. The requester shall be kept informed of the actions taken to

respond to the request. 

(c) If a request is received by a NASA FOIA Office for a record of another agency, the requester shall promptly be 

informed of that fact, and the request shall be returned to the requester, with advice as to where the request should be 

directed. 

Sec. 1206.605 Appeals. 

(a) A member of the public who has requested an Agency record in accordance with Sec. 1206.601 or Sec. 

1206.602, and who has received an initial determination which does not comply fully with the request, may appeal 

24
such an adverse initial determination to the Administrator, or, for records as specified in Sec. 1206.504, to the 

Inspector General under the procedures of this section. 

(b) The Appeal must: 

(1) Be in writing; 

(2) Be addressed to the Administrator, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, or, for records as specified in

Sec. 1206.504, to the Inspector General, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546; 

(3) Be identified clearly on the envelope and in the letter as an ``Appeal under the Freedom of Information Act'';

(4) Include a copy of the request for the Agency record and a copy of the adverse initial determination;

(5) To the extent possible, state the reasons why the requester believes the adverse initial determination should be

reversed; and 

(6) Be sent to the Administrator or the Inspector General, as appropriate, within 30 calendar days of the date of

receipt of the initial determination. 

(c) An official authorized to make a final determination may waive any of the requirements of paragraph (b) of this 

section, in which case the time limit for the final determination (see Sec. 1206.607(a)) shall run from the date of

such waiver. 

Sec. 1206.606 Request for additional records. 

If, upon receipt of a record (or portions thereof) following an initial determination to comply with a request, the 

requester believes that the materials received do not comply with the request, the requester may elect either to 

request additional records under the procedures of Sec. 1206.601 or Sec. 1206.602, or to file an appeal under the 

procedures of Sec. 1206.605, in which case the appeal must be sent to the Administrator, or to the Inspector General,

in the case of records as specified in Sec. 1206.504, within 30 days of receipt of the record (or portions thereof),

unless good cause is shown for any additional delay. 

Sec. 1206.607 Actions on appeals. 

(a) Except as provided in Sec. 1206.608, the Administrator or designee, or in the case of records as specified in Sec.

1206.504, the Inspector General or designee, shall make a final determination on an appeal and notify the requester

thereof, within 20 working days after the receipt of the appeal. 

(b) If the final determination reverses in whole or in part the initial determination, the record requested (or portions

thereof) shall be made available promptly to the requester, as provided in the final determination.

(c) If the final determination sustains in whole or in part an adverse initial determination, the notification of the final 

determination shall: 

(1) Explain the basis on which the record (or portions thereof) will not be made available; 

(2) Include the name and title of the person making the final determination;

(3) Include a statement that the final determination is subject to judicial review under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4); and 

(4) Enclose a copy of 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4). 

Sec. 1206.608 Time extensions in unusual circumstances. 

(a) In ``unusual circumstances'' as that term is defined in Sec. 1206.101(f), the time limits for an initial 

determination (see Sec. 1206.603 and Sec. 1206.604) and for a final determination (see Sec. 1206.607) may be 

extended, but not to exceed a total of 10 working days in the aggregate in the processing of any specific request for 

an Agency record. 

(b) If an extension of time under this section would be required, the requester shall be promptly notified of the 

reasons therefore and the date when a determination will be sent. 

(c) If a record described in a request cannot be located within the 20-working-day time limit for an initial 

determination, after consultation with a professional NASA employee who is familiar with the subject area of the 

request, that fact normally will justify an initial determination that the record requested cannot be identified or

located, rather than a decision that an extension of time under this section would be appropriate. 

(d) In exceptional circumstances, if it would be impossible to complete a search for or review of Agency records 

within the 20-working-day period for an initial determination, an official authorized to make an initial determination

or the designee may seek an extension of time from the requester. If such an extension of time can be agreed upon,

that fact should be clearly documented and the initial determination made within the extended time period; if not, an

initial determination that the record cannot be identified or located, or reviewed, within the 20-working-day time 

25
limit shall be made under Sec. 1206.603. ``Exceptional circumstances'' do not include a delay that results from a 

predictable Agency workload of requests unless the Agency demonstrates reasonable progress in reducing its 

backlog of pending requests. Refusal by the requester to reasonably modify the scope of a request or arrange an

alternative time frame for processing the request shall be considered as a factor in determining whether exceptional 

circumstances exist. 

Sec. 1206.609 Litigation.

In any instance in which a requester brings suit concerning a request for an Agency record under this part, the matter 

shall promptly be referred to the General Counsel together with a report on the details and status of the request. In

such a case, if a final determination with respect to the request has not been made, such a determination shall be

made as soon as possible, under procedures prescribed by the General Counsel in each case. 

Sec. 1206.610 Notice to submitters of commercial information.

(a) General policy. Upon receipt of a request for commercial information pursuant to the Freedom of Information 

Act, NASA shall provide the submitter with notice of the request in accordance with the requirements of this 

section. 

(b) Notice to submitters. Except as provided in paragraph (g) or (h) of this section, the Agency shall make a good

faith effort to provide a submitter with prompt notice of a request appearing to encompass its commercial 

information whenever required under paragraph (c) of this section. Such notice shall identify the commercial 

information requested and shall inform the submitter of the opportunity to object to its disclosure in accordance with

paragraph (d) of this section. If the submitter would not otherwise have access to the document that contains the 

information, upon the request of the submitter, the Agency shall provide access to, or copies of, the records or

portions thereof containing the commercial information. This notice shall be provided in writing upon the request of

the submitter. Whenever the Agency provides notice pursuant to this section, the Agency shall advise the requester 

that notice and opportunity to comment are being provided to the submitter.

(c) When notice is required. Notice shall be given to a submitter whenever the information has been designated by

the submitter as information deemed protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Act, or the Agency 

otherwise has reason to believe that the information may be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4. 

(d) Opportunity to object to disclosure. Through the notice described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Agency

shall afford a submitter a reasonable period within which to provide the Agency with a detailed statement of any 

objection to disclosure. This period shall not exceed 10 working days from the date after which the Agency can 

reasonably assume receipt of notice by the submitter, unless the submitter provides a reasonable explanation 

justifying additional time to respond. If the Agency does not receive a response from the submitter within this 

period, the Agency shall proceed with its review of the information and initial determination. The submitter's 

response shall include all bases, factual or legal, for withholding any of the information pursuant to Exemption 4. 

Information provided by a submitter pursuant to this paragraph may itself be subject to disclosure under the FOIA.

Submitters will not be provided additional opportunities to object to disclosure, and, therefore, should provide a 

complete explanation of any and all bases for withholding any information from disclosure. 

(e) Notice of intent to disclose. The Agency shall carefully consider any objections of the submitter in the course of 

determining whether to disclose commercial information. Whenever the Agency decides to disclose commercial 

information over the objection of a submitter, the Agency shall forward to the submitter a written statement which

shall include the following:

(1) A brief explanation as to why the Agency did not agree with any objections; 

(2) A description of the commercial information to be disclosed, sufficient to identify the information to the 

submitter; and 

(3) A date after which disclosure is expected. Such notice of intent to disclose shall be forwarded to the submitter in

a reasonable number of working days prior to the expected disclosure date. 

(f) Notice of FOIA lawsuit. Whenever a requester brings suit seeking to compel disclosure of commercial 

information covered by paragraph (c) of this section, the Agency shall promptly notify the submitter. Whenever a 

submitter brings suit against the Agency in order to prevent disclosure of commercial information, the Agency shall 

promptly notify the requester. 

(g) Exceptions to notice requirements. The notice requirements of this section do not apply if-- 

(1) The information has been published or otherwise made available to the public. 

(2) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 U.S.C. 552); 

26
(3) The submitter has received notice of a previous FOIA request which encompassed information requested in the 

later request, and the Agency intends to withhold and/or release information in the same manner as in the previous

FOIA request;

(4) Upon submitting the information or within a reasonable period thereafter, 

(i) The submitter reviewed its information in anticipation of future requests pursuant to the FOIA, 

(ii) Provided the Agency a statement of its objections to disclosure consistent with that described in paragraph (e) of 

this section, and

(iii) The Agency intends to release information consistent with the submitter's objections; 

(5) Notice to the submitter may disclose information exempt from disclosure pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(7).

(h)(1) An additional limited exception to the notice requirements of this section, to be used only when all of the 

following exceptional circumstances are found to be present, authorizes the Agency to withhold information which

is the subject of a FOIA request, based on Exemption 4 (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)), without providing the submitter 

individual notice: 

(i) The Agency would be required to provide notice to over 10 submitters, in which case, notification may be

accomplished by posting or publishing the notice in a place reasonably calculated to accomplish notification. 

(ii) Absent any response to the published notice, the Agency determines that if it provided notice as is otherwise 

required by paragraph (c) of this section, it is reasonable to assume that the submitter would object to disclosure of

the information based on Exemption 4; and,

(iii) If the submitter expressed the anticipated objections, the Agency would uphold those objections. 

(2) This exemption shall be used only with the approval of the Chief Counsel of the Center, the Attorney-Advisor to

the Inspector General, or the Associate General Counsel responsible for providing advice on the request. This 

exception shall not be used for a class of documents or requests, but only as warranted by an individual FOIA

request. 

Subpart 7 Search, Review, and Duplication Fees 

Sec. 1206.700 Schedule of fees. 

The fees specified in this section shall be charged for searching for, reviewing, and/or duplicating Agency records 

made available in response to a request under this part. 

(a) Copies. For copies of documents such as letters, memoranda, statements, reports, contracts, etc., $0.10 per copy 

of each page. For copies of oversize documents, such as maps, charts, etc., $0.15 for each reproduced copy per 

square foot. These charges for copies include the time spent in duplicating the documents. For copies of computer 

disks, still photographs, blueprints, videotapes, engineering drawings, hard copies of aperture cards, etc., the fee 

charged will reflect the full direct cost to NASA of reproducing or copying the record. 

(b) Clerical searches. For each one-quarter hour spent by clerical personnel in searching for an Agency record in

response to a request under this part, $3.75.

(c) Nonroutine, nonclerical searches. When a search cannot be performed by clerical personnel; for example, when

the task of determining which records fall within a request and collecting them requires the time of professional or

managerial personnel, and when the amount of time that must be expended in the search and collection of the

requested records by such higher level personnel is substantial, charges for the search may be made at a rate in 

excess of the clerical rate, namely for each one-quarter hour spent by such higher level personnel in searching for a 

requested record, $7.50. 

(d) Review of records. For commercial use requests only, when time is spent reviewing to determine whether they 

are exempt from mandatory disclosure, a charge may be made at the rate for each one-quarter hour spent by an 

attorney, $11.25. No charge shall be made for the time spent in resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the 

application of exemptions. This charge will only be assessed the first time NASA reviews a record and not at the 

administrative appeal level. 

(e) Computerized records. Because of the diversity in the types and configurations of computers which may be 

required in responding to requests for Agency records maintained in whole or in part in computerized form, it is not

feasible to establish a uniform schedule of fees for search and printout of such records. In most instances, records

maintained in computer data banks are available also in printed form and the standard fees specified in paragraph (a)

of this section shall apply. If the request for an Agency record required to be made available under this part requires 

a computerized search or printout, the charge for the time of personnel involved shall be at the rates specified in 

paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. The charge for the computer time involved and for any special supplies or

materials used shall not exceed the direct cost to NASA. This charge may be as high as $125.00 per quarter hour. 

27
Before any computer search or printout is undertaken in response to a request for an Agency record, the requester

shall be notified of the applicable unit costs involved and the total estimated cost of the search and/or printout. 

(f) Other search and duplication costs. Reasonable standard fees, other than as specified in paragraphs (a) through 

(e) of this section, may be charged for additional direct costs incurred in searching for or duplicating an Agency 

record in response to a request under this part. Charges which may be made under this paragraph include, but are not

limited to, the transportation of NASA personnel to places of record storage for search purposes or freight charges

for transporting records to the personnel searching for or duplicating a requested record. 

(g) Charges for special services. Complying with requests for special services such as those listed in (g)(1), (2), and

(3) of this section is entirely at the discretion of NASA. Neither the FOIA nor its fee structure cover these kinds of

services. To the extent that NASA elects to provide the following services, it will levy a charge equivalent to the full 

cost of the service provided: 

(1) Certifying that records are true copies. 

(2) Sending records by special methods such as express mail.

(3) Packaging and mailing bulky records that will not fit into the largest envelope carried in the supply inventory. 

(h) Unsuccessful or unproductive searches. Search charges, as set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, may 

be made even when an Agency record which has been requested cannot be identified or located after a diligent 

search and consultation with a professional NASA employee familiar with the subject area of the request, or if 

located, cannot be made available under Subpart 3 of this part. Ordinarily, however, fees will not be charged in such 

instances unless they are substantial (over $50.00) and the requester has consented to the search after having been

advised that it cannot be determined in advance whether any records exist which can be made available (see Sec. 

1201206.704) and that search fees will be charged even if no record can be located and made available. 

(i) Fees not chargeable.

(1) NASA will not charge for the first 100 pages of duplication and the first 2 hours of search time either manual or 

electronic except to requesters seeking documents for commercial use. 

(2) If the cost to be billed to the requester is equal to or less than $15.00, no charges will be billed.

(j) Records will be provided in a form or format specified by the requester if they are readily reproducible in such

format with reasonable efforts. If the records are not readily reproducible in the requested form or format, the 

Agency will so inform the requester. The requester may specify an alternative form or format that is available. If the 

requester refuses to specify an alternative form or format, the Agency will not process the request further. 

Sec. 1206.701 Categories of requesters. 

There are four categories of FOIA requesters: Commercial use requesters; educational and noncommercial scientific 

institutions; representatives of the news media; and all other requesters. The Act prescribes specific levels of fees for 

each of these categories: 

(a) Commercial use requesters. When NASA receives a request for documents appearing to be for commercial use, 

it will assess charges which recover the full direct costs of searching for, reviewing for release, and duplicating the 

records sought. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. Moreover, in the case of such a request, 

NASA will not consider a request for waiver or reduction of fees based upon an assertion that disclosure would be in 

the public interest. Commercial use requesters are not entitled to 2 hours of free search time or to 100 free pages of

reproduction of documents. 

(b) Education and noncommercial scientific institution requesters. NASA shall provide documents to requesters in

this category for the cost of reproduction alone, excluding charges for the first 100 pages. To be eligible for 

inclusion in this category, requesters must show that the request being made is authorized by and under the auspices 

of a qualifying institution and that the records are not being sought for a commercial use, but are being sought in

furtherance of scholarly (if the request is from an educational institution) or scientific (if the request is from a 

noncommercial scientific institution) research. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought.

(c) Requesters who are representatives of the news media. NASA shall provide documents to requesters in this 

category for the cost of reproduction alone, excluding charges for the first 100 pages. To be eligible for inclusion in

this category, a requester must demonstrate that he/she meets the criteria in Sec. 1206.101(o) of this part, and his/her

request must not be made for a commercial use. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. 

(d) All other requesters. NASA shall charge requesters who do not fit into any of the categories mentioned in this 

section, fees which recover the full direct reasonable cost of searching for and reproducing records that are 

responsive to the request, except that the first 100 pages of reproduction and the first 2 hours of search time shall be

furnished without charge. Moreover, requests from individuals for records about themselves located in NASA's

28
systems of records will continue to be processed under the fee provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, which permits 

fees only for reproduction. Requesters must reasonably describe the records sought. 

Sec. 1206.702 Waiver or reduction of fees. 

The burden is always on the requester to provide the evidence to qualify him/her for a fee waiver or reduction.

(a) NASA shall furnish documents without charge or at reduced charges in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 

552(a)(4)(A)(iii), provided that: 

(1) 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

(2) It is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. 

(b) Where these two statutory requirements are satisfied, based upon information supplied by the requester or

otherwise made known to NASA, 

the FOIA fee shall be waived or reduced. Where one or both of these requirements is not satisfied, a fee waiver or

reduction is not warranted under the statute.

(c) In determining whether disclosure is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public 

understanding of the operations or activities of the government, the following considerations shall be applied:

(1) Whether the subject of the requested records concerns ``the operations or activities of the government''; 

(2) Whether the disclosure is ``likely to contribute'' to an understanding of government operations or activities; 

(3) Whether disclosure of the requested information will contribute to ``public understanding''; and

(4) Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute ``significantly'' to public understanding of government operations

or activities. 

(d) In determining whether disclosure of the information ``is not primarily in the commercial interest of the 

requester,'' the following consideration shall be applied:

(1) Whether the requester has a commercial interest that would be furthered by the requested disclosure; and if so, 

(2) Whether the magnitude of the identified commercial interest of the requester is sufficiently large, in comparison

with the public interest in disclosure, that disclosure is ``primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.'' 

Sec. 1206.703 Aggregation of requests.

A requester may not file multiple requests at the same time, each seeking portions of a document or documents, 

solely in order to avoid payment of fees. When NASA has reason to believe that a requester or a group of requesters

acting in concert, is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests for the purpose of evading the 

assessment of fees, NASA will aggregate any such requests and charge accordingly. NASA will consider that 

multiple requests made within a 30-day period were so intended, unless there is evidence to the contrary. Where the 

relevant time period exceeds 30 days, NASA will not assume such a motive unless there is evidence to the contrary. 

In no case will NASA aggregate multiple requests on unrelated subjects from one requester. 

Sec. 1206.704 Advance payments. 

(a) NASA will not require a requester to make an advance payment, i.e., payment before work is commenced or 

continued on a request, unless: 

(1) NASA estimates or determines that the allowable charges are likely to exceed $250. NASA will notify the 

requester of the likely cost and obtain satisfactory assurance of full payment where the requester has a history of

prompt payment of FOIA fees, or require an advance payment of an amount up to the full estimated charges in the 

case of requesters with no history of payment; or 

(2) A requester has previously failed to pay a fee in a timely fashion (within 30 days of billing), then NASA may 

require the requester to pay the full amount owed plus any applicable interest as provided below (see Sec. 

1206.706(a)), or demonstrate that he/she has, in fact, paid the fee, and to make an advance payment of the full

amount of the estimated fee before the Agency begins to process a new request or a pending request from that

requester.

(b) When NASA acts under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, the administrative time limits will begin only 

after NASA has received the fee payments described in paragraph (a) of this section. 

Sec. 1206.705 Form of payment. 

29
Payment shall be made by check or money order payable to the ``National Aeronautics and Space Administration''

and sent per instructions in the initial determination.

Sec. 1206.706 Nonpayment of fees. 

(a) Interest to be charged. Requesters are advised that should they fail to pay the fees assessed, they may be charged 

interest on the amount billed starting on the 31st day following the day on which the billing was sent. Interest will be 

at the rate prescribed in section 3717 of Title 31 U.S.C. 

(b) Applicability of Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365). Requesters are advised that if full payment is not

received within 60 days after the billing was sent, the procedures of the Debt Collection Act may be invoked (14 

CFR 1261.407-1261.409). These procedures include three written demand letters at not more than 30-day intervals, 

disclosure to a consumer reporting agency, and the use of a collection agency, where appropriate. 

 

Subpart 8 Failure to Release Records to the Public 

Sec. 1206.800 Failure to release records to the public. 

(a) Except to the extent that a person has actual and timely notice of the terms thereof, a person may not in any 

manner be required to resort to, or be adversely affected by, a matter required to be published in the Federal Register

under Sec. 1206.200(a) and not so published.

(b) A final order, opinion, statement of policy, interpretation, or staff manual or instruction that affects a member of 

the public may be relied upon, used, or cited as precedent by NASA against any member of the public only if it has

been indexed and either made available or published as provided by Sec. 1206.200(b) or if the member of the public

has actual and timely notice of the terms thereof. 

(c) Failure to make available an Agency record required to be made available under this part could provide the 

jurisdictional basis for a suit against NASA under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4) (B) through (G), which provides as follows: 

(B) On complaint, the District Court of the United States in the district in which the complainant resides, or has his 

principal place of business, or in which the Agency records are situated, or in the District of Columbia, has 

jurisdiction to enjoin the Agency from withholding Agency records and to order the production of any Agency

records improperly withheld from the complainant. In such a case the court shall determine the matter de novo, and

may examine the contents of such Agency records in camera to determine whether such records or any part thereof 

shall be withheld under any of the exemptions set forth in subsection (b) of this section, and the burden is on the 

Agency to sustain its action. 

(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the defendant shall serve an answer or otherwise plead to any

complaint made under this subsection within 30 days after service upon the defendant of the pleading in which such

complaint is made, unless the court otherwise directs for good cause shown.

[(D) Repealed. Pub. L. 98-620, Title IV, 402(2), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3335, 3375.] 

(E) The court may assess against the United States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably 

incurred in any case under this section in which the complainant has substantially prevailed.

(F) Whenever the court orders the production of any Agency records improperly withheld from the complainant and 

assesses against the United 

States reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs, and the court additionally issues a written finding that the 

circumstances surrounding the withholding raise questions whether Agency personnel acted arbitrarily or 

capriciously with respect to the withholding, the Special Counsel shall promptly initiate a proceeding to determine 

whether disciplinary action is warranted against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for the

withholding. The Special Counsel, after investigation and consideration of the evidence submitted, shall submit his 

findings and recommendations to the administrative authority of the Agency concerned and shall send copies of the

findings and recommendations to the officer or employee or his representative. The administrative authority shall 

take the corrective action that the Special Counsel recommends. 

(G) In the event of noncompliance with the order of the court, the district court may punish for contempt the 

responsible employee, and in the case of a uniformed service, the responsible member. 

Subpart 9 Annual Report

Sec. 1206.900 Requirements for annual report. 

30
On or before February 1 of each year, NASA shall submit a report covering the preceding fiscal year to the 

Department of Justice. 

31
Appendix A: 

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. 

(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: 

(1) FOIA Staffing 

(2) Equipment / Logistics 

32
(3) Web Site Improvements 

(4) Agency Reference Handbook 

(5) FOIA Database

(6) FOIA Training 

(7) Communications 

E. For each improvement area provide: 

(1) Name: FOIA Staffing

(2) 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. 

(3) 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. 

(4) 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. 

(5) 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.

(1) Name: Equipment/Logistics

(2) 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. 

(3) 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.

(4) 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. 

(5) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent of the FOIA Requester Service Centers have both 

desktop scanners and redaction software for implementation. 

(1) Name: Web Site Improvements

(2) 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. 

(3) 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. 

(4) 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. 

33
(5) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent of the NASA Center Web pages updated with

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

(1) Name: Agency FOIA Reference Handbook

(2) 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. 

(3) 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. 

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

(5) Means of measurement of success: Updated, printed, and posted onto our agency’s FOIA Web

page. 

(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 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. 

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

use by FY08. 

(1) Name: FOIA Training

(2) 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. 

(3) 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. 

(4) Time milestones: Annually during the budget process. 

(5) Means of measurement of success: 100 percent participation.

(1) Name: Communications

(2) 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. 

(3) 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.

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

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

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

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

a.) Equipment/Logistics 

b.) Agency FOIA Handbook

c.) FOIA Training 

d.) Communications 

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

a.) FOIA Staffing 

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

34
a.) FOIA Database

Appendix A: (Modification 1) 

Add –

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

(8) Backlog Reduction 

E. For each improvement area provides: 

(1) Name: Backlog Reduction

(2) 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. 

(3) 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. 

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 (NMOJPL). 

35
(4) 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: 

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

e.) Backlog Reduction. 

36
Appendix B: 

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

37
AppendixC: 

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 I (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 

38 

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 tbe 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