1. GOALS:
• Compare experiences using FOIAOnline vs. other agency
systems
• Compare agencies’ use of FOIA exemptions (particularly
b5 - predicisional)
• Make it easy for the public to follow the results

2. Step 1
Decide what to request
Copies of the report each agency was required
to submit to the Archivist and the Director of
OMB pursuant to the Records Management
Directive

3. Step 2
Decide where to send requests


4. Step 3
Update the Blog


5. RESULTS
Grade Range for Grade Range for
FOIAOnline Other Agencies
MAKING REQUESTS
CONFIRMING
REQUEST
TRACKING REQUESTS
CORRESPONDING
WITH AGENCY
RECEIVING
DOCUMENTS

6. Making Requests
FOIAOnline
• No need to fill in basic information (with
account)
• Easy-to-use interface
• Can attach supporting documents
Other Agencies
• Some as easy as a standard email, some not

7. RESULTS
Grade Range for Grade Range for
FOIAOnline Other Agencies
MAKING REQUESTS A+ A-D
CONFIRMING
REQUEST
TRACKING REQUESTS
CORRESPONDING
WITH AGENCY
RECEIVING
DOCUMENTS

8. Confirming Requests
FOIAOnline
• Automatically generated tracking number
Other Agencies
• Emails, automatically generated and sent later
• Letters via US Postal Service
• Hand-addressed postcard
• Some still no confirmation

9. RESULTS
Grade Range for Grade Range for
FOIAOnline Other Agencies
MAKING REQUESTS A+ A -- D
CONFIRMING
REQUEST A+ A -- F
TRACKING REQUESTS
CORRESPONDING
WITH AGENCY
RECEIVING
DOCUMENTS

10. Tracking Requests
FOIAOnline
• Provides expected due date, only one
response in time frame
Other Agencies
• Some provide online tracking
• Some allow requesters to track via phone (if
you have the number)
• At least one lost request - maybe

11. RESULTS
Grade Range for Grade Range for
FOIAOnline Other Agencies
MAKING REQUESTS A+ A -- D
CONFIRMING
REQUEST A+ A -- F
TRACKING REQUESTS A -- D A -- F
CORRESPONDING
WITH AGENCY
RECEIVING
DOCUMENTS

12. Corresponding with Agency
FOIAOnline
• Can correspond directly through the system,
but only in response to their correspondence
Other Agencies
• Some very responsive, others not so much
(unreturned phone calls, appeals must be sent
via mail)

13. RESULTS
Grade Range for Grade Range for
FOIAOnline Other Agencies
MAKING REQUESTS A+ A -- D
CONFIRMING
REQUEST A+ A -- F
TRACKING REQUESTS A -- D A -- F
CORRESPONDING
WITH AGENCY C A -- F
RECEIVING
DOCUMENTS

14. Receiving Documents
FOIAOnline
• In theory, all released documents can be
found through FOIAOnline
• In our experience, documents go up later, if at
all, are hard to find
Other Agencies
• Emailed electronically
• Sent via US Postal Service
• Emailed and mailed

15. RESULTS
Grade Range for Grade Range for
FOIAOnline Other Agencies
MAKING REQUESTS A+ A -- D
CONFIRMING
REQUEST A+ A -- F
TRACKING REQUESTS A -- D A -- F
CORRESPONDING
WITH AGENCY C A -- F
RECEIVING
DOCUMENTS D -- F B -- D

16. Find Us Online
• Managing FOIA Blog -
http://managingfoia.wordpress.com/
• OpenTheGovernment.org –
http://www.openthegovernment.org
• Amy Bennett –
abennett@openthegovernment.org
@AmyLikesOpenGov