Notice2025-17820
Freedom of Information Act “Still Interested” Inquiry
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 16, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agency for International Development
Abstract
The Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) provides that agencies shall make records available to the public, subject to certain exemptions. In line with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Information Policy (OIP) guidance, agencies may confirm whether requesters are "still interested" in pending FOIA requests before continuing processing, particularly when circumstances have changed significantly. USAID is issuing this notice to inquire about requestors still interested in having USAID process their FOIA requests. Utilizing this procedure will help USAID increase efficiency, appropriately allocate resources, and reduce backlog relating to its FOIA processing. This notice applies to requesters who submitted FOIA requests prior to January 20, 2025.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 44623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17820]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 177 / Tuesday, September 16, 2025 /
Notices
[[Page 44623]]
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Freedom of Information Act ``Still Interested'' Inquiry
AGENCY: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
ACTION: Notice of USAID Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ``Still
Interested'' Inquiry.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) provides that
agencies shall make records available to the public, subject to certain
exemptions. In line with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of
Information Policy (OIP) guidance, agencies may confirm whether
requesters are ``still interested'' in pending FOIA requests before
continuing processing, particularly when circumstances have changed
significantly. USAID is issuing this notice to inquire about requestors
still interested in having USAID process their FOIA requests. Utilizing
this procedure will help USAID increase efficiency, appropriately
allocate resources, and reduce backlog relating to its FOIA processing.
This notice applies to requesters who submitted FOIA requests prior to
January 20, 2025.
DATES: All responses to this notice will be accepted on or before
October 31, 2025.
ADDRESSES: All responses to this notice must be submitted by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d3b5bcbab293a6a0b2bab7fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2c4a43454d6c595f4d4548024b435a">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Colbow, FOIA Public
Liaison, 571-228-5866; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#15737a7c74556066747c713b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8ded7d1d9f8cdcbd9d1dc96dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Due to the ongoing reorganization of USAID
operations in 2025, including the transition of certain foreign
assistance functions to the Department of State and a reduction-in-
force of nearly all USAID personnel, the Agency is facing a significant
backlog in open FOIA requests. Most subject matter experts and record
custodians are no longer available, which will particularly limit
USAID's ability to locate, review, and release records for prior year
requests in a timely manner.
To ensure that USAID's FOIA resources are directed toward matters
of current relevance and ongoing public interest, and to promote
overall efficiency in managing government resources, USAID is issuing
this notice to inquire about continued interest in FOIA requests that
were submitted prior to January 20, 2025.
If you wish to proceed with your FOIA request submitted before
January 20, 2025:
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#deb8b1b7bf9eabadbfb7baf0b9b1a8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="10767f79715065637179743e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
Subject line: Still Interested [FOIA request tracking number].
Include in the body of the email:
<bullet> Your full name;
<bullet> Your FOIA request tracking number (if available);
<bullet> The date your request was submitted; and
<bullet> A brief confirmation you wish to continue.
Please note that the foregoing applies to FOIA requests submitted
to another agency, which were transferred to USAID and provided with a
USAID FOIA request tracking number.
USAID will use email addresses on file for requesters with open
FOIA cases submitted prior to January 20, 2025, to inform them of this
notice.
The email correspondence must include the specific USAID FOIA
request tracking number(s) (e.g., F-XXXX-25) and a request that USAID
continue processing the request(s).
Responses must be received within 45 calendar days of this notice.
If no response is received, the request will be administratively
closed, and no action is required if a requester wishes to close an
inquiry. This does not prevent you from submitting a new FOIA request
in the future.
This action is consistent with DOJ OIP guidance on the appropriate
use of ``still interested'' inquiries to manage FOIA backlogs and
allocate resources efficiently. By confirming interest, requesters help
ensure that USAID can devote its resources to requests most likely to
be processed successfully and to matters of greatest current public
relevance.
This notice only applies to active USAID FOIA requests and does not
apply to any FOIA requests currently under appeal or subject to active
litigation with USAID. Finally, this notice does not alter any of
USAID's existing FOIA regulations.
USAID is committed to providing information to the public in
accessible formats in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d). If you require assistance to
respond to this notice, please contact <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#74121b1d15340107151d105a131b02"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="33555c5a52734640525a571d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>.
Statutory Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552.
Signing Authority
This document was approved on September 11, 2025, by Kenneth
Jackson, as the Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for
Management and Resources, USAID. The document with the original
signature and date is maintained by USAID. For administrative purposes
only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal
Register, the undersigned USAID Federal Register Liaison Officer has
been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format
for publication, as an official document of USAID. This administrative
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Christopher Colbow,
FOIA Public Liaison.
[FR Doc. 2025-17820 Filed 9-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6116-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 16, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.