Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act | NSF

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aria-label="Print this page" href="javascript:printThis();"> <span class="fa fa-print" aria-hidden="true"></span> Print</a> <script type="text/javascript"> function printThis() { window.print(); } </script> <a role="button" class="btn a2a_dd" id="addtoany" aria-label="Share this page" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share"> <span class="fa fa-share" aria-hidden="true"></span> Share </a> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="inner-content" class="panel panel-orange"> <div id="contentHead"> <span class="pageheadsubline prehead">  </span> <h1 class="pageheadline"> Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act </h1> <div class="pageheadsubline subhead">  </div></div>  <p class="alerts">Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NSF has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission as effectively and efficiently as possible while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of our staff. As a result, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgment, as well as, a substantive response to your FOIA request or appeal. We will be able to acknowledge requests made electronically more quickly than by mail. You may reach out to our FOIA Public Liaison if you have any questions about your request. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.</p> <p>National Science Foundation policy is to make the fullest possible disclosure of information, subject to restrictions imposed by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act, to any person who requests information, without unnecessary expense or delay. Information is provided here on how to make FOIA and Privacy Act requests for NSF records and how to contact the FOIA and Privacy Act offices at NSF.</p> <p>Please check the <a href="/publications/ods/">Online Document System</a> to browse, search, and retrieve electronic copies of available NSF publications. For those documents that have been frequently requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), please see the <a href="#foia-electronic-reading-room">FOIA Electronic Reading Room</a> below. Among the documents available online are program announcements, policy statements, agency bulletins, administrative staff manuals, and other instructions that affect the public. Press releases, text of speeches, and other public affairs documents are available from the <a href="/od/lpa/">Office of Legislative and Public Affairs</a>.</p> <p>Abstracts of all NSF awards made since 1989 are available through <a href="https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov">FastLane</a> or through the <a href="/awardsearch/">Award Search</a> page. Information about older awards may be available (after a certain period of time records are transferred to the ownership of National Archives and Records Administration). Contact the appropriate program office or the FOIA Officer. Copies of awarded proposals are available upon request, there may be applicable fees. Personal and proprietary information will be removed from the proposal documents before they are released.</p> <h2>MAKING A FOIA REQUEST</h2> <p>If you wish to make a FOIA request for records, please refer to the <a href="https://foia.nsf.gov/app/CreateRequest.aspx">Public Access Link</a> (PAL) portal. NSF regulations (published at 45 <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html">CFR</a>, Part 612) describe the agency policies in detail. At a minimum, requests should:</p> <ol type="a"> <li>be in writing, (regular mail, electronic mail, and facsimile requests are accepted);</li> <li>be clearly identified as a FOIA request, (this should be indicated in the text, and on the envelope if the request is sent by regular mail);</li> <li>clearly describe the records sought, (the more information provided - name(s), date(s), specific subject area(s) - the easier it will be to determine if the records you are seeking exist; more specific and limited requests generally result in quicker responses and lower (or no) fees); and</li> <li>state willingness to pay applicable fees (fees for search, review and duplication may be applicable, depending upon the identity of the requester).</li> </ol> <p>Include the mailing address to which records should be sent. If you include your telephone number, we can contact you if there is any question about the scope of your request, possible fees, etc.. You will not be charged if applicable fees are less than $25, but you may wish to include a maximum dollar amount you are willing to pay.</p> <p>Please remember that the FOIA applies only to existing agency records. It does not require agencies to create records, or to answer questions. However, NSF will attempt, in all cases, to provide the information desired.</p> <p>National Science Foundation<br /> Attn: FOIA Officer<br /> 2415 Eisenhower Avenue<br /> Alexandria, Virginia 22314</p> <p>Email: <a href="mailto:foia@nsf.gov">foia@nsf.gov</a><br> Telephone: (703) 292-8060<br> Fax: (703) 292-2146</p> <h2>MAKING A FOIA REQUEST FOR OIG RECORDS</h2> <p>National Science Foundation<br> Office of Inspector General<br> Attn: FOIA Officer<br> 2415 Eisenhower Avenue<br> Alexandria, Virginia 22314<br> <a href="mailto:foiaoig@nsf.gov">foiaoig@nsf.gov</a></p> <h2>MAKING A PRIVACY ACT REQUEST</h2> <p>If you wish to make a Privacy Act request for personal information about yourself, NSF regulations (published at 45 <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html">CFR</a> 613) describe the the agency policies in detail.</p> <p>Requests should be in writing, and either notarized, or submitted under 28 <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm01760.htm">USC</a> 1746 (Unsworn declarations under the penalty of perjury).</p> <p>National Science Foundation<br /> Attn: Privacy Act Officer<br /> 2415 Eisenhower Avenue<br> Alexandria, Virginia 22314</p> <p>Telephone: (703) 292-8060</p> <h2>RESOURCE MATERIALS</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.justice.gov/oip/amended-foia-redlined-2010.pdf">FOIA Text (5 USC 552)</a></li> <li><a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+5USC552a">Privacy Act Text (5 USC 552a)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.justice.gov/oip/foia-guide.html">DOJ Guide to the Freedom of Information Act</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.justice.gov/opcl/1974privacyact-overview.htm">Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=da4e6e53a8f198232a5a202698537009&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title45/45cfr613_main_02.tpl">NSF Privacy Regulations</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-29/pdf/2013-21053.pdf">NSF FOIA Regulations</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11012">NSF Public Information Handbook</a></li> <li><a href="chief_foia_officer.jsp">Chief FOIA Officer Reports</a></li> <li><a href="foia_annual_reports.jsp">FOIA Annual Reports</a></li> <li><a href="foia_annual_reports.jsp#rawdata">FOIA Annual Reports - Raw Data</a></li> <li><a href="quarterly_foia_reports.jsp">FOIA Quarterly Reports</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="foia-electronic-reading-room">FOIA ELECTRONIC READING ROOM</h2> <h3 class="l-h__base">Frequently Requested Records</h3> <ul> <li><a href="impac.jsp">GSA SmartPay Program</a> (Current list of Visa Cardholders)</li> </ul> <h3 class="l-h__base">Reports</h3> <ul> <li><a href="docs/Final BOI Report Mount Newall 6 Nov 20191 - Public Report.pdf">Mount Newall Incident</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="l-h__base">Contracts</h3> <ul> <li><a href="docs/Contracts.pdf">Arctic Research Support and Logistics Services</a></li> <li>Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) <ul> <li><a href="contracts/asc/contract_award_sf_33_and_sections_a_through_j_through_section_j_table_of_contents_1_redacted.pdf">Contract Award SF 33 and Sections A through J through Section J Table of Contents 1 redacted</a></li> <li><a href="contracts/asc/copy_of_section_j_attachment_7_assignable_subcontracts_leases_charters_and_operator_agreement_listing_1_redacted.pdf">Section J Attachment 7 Assignable Subcontracts Leases Charters and Operator Agreement Listing 1 redacted</a></li> <li><a href="contracts/asc/section_j_attachment_1_award_fee_plan_1_redacted.pdf">Section J Attachment 1 Award Fee Plan 1 redacted</a></li> <li><a href="contracts/asc/section_j_attachment_2_performance_work_statement_1_redacted.pdf">Section J Attachment 2 Performance Work Statement 1 redacted</a></li> <li><a href="contracts/asc/section_j_attachment_8_surveillance_plan_1.pdf">Section J Attachment 8 Surveillance Plan 1</a></li> 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